Religious education, not necessarily Christian. I think there is a place for religious education when it is multifaith and informing rather than preaching.

I was looking up compulsory RE in the UK and found this

http://ks4options.ypant.co.uk/?page_id=2270

"So why study RE?

SKILLS:

...Critical thinking..."

That's just a reference to Stephen Harper.

I completely agree. It's a big deal to a lot of people so some understanding and awareness would be a good idea.

My kids took photos around our town for a school project but were not allowed to include a photo of a church.

The Education Act 1944, and the Education (Scotland) Act 1945 both require State Schools to start the day with a religious ceremony. Religious Instruction is also to be provided but parents can contract out.

Political correctness gone mad, innit.

It seems to me that education about religion is important. Lesson one, might start: "some people have irrational beliefs and, as a consequence, discriminate against and even murder people having other irrational beliefs. Fortunately, many of the holders of irrational beliefs wear signifiers so we can avoid them. Let's look at the weird outfits they dress up in and how we might use those looks for Halloween".

When I was going through Primary and Grammar school in the 80s/90s there were "RE" classes (compulsory) and at the morning assemblies there were hymns and prayer. All protestant related of course...none of that Catholic nonsense in controlled schools in N.Ireland

Cut out the religious bits? What a preposterous idea. So you're saying that things like the Protestant Reformation shouldn't be taught?

Whats a Protestant? Come to think of it whats a catholic or any other label put on a person who is a believer of a certain religion. If there was no religion and everyone was treated the same then we might not have as many problems across the world.
Sure some would argue that teaching kids about religious history etc might avoid past mistakes but others would argue teaching them won't stop it completely.
Hypothetical situation the whole world freezes in time and all religious teaching are erased from our brains and there are no records of religion existing.
Muslims free to eat a hot dog if they so wish and women allowed to work, vote and wear clothing that they choose.
Sean from the Falls Rd can meet his buddy William for a drink on the Shankhill Rd
No arranged marriages or can only marry this caste person
I can work on a Saturday or a Sunday
I don't have to pay any tithes (one tenth) but still pay government taxes.

I think the UK is gradually becoming a Muslim State. Personally, I think religion is a personal thing between an individual and their God. Church is a place for this, not schools. In my humble opinion, religion should not be forced on people either, you either believe or you don't, and folks should just live and let live.