All very true, Paul, but you forgot to mention the education, the caring for the sick and the leprosariums which have been a feature of Catholicism.

We should have some balance.

Okay Is Mise, The Little Sisters of the Sick looked after the leapers I'll concede them a 'Brownie Point' for that. Balance would be the real truth of the countless crimes which have been perpetrated over the centuries in the name of the Christian god.

Paul, you are an anti religious bigot. Christianity has not killed one person ever, just like atheism has not killed one person ever. "Isms" don't kill, bad people kill. If you claim any Christian murders, then you are admitting the person is not a Christian (without realising it) as murder goes against ALL teachings of Christianity. You really need to educate yourself.

I'll repeat myself just in case you don't get it: If any person goes out and deliberately murders, that person is not a Christian.

Paul

your ignorance of Christ and His teachings show exactly why religion should be taught in schools. A generation with the amount of ignorance or deceit that you sprout is frightening. No wonder we have tens of thousands of guilt free baby murders each year in this nation.

We have Paul1405 pushing against one religion alone - and then some wanting a 'token talk' about religion in public schools (like Foxy). This to me is not good. There was a discussion on the ABC Q&A program last year with four to five different religions on stage and it was good to see them together as it breaks down the barriers about religion in principle.

Hateful or airy fairy principles are not what education should be about when discussing religion. I recently found a private Christian school with philosophy as a subject - but what about public schools? Not everyone student wants Jay of Melbourne's attitude - but still wants to stay in general schooling.

Dear Nathan,

I entered this discussion in good faith and at no
time did I suggest any "token talk." And it is mendacious
of you to suggest it. Afterall you might not agree with
my views - but don't infer something that I did not say.
That is not an acceptable form of debating. What I did
say was that teaching about various religions goes a
long way towards broadening out tolerance and understanding.
But religious instruction belongs in religious schools.
Not in state schools. There is a gap of difference between
the two - and there is nothing "token" about learning about other religions. The more we learn the
greater our understanding -
except of course for those with closed minds who think that
their religion is the one and only. And anyone with a different
point of view is "bad." Sounds a bit like my old teacher -
Sister Mary Virgilius.