Squeers, McReal,
You both identify your communist agenda by the following statement. A belief that the State is right and absolute, Parents are not responsible for their childrens education. "The parent has no right to "instruct" his child, in my view, only to help her to think for herself".

In the above case I quoted the Chaplian cannot discuss a religious perspective other than give support to the child's perception. Similarly to deny the child's perception that his mother's spirit is with God because the counsel is given by an atheist she has no afterlife.

I say bring on the High Court Case and the Church schools will increase in enrollments if Chaplains are denied in Public Schools. It is the parents right and responsibility to educate theit children, contrary to the view of the Communists here.

Religion is a personal choice. It should not be forced onto children and families via Chaplaincy or RI programs.

These Chaplaincy Services are not voluntary, parents are not often asked if they want a religious based counsellor on staff. Why not put this money into improving remedial services to disadvantaged students or increasing counsellors to assist students in need.

I am sure many of the Chaplains are good and kind people wanting to do good in their communities, that is not in issue. It is simply that the premise of support should not come with an indoctrination agenda and we know that this is happening throughout various schools in Australia. Not all Chaplains are guilty of this but how does one police it?

As a parent I do not want anyone pushing their personal beliefs (religious or political) on my kids, neither do I want my kids being told they are sinners and being greatly affected by fear and retribution philosophies as was indicative of my parent's childhoods. Older children may be better equipped to sift through this information and use logic and rational thought processes but very young children take this stuff on board.

lol Philo! So now all atheists or non-Christians are all communists are they? That's a very out-dated view these days isn't it?

If one does not believe in fairy tales of unseen 'Gods', then one is certainly not going to believe in an afterlife!

If, as you assert, Chaplains are not going to promote religion in the public schools, then why does the Chaplain need to have the Christian teachings that are taught to them in order to become Chaplains?

Why then are Chaplains required in that role in a secular school, rather than a psychologist or Councillor?

>> Positive ethical values such as the Golden Rule of 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' are found in all philosophical traditions, religious and non-religious. This is because positive ethical values are the natural product of human evolution, not derived from any supernatural source. Each generation has a responsiblity to pass on these positive ethical values, and we consider this can be most effectively done by a combination of socialisation in the home and education in schools.
Rights to education

Reason Australia believes every child has the right to be educated to the full extent of their capacities. We therefore oppose any attempt by organisations to limit children's education, or to isolate children within closed communities.

We oppose the indoctrination of children into any particular religious doctrine before they are mature enough to consider alternatives and make up their own minds. We believe children should be taught critical thinking in order to develop the capacity to decide for themselves what philosophical life stance, religious or non-religious, will guide their lives. <<

http://www.reasonaustralia.org/policies/secular-education

The following is a link to the High Court Challenge:

http://www.highcourtchallenge.com/

>> This matter concerns more people than the Williams family from Queensland. It concerns all Australians, of all faiths and none, who support the secular ‘wall of separation’ concept concerning church and state. This ‘wall of separation’ is required to safeguard our multicultural, multi-faith and non-faith liberal democracy that has become the hallmark of the civilised 21st century nation Australia rightfully claims to be. Mr. Williams recently said that since the announcement of his High Court challenge, moral and monetary support from appalled parents and concerned citizens Australia-wide has been as overwhelming as it has been heart-warming. <<

Philo, you have been the only sensible and reasonable protagonist in this thread and I respect your right to practice your religion.

Please don't spoil your form by propagating Formersnag's incoherent 'reds under the bed' paranoia.

Philo you have not answered my question about the communist nature of the teachings of Jesus, nor have you explained how many Christians are in fact communists. You seem to think that somehow Communism and Christianity are mutually exclusive when in fact they follow very similar principals that need not be mutually exclusive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_communism

Matthew 19:16-24 (the same event is also described in Mark 10:17-25 and Luke 18:18-25, )