The thing is that most of the major religions are evangelistic and require their members to convert others if they possibly can. I've been accosted many times by Muslims persuading me to become one too, as otherwise my husband shouldn't be associating with me (!) and certainly not married to me. Christians too feel obliged to turn everyone else into Christians. It's part and parcel of religion to gain adherents at every opportunity.

I've attended two humanist funerals fairly recently and found them very moving and appropriate. They celebrated the lives of the deceased and music was played which expressed their achievements and interests.

You're right Jeri, no-one should be sneering at anyone else simply because they feel superior in their beliefs.

However, lessons about all the religions are in my view very useful in helping children understand different cultures and practices. That way, we all know about eachother and knowledge begets tolerance. I had to learn about Diwali and Passover etc when I was teaching, in order to cover the topics in RE. I was actually quite ashamed at how ignorant I was. It wasn't about converting anyone, but explaining and removing any prejudices.