I am extremely disappointed that the Labor government continues to support the School Chaplaincy Program. When Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door I am free to talk to them or send them away. However, a schoolchild does not have that freedom to reject a person in authority. The School Chaplaincy Program involves coercion to hear the missionising of a particular faith.

I think religion should be taught in the school system as it is part of our culture. However, indoctrination in a particular religion and teaching what different faith communities believe and practice are two very different matters. On the back of the book, "The Chaplaincy Phenomena", is a statement by Duncan Brown, former CEO of Scripture Union Queensland which has supplied many the school chaplains. Brown states:

"School Chaplaincy is a feeder ministry - it is a way of directly targeting potential Christians and bringing them to God and into the church environment. If we don't spend time investing in this ministry now, our churches will suffer the consequences of an ageing population base unable to support its initiatives."

Duncan Brown makes it quite clear that he regards the School Chaplaincy Program as a missionary effort. Equating this effort with "bringing them to God" ignores the fact that non-Christians such as Jews and Muslims have already been brought to God.

The School Chaplaincy Program has no place in a pluralistic democratic society. I am extremely disappointed in the Labor government for continuing a Howard initiative of this kind. Government subsidising of a missionary effort to a captive population of school children should be stopped.

Dear David,

I thought that this was a voluntary program.

It was up to the schools to request it - and how it was going to be used.

Am I wrong in thinking this?

Any christian teaching or preaching is good. I remember with fondness the scripture we had at Ballina High in the 60's. We got to know about the high road and the low road of life and looking back I wished I had listened more closely. Nowadays Im a born again christian and live on that high road and have learned much about what those grand old scripture teachers were on about. The Power is in Gods Word and the preaching of it unto the salvation of souls. Maybe as the years unfold some of you folks will see the huge events the Bible spoke about, even some 2,000 or so years ago, coming to pass you will be thankful for the comfort the Bible and christian fellowship gives.
All of history is being wrapped up. Check out signs that we are in the end times.

The government put the program in place to cater for all walks of life and beliefs and its not mandatory for anyone to stay or listen.

I am strongly against it and in my opinion, all religion's should come with a warning label on it.

Love comes from the parents and not a book.
Right and wrong comes from the parents and not a book.
All humans are born with love and so do other forms of life.etc Dog, cat, and many more.

None of my children believe and I have let them look at both sides of the story, and judge for themselves. They are happy and productive and no god was need.

So please tell me what the plus IS.

Lets set the record straight here..

SCHOOL CHAPLAINS DO NOT have any compulsory aspects to their work.

They are there as an 'available' resource for spiritual guidance IF.....a child requests it..and ALSO they are there simply to be a reference point IF....the child requests it....

David F.. please get facts straight before trying to portray Christians in schools as some kind of predatorial religious pariah.

NOTE also..they are there as a result of our democratic system at work.
IF you wish to change that, then feel free to try, but whatever you do, DON'T do it with lies or misrespresentations.. thankx

Dear Boaz and Foxy,

The school chaplaincy is voluntary, but politicians such as those in my shire of Moreton Bay put pressure on schools to accept the programs. Boaz, 'predatory pariahs' are your words. I merely called them missionaries as that is how they have characterised themselves. It is good for children to have a figure in school that they can feel free to come to. However, I wish Christians would try to imagine how they would feel if that figure were atheist, Jewish, Muslim or other than Christian and were committed to spreading their viewpoint. The public schools are not just for Christians. They are for all people in our society. Those who wish sectarian education and sectarian authority figures have many non-public schools to choose from. As far as Christianity being equated with something good people of other convictions equate those convictions with the good.