Faith Schools- an opinion

Both of my children attend one of our local infant schools and as a family we are happy with the education they are receiving and with the schools approach to learning. The same can't be said for everyone and only last week I spoke to a good friend of mine who has been placed in a very difficult situation.

It is that time of year where parents around the country are finding out which schools their little ones have been allocated. For the lucky ones, they will have been offered a place at their first choice school, for others the future holds less positivity, much like my good friend. Opinions differ from each person you speak to but my friend has been allocated a place at one of our faith schools; a school which was not on her priority list and a school which, as a fervent atheist, she has no intention of sending her child to.

Expecting a  family of no religious persuasion to send their child to a catholic school, where daily worship and unquestioned faith in God is part of their working week, is a tall order and I can understand my friend's anger and concern. Many faith schools have a good reputation and are often sought after but what about those parents who believe in allowing their children to have a free mind, to be open to all options and to decide themselves as they grow older? 

Is it fair to indoctrinate our children in to a specific faith at the age of four without allowing them to question and explore alternatives?

In the past, former education minister Sam Galbraith begun the national discussion about faith schools, believing them to be the root cause of sectarianism and bigotry, and called for them to be scrapped. In turn, Lord Steel blamed Catholic Schools for perpetuating the religious divide and also called for their phasing out.

On the other side of the arguement. only a few months ago Michael Gove launched a passionate defence of faith schools, encouraging them to become 'academies' and maintain their status.

What are your opinions and experiences on the suubject. Should faith schools still be an option in this day and age?