Dear McReal,

I apologise for exclusion of the red herrings made of straw lying in the middle of the fallacious dichotomy. I will try not to do it again.

I take your point though about side issues, even though relevant, are not what the article is focusing on. I was just going with the flow really. I choose...spurious claims about Western literature.

A history lesson: As the UK was being bombed by the Germans there was a telegraph sent from the front line with 3 words "But if not". Everyone knew what it meant. If no one can tell me what they were referring to (it'll even be a challenge with Lord Google) then I feel my case connecting the importance of the Bible and western history will have been proved, as well as the need for more Scripture classes available through online opinion.

This discussion is falling into the trap of arguing against what opponents of SRE have specifically *not* said.

Let me reiterate so that any future posts which misrepresent the opponents' position can be seen for what they are - rank dishonesty of the type we have seen too often from people and organisations which purport to be the last bastion of Australian 'values'.

Opponents of SRE do not advocate that schools should be religion free zones. We do not advocate that children should never be exposed to religious beliefs, or to the role of religion (both good and bad) in world history, art, literature, politics, culture etc. No one is trying to deny our children their 'cultural heritage'.

But, to suggest that what is being taught in SRE classes by volunteer teachers amounts to 'theology' or 'cultural history' is just laughable. Reading scripture to kids, getting them to colour in pictures of Jesus on the cross, or telling them that they will go to hell if they don't accept Jesus as their personal saviour is not teaching cultural history - it's proselytising, fear-mongering and taking advantage of impressionable young people behind their parents' backs. We know what is going on in SRE classes because teachers, students and their parents are speaking out - and they're not happy.

By all means, let's teach kids about religions - all religions. Let's also teach them about the pagan cultures from which so much of our culture derives. And let their education include an appreciation of humanism, atheism, agnosticism, rationalism and secularism - not to indoctrinate them but to let them understand that there is a broad range of ways in which Australians make sense of their world and work to make it a better place.

I repeat. We are not suggesting censorship on religion in Australian schools. We are just trying to keep fundamentalist extremists away from vulnerable kids. If that makes us 'militant' then so be it.

A good article, Rob. The voice of a vocal few should not drown out the good that teaching about Jesus in classrooms has had over the years, and continues to have, for our society.

Much more often these days, people want society to be like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story - they want the freedoms that come from living in a society based on Christian values, but apparently don't want those Christian values to be taught. This, I believe, is a slippery road to moral decay within our society and a path for which I believe future generations will regret.

SRI opponents denying kids their cultural heritage?
What cultural heritage exactly are we denying our kids ?
The one that show disrespect to teachers and authority ?
The one that feels it is OK to improve our standing by putting others down ?

This is a cartoon/ comic from Access Ministries it is part of the teaching kit that they give out to students in our schools.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5249/5685211631_1bfa4f384f_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5685210551_93eee38797_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5685778014_101e37260f_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/5685212685_09d33a2d92_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5685208521_93ea1877fa_z.jpg

It is had to imagine that it is complimentary to teachers or that it shows due respect for the difficult job they do.

It does not even teach children the proper channels to use if they are being bullied at school or the proper way for teachers to be dealing with bullies.

This is the kind of fundamentalist rubbish that SRI teachers are pushing on our kids and it is not good enough.

Christianity is a part of our cultural heritage, but then so is Roman and Greek history, and yet I don't see anyone calling for this being called into the SRI curriculum. Secondly, "Christian Values" are not in any way exclusive to the Christian faith, and are echoed in almost every other faith, and non faith based communities.

The opponents of SRI don't object children of faith getting their education, but that it is compulsory, with the only alternative being a non educational baby sitting time waster.

If SRI were an extra curriculum activity, the objections would fall away.

These articles are repetitive and remind me of little more than a child whining about not being allowed to have any candy. They always beg the question -

If religious education/indoctrination is that crucial to your child, why aren't they getting it at home?

If anything, it is an admission of parents too lazy to do any parenting. They're *your* children, not *ours*. Do whatever you please in your own home or church, but leave *our* kids in peace.