mhaze,

Small sample anecdotes when you don’t even understand the complexity involved does not mean anything. There are thousands of Christian fundamentalist chaplains in state schools and religious education classes are common. Even though these are two distinct situations they demonstrate to children that they are accepted by the schools and government. Kids believe adults and some of these ‘instructors’ do give the hell message. They should not be in state schools period as the potential zealotry is well known about. Read the mission statements of Access Ministries.

If the chaplains and religious instructors were Muslim, atheists or Nazis, (Nazis were Christian) would you still agree to this system.

You mean tyrannical communist ideologies that did not like competition from the churches. This argument is so weak as to be non-existent. What has this to do with atheism freely chosen in a democracy? I despair at your gullibility.

Uneducated people see the world in uneducated terms. It has nothing to do with be closer to nature. That is nonsense. They are scientifically illiterate and that is why they are still slaughtering children as witches in Africa.

Here is what you said about science defeating religion.

“ I wonder whether your applauding science for having defeated religion may be a case of premature congratulations :).”
And here is what I said, "It is only in your mind that science is applauding itself for defeating religion."

Here is your latest reply to that.

“Well since that's not what I said at all, it probably isn't in my mind. You've spent so much time putting words in my mouth I've had to increase my dental hygiene regime.”

So, exactly what words did I place in your mouth? It's obvious, your increase in dental hygiene was nowhere near enough?

I hope you can do better than this.

David

sonofgloin,

My prediction was correct then. I just love the way you skirt nearly every comment and question and make out you are in control. It's obvious that inside you are in panic mode but have to try and maintain a show of strength. Very macho but better you than me.

And you can't even come up with an original idea about visiting another forum. You would get intellectually slaughtered over there, worse than you have here, and you know it.

It would be for your benefit to at least think about what others are saying. There is no shame in being wrong but there is in maintaining stubborn falsehood.

David

David,

Thank you for clarifying that point.

I do understand that in your position in the Atheist Foundation it is exigent for you to promote your cause in the same way as a Priest vicar or any other religious leader would promote theirs.

Not quite sure how the polling booth can define anything other than politics, as I thought we had a separation of church and state in Australia.

Whichever party wins the next election, one would sincerely hope that parents will first and foremost pay attention to a party which can provide a better level of education for their children, and a stable future for themselves.

ALoAI>> sonofgloin,

My prediction was correct then.<<

Thank god for that David. You are good at predictions. Perhaps you should rename the incorporated to "Australian Prediction Society".

worldwatcher,

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but there is no official or unofficial separation of church and state in Australia. If there was there would be no chaplains in state schools and no religious indoctrination classes in state schools and no financial assistance to private schools not following the state school curriculum and abiding by the laws regarding discrimination.

This is why religious leader are vehemently opposed to formalising the separation of church and state. It has nothing to do with an ethical stance, it is plainly and simply wishing to hang on to the privileges they now enjoy. And they are taking Australia for a ride whilst doing it.

My point about voters making a choice at the polling booth is that if a politician shows that she/he votes for faith initiatives not supported by empirical evidence or the electorate then that should be taken into account. Why anyone would vote for a politician who represents her/his religion in preference to the electorate on any matter is beyond me. But, unfortunately it happens.

Sometimes I really do wonder how the democracy we have actually happened.

David

David,

I lost my post to you. Have to start over, and be more careful with the buttons.
I wasn't aware that religous education was still a part of the curriculum in all state schools, especially as we now have a growing Muslim population.

I only have known one school chaplain. She informed me that her job was similar to that of a school counselor. We have now lost touch, but I don't know how she jumped from school bus driver to chaplain with no qualifications. Unless we count the time she paid for a few months tuition in the States which was run by some obscure sect many years ago.
This lady has at various times thought she could heal through 'laying on of hands'. Another time she claimed to talk in tongues and to be able to understand others who did this. Personally I see her as a danger to impressionable children, however well meaning she thinks she is.

You astound me David. One would think it logical to separate politics and religion. This then makes us no different than Muslims, where the two are so firmly entwined. And we're supposed to be a democratic society. How can we be that until politics and religion are separated? Now you're telling in effect that we have no choice in this matter.

If there is anyone from Singapore who reads this thread, I would very much like to know how they separate all their various religions from their politics.