Does religion have a future? – ask schoolchildren at University meeting

MORE than 100 schoolchildren from West Sussex have given their views on the future of religion in the 21st-century.

An event saw 120 year-eight pupils met at the University of Chichester for the annual Youth SACRE conference, now in its third year, which challenges students to think about the role of religion in their lives.

The pupils attended seminars led by various speakers from different faith traditions and from secular perspectives, including a Jewish Rabbi, an Iman, a Quaker, a Christian, and those talking from scientific perspectives.

Professor Graeme Smith, who leads public theology at the University, said: “It was fantastic to see the pupils engage so enthusiastically with the most important question facing our global society. We heard a wide range of insightful and fascinating views, all in all it was a highly successful event.”

Pupils spent the final part of the day deciding how they will report back to their schools and lead further debates in assemblies and classes.

For more go to www.chi.ac.uk/humanities.