Hi Jewely,
I'd used my four posts here when I had the chance to reply yesterday.
None of my kids do RI. My oldest girl did last year purely because she wanted to be with her friends. But this year, happily, none of them want it. But there are Christians lying in wait all over their schools; RI, Strength and Shine programmes, social groups where children are groomed for the more intensive clubs and camps and evangelism they're seduced by outside school.
So was just me treating this thread in a light-hearted manner, but don't worry, I take their sneaky agenda in State schools very seriously.

Trav,

I'm still hoping you'll define your terms for me...

A variety of compromises have been put forward on this and the SRI thread http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=11980.

These have been (in no particular order):

1. Opt-in instead of opt-out of RI

2. RI be conducted by relevant religions in their place of worship - in addition to this, suggestions for out of school hours at schools by religious teachers.

3. Banning RI completely from state schools - there are religious schools available.

4. Chaplains be replaced by Psychologists and/or counselors.

5. Ethics be taught in a non-denominational structure.

6. Teaching of comparative religions.

All these suggestions have been met with dismissal by most (not all) regular self-professed 'christians'. I am using italics for the sheer lack of charity exhibited by these shrill uncompromising few. They do not want to negotiate, they cast aspersions on the values of those who disagree with them and simply behave like spoiled children.

I would like to add to the list above:

7. The art of negotiation and compromise.

Christianity receives a greater share of the teaching 'cake' than any other group, be they other religions or non-religious. I'm hoping the rapture does occur today (although it may be tomorrow given that the prediction was by an American minister on American time). Whatever, I doubt that any of the intolerant, uncompromising few will be 'enraptured'.

Welcome to hell.

From Getup:

Doris Daisy: Strange isn't it that the Government is spending millions to place religious chaplains in government schools yet religious schools like the one I work in provide trained counsellors. We wouldn't dream of sending a student who is suffering from depression to see the priest. Quite a reversal!

The link is here:

http://suggest.getup.org.au/forums/60819-campaign-ideas/suggestions/1096087-school-chaplaincy-program?page=6&ref=comment

My 6yo son was very dissapointed this morning to wake up and find no scorpions to battle with the coming of the rapture.

Neutral

Tell your son not to worry The Rapture is predicted on USA time - which means you son can fight the scorpions tomorrow.

BTW

I would like to make clear to all the religious people who have accused me of vitriol that I do not hate religion. Any religion.

I hate hypocrisy.

Go figure that out.

Oh yes, of course Ammonite!

So now he wants to go to America to protect them:)

Quite ironic when you think about it....

Anyway he seems happy enough battling the dog in the back yard.

Salt:”So many strenuously negative comments on this thread seem to reveal almost a confirmation of the author's assertion that Atheists seem to hold a vindictive view of anyone who believes in God - not only rejecting the notion of God, but also of all who believe.”

You calling others anti is interesting. I suspect the Christians would like to think of atheists as haters but mostly we’re just cruising along until other peoples beliefs try and mess with how we want to live and where our tax money turns up. My Christian and Muslim and Hindu mates never did that though and the quandary is they support organizations and churches that do. I’m going to carry on liking them anyways. Atheists have to forgive more often than anyone else.

Squeers:”So was just me treating this thread in a light-hearted manner, but don't worry, I take their sneaky agenda in State schools very seriously.”

I’m just learning about state schools here, high security fences, blocked out windows, parents not allowed in the corridors where they might get a glance of what their children are doing. Thank any given deity it’s now the weekend because on school days I want to cry loudly all the way there and all the way back sobbing and clutching each lamp post along the way while randomly screaming WHY DID YOU FORSAKE THEM.

Where have the family friendly joyful little schools gone?

Ammo:”The Rapture is predicted on USA time - which means you son can fight the scorpions tomorrow.”

I heard God was coming to pick up the 0 – 7 year olds and take them to heaven, I was wondering what the 8 year olds did wrong?