wow, what an interesting Article to stumble upon on my way to bed.. plenty to think about. There's so many good comments on here and then there's some that are..well - without education.
Someone said Ethic classes would be good, well I agree - but who's ethics - they're all different.
What do I think, I don't really know. I do think that school should be about the mental, physical, social and spiritual education of our young people, and after all, havn't most Australians been bought up with RE? Have they all decided to follow it? I don't think so.I have had my fair share of abusive teachers for my children, but how are RE teachers doing harm? Maybe they should at least have some educational training, perhaps the same as teacher aids?
Chaplains are great, they listen, and if you have never needed to lend the ear of a friend then you would not understand. I have been a youth leader in the last few years and these poor kids are under unbelievable pressure, teachers are too busy to spend an hour listening a child cry. RE says you are special because you were created and are loved. The kids ask lots of questions.If you were bought up in a secure family and knew you had a place then that is great, but not all kids have that protection, I have seen some awful things and had to report some. Unless you get to the heart of the child you miss the message they quietly impart. Who will catch them when they fall certainly not their parents or the government? Kids with decent parents sleep well at night, but those with no blankets or food..who is going to tell them it's not ok? Do you judge reckless kids in the streets or do you get beside them? Just leave it alone, They will decide soon enough for themselves what they believe - you can disagree but I am out there and morals in their parents would change their lives. Choose for your own children but not for the country.

Chrys,

Your post indicates the poor sort of example those children must have received in their home environments. If anything they require more education in acceptable behaviour, rather than less.

I agree with Maranatha, one poor example does not a trend make, but rather a bias in some schools against anything outside their rigid syllabus. Your example is also indicative of an attitude of total self-interest which is becoming so prevalent in our "modernised" society, and which unfortunately is being passed on to the new generation.

Religious education must certainly be less exciting and interesting than playing video games, but what is the preferred example for opening up young minds to the real world and to the complex interpersonal relationships with which they will be faced in adult life?

askegg...yes, Nice article, thats typically drenched in the facts of forcing Supernatural on impressionable minds. Religions will use law or any means possible to keep the game going.

And these are the evolved and enlightened one,s...lol

The world see's them for that they really are, however the power they have to intimidate others in thinking their way, is no real surprise, it is:)

Leap

Shockadelic
"And now it's your turn."

How so?
How is the argument for SRI as a personal matter for the home/Church environment 'forcing' people to deny their religious beliefs?

You are the one advocating the forcing of SRI into the public school system, even with opt in-opt out arrangements. Do we have Islamic lunchtime classes, Bhuddist retreats for the weekends, Jewish teachings of the Talmud at recess. Maybe cake making on Wednesday lunch and origami Thursday.

There is already criticism of the failure of schools to raise the standards of literacy and numeracy, lets let educators concentrate on education. Pushing one particular religious philosophy without discussion other alternatives is dictatorial.

The resentment in this article stems from nothing more than a fear of losing power and influence over young and impressionable students. I would be arguing the same if there were any 'actual' militant atheists pushing for anti-religion classes or Atheist classes.

Real freedom comes from allowing personal values and belief systems to co-exist within the law, it is not about using the education system as a marketing tool.

"Explain Joan of Arc.
Explain the Sistine Chapel.
Explain the Teutonic Knights.
Explain Utah.Posted by Shockadelic"

Many of these topics can be discussed in history or social science as part of Comparative Religion and most importantly in the Church community.

Christians disagree about many aspects of the Bible and interpretations otherwise there would not be 1000s of different sects. Whose Christianity do we teach? Christians are not a homogenous bunch and each sect quite willing to criticise the other as in a recent article critical of the Uniting Church.

On the note of what makes religious education different from sex education, metal work, PE and science:

All the other subjects are life skills and expand a childs' knolwedge base- particularly about how things in society actually work, directly correspond to workplace considerations, are relevant to absolutely everyone regardless of faith;
These things make children smarter and less susceptible to being drawn into ridiculous cults or other dodgy social movements because they actually know better about how the world works.

The other is brushing up on theological stories relevant only to Christians, world history that most Christians don't even believe really happened, and moral guide such as hating gays regardless if they don't even do anything to you, perceiving Jews as villains and regarding safe sex contraceptives and abortions as evil (ensuring that those who do give into their sinful urges, do so without protection, increasing the possibility of disease transmission, orphans and wellfare recipients).

King Hazza....that deserves a stand ovation.

LEA