In my opinion, we can't do away with these pesky chaplains (whatever religion) fast enough. I mean, why would you want an extra person at schools caring for the children, listening to their concerns, meeting with the parents, providing meals to those in distress, using their own time (outside hours) and resources to assist those in need, etc.

We need less of this! Instead, put it all back on the teachers where it belongs.

The chaplain at my local high school does amazing work for/with the students, staff and families. She is highly regarded in the local community and much loved by the students. Take her out of the mix, and I can easily count more than 20 local families that will be significantly worse off.

But you're right. Better we get rid of all that rather than risk her mentioning the name of God in front of an unsuspecting student. After all, I'm sure that's her only motivation for what she does...

Philo said: "Do you intend to deny Christian teachers right to teach in Public Schools because they have influence over children. "

The problem is that the current policy does in practice deny non-religious teachers that right. The questions is not whether it would be right to discriminate against Christians, but whether it *is* right that the chaplaincy program discriminates against those who are not.

Poirot, while you were posting your link I took the liberty to copy parts of the speech from one of your earlier posts. Hope you don't mind.

Evonne Paddison, the CEO of Access Ministries would disagree with Tim Mander.

From a speech entitled 'Making Disciples in Every Generation' she said:

"The first step in becoming a disciple is clearly believing, but so many of our young people have never heard the gospel. They will not hear it unless we go and tell and make disciples of them."

"In Australia we have a God-given open door to children and young people with the Gospel, our federal and state governments allow us to take the Christian faith into our schools and share it. We need to go and make disciples."

"I believe that this is the greatest mission field we have in Australia: our children and our students. Our greatest field for disciple making."

"There is an enormous amount of Christian ministry going on in our schools, both at state level and at national level both in government and non government schools, but we must ask how much of that ministry is actually resulting in Christian conversion and discipleship growing and resulting in church growth?"

"There are 3.5 million students in Australia, not a bad mission field is it?"

"To minister to students is a cross cultural mission, and much of our thinking about ministry and schools has had the goal that our students will be contacted, converted and discipled...."

"Unfortunately, although some have been won to Christ, through the school ministry programs, not many have made a quantum leap to church."

Dear Philo

If any school teacher took it upon themselves to preach their religious beliefs to children then they would be reprimanded and possibly dismissed.

The problem is not with a persons beliefs it is with them being put in a position to use their beliefs to manipulate young children.

If schools were allowed to use this funding to employ secular guidance offices in the same manner as they employ teachers there would not be a problem.

It is that preferential treatment is given people of religion and people with no religion are excluded from the scheme that is causing the problems.

Tim tries to compare chaplains in schools with those in various other areas of adult life. There is no comparison. Adults are perfectly capable of making their own decisions about whether or not there is any truth to religious beliefs. Children are not. They will believe whatever an adult in a position of authority tells them. That is the very reason that Christians like the author are so keen on the chaplaincy program. It enables them to convert children before they are smart enough to realise what a load of garbage they are being sold.
If they are not there to proselytise, then why is the only necessary qualification for the job a religious one?
It would be like having a role as a "football" mentor. The only qualification is that you are a keen football player. However, you are not allowed to talk about or teach football. This would be a pretty bizarre role.
The article just shows the dishonesty of Christians, if this man is truly representative of Christians (and I believe he is). They appear to have little respect for the truth

Tim Mander is being disingenuous at best about proselytising in schools: what goes on is surreptitious proselytisation - groups with trendy "like wow kids isn't this great, you're so special" names and events. Chaplains by definition provide religious ministry.