Depite Mr. Tuohy bleating as one of Jesus’s flock, no one is suggesting children do not have the right to learn about Jesus and his supposed miracle status. However, Christians do not have the right to preach their particular religious views onto those of different denominations, faiths or those who wish to avoid ancient superstitions. In Victoria 97% of Special Religious Education is delivered by one evangelical Anglican organisation whose Mission Statement is to bring young children into the light of Yahweh’s judgemental love. This is an affront to all the Christian denomination who do not believe as Access Ministries do, other faiths who hold different views of the supernatural realm, and those who wish to keep their feet firmly planted in reality. Faith should remain a personal choice, and not be mandated by Government.

Moreover, Mr. Tuohy seems to completely misunderstand what secularism actually is. While Christians seem to have a deep desire to be the persecuted majority, the reality is a secular education prevents the radicalisation within religions by exposing them all to brutally equal treatment. Currently, one slim view of “god” is presented to children under the cloak of truth. If Mr. Tuohy was sincere about his desire for faiths to be openly discussed, he would be demanding equal time for all faiths within the class room instead of defending the existing monopoly.

Lastly, if Mr. Tuohy believes the Bible is “beauty, wisdom, poetry” will he let me read passages to his children? I have a few lovely passages where god personally kills millions, instructs his chosen people to murder all who oppose them, and force his enemies to eat their own children. Of course, they don’t teach you these things in Sunday school.

"The Bible is the most influential and inspiring book in the history of humanity"

Well that perfectly illustrates Tuohy's arrogance in pushing his own views, and wanting to harness schools to his cause.

Would you mind if Muslims and atheists were given equal time Nicholas? But where would that end?

I agree with everything said earlier by Chrys S.

Religious Instruction in schools should be moved to outside school hours on an opt-in basis and fully funded by whichever religious organization is conducting it.

I also think comparative religious studies, within the mainstream curriculum, is a good optional subject, but high school is soon enough for this. Primary school teachers already struggle for contact time to teach the basics.

One word: projection. The Age is trying to force the Gospel of Marx and Gaia Worship on all of us. Great article Nicholas.

Dear Nicholas,

Firstly, a great many thanks for getting behind the direct indoctrination of the purportedly magical Jew and our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! I especially like, “why shouldn’t children have the right to learn about Jesus and, if they so want, become a follower or, ready for it, a Christian”.

As you say, why not get to children when they still trust their elders enough to be properly indoctrinated into a divisive and bigoted belief system? Unfortunately, Christianity doesn’t stand up to intellectual scrutiny, so getting to them nice and young and ensuring that they NEVER QUESTION THE DOGMA is just so essential!

Secondly, Christian instruction classes under the guise of religious education was a brilliant initiative! Religious education, of course, would encourage children to look at the social, political, anthropological origins, historical and mythical aspects of all religions, and we don’t want that. Better that we teach kids only the good things that Christians have done (whilst also systematically denouncing all other religions as “pathways to hell”).

Thanks, Nicholas, for being a good Christian Soldier!

Warmest regards,

Jake Farr-Wharton

“Mr. Tuohy bleating as one of Jesus’s flock”
No need for ad hominem attacks…

“However, Christians do not have the right to preach their particular religious views”

Well, actually, in a liberal democratic society EVERYONE has the right to put forth their particular views. Unless of course you are opting for a police state where freedom of speech is removed?
Any faith group is allowed under the Act to offer RE classes- there is no favouritism or preference for Christians. Perhaps because Australia has a Judeo-Christian heritage and that 62% of Aussies call themselves Christian that there would be more Christians offering the classes.

“Faith should remain a personal choice, and not be mandated by Government.”

I agree. If you read the article this is what I argue: people should have the personal right to learn about Jesus and be a Christian if they so freely choose. Most importantly, no student is forced to participate in RE. If they or their parents do not want them to attend, there is no compulsion.

“secular education prevents the radicalisation within religions by exposing them all to brutally equal treatment”

What about exposing secularism to “brutally equal treatment”? You assume that it is some pure objective value-free system. Is it?

“equal time for all faiths within the class room instead of defending the existing monopoly.”

How would this work? There are at least 22 faiths/worldviews with over 500,000 adherents in the world. How do you cram all of that into 20 hours per year of RE? Furthermore, what about the thousands of sects, belief systems, etc. that fall under the 500,000 threshold?
It is incorrect that all faiths are equal. Would you want your children to join the Branch Davidian’s or Heaven’s Gate suicide cults? Of course not, but they are “faiths” and you say all faiths should have equal time.

The Bible has some challenging parts, for sure. But text, context, genre, and chronology are important to understanding ancient literature. You can’t dismiss the whole because some parts are challenging. And show me where Jesus condones the murdering of millions?