claimed yesterday.

The parent, who asked not to be named, said her ten-year-old son had missed out on countless school activities, including morning assemblies, over the years because they were Christian-based.

In a letter to Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons, she urged him to consider "allowing all children in Bermuda their right to freedom of religious expression''.

She said this can only be achieved when religious expression of a solely Christian nature is no longer permitted.

"While I realise that the vast majority of children in schools on this Island come from Christian homes,'' she wrote, "there are also hundreds of other children who come from homes that practise other religions.'' She said while the Education Ministry's official mandate states that religious instruction of a "nondenominational nature'' shall be included in the school curriculum, "the reality is that at all schools on this Island students say Christian prayers, sing Christian hymns and recite Christian blessings''.

"This is obviously an affront to the practice of democracy and essence of human rights that one can no longer hide behind this excuse.'' She suggested the Ministry "follow its own mandate by having religious instruction of a nondenominational nature practised in schools''.

This means children would not specifically mention Jeses or specific prophets, but refer to a generic Lord and should be taught there are many religions in the world.

Mr. Simons said: "Government respects the rights of all people to worship according to their conscience.'' Under the Education Act collective worship and religious instruction are required to be taught in school.

But students can be excused from school to attend religious ceremonies, such as Mass, and parents can come into the school to give their children religious instruction with room made available for them.

But he said: "Bermuda is a predominant Christian Society so it is no surprise that Christianity is taught in schools.

"It is important to recognise that in Bermuda we do not have this big separation between church and state as in the US.

"I think most people see value in these practices continuing. But I think we also should be tolerant to those of other religions.'' He said while considering other changes to the Education Act his Ministry will look "more closely'' at including comparative religion.