What is the ultimate test of whether a child is aware of his surroundings? According to the French parliamentary commission into biblical sects, it is realising that Zidane is a footballer. The commission made a snap visit to the biblical community known as Tabitha's Place near Pau, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and found 18 children who had no idea who Zidane was.

The children, aged between 6 and 16, were able to read but had no means of putting what they were reading into everyday context. Although in good health, the children were not registered for school and had been educated within the sect.

The commission said it was powerless to do anything because the sect was acting within the law regarding education at home. "There's no need to know about Zidane” said a spokesman for the community. "We do what we think best for our children. This is why we don't send them to school and instead, supply their education ourselves."

Zidane, of course...

From our December 2006 e-newsletter