Faith schools - Do they have a place in society today?

[ST]

I understand I am touching on a sensitive subject here, which is why I will keep it in general terms and try not to delve into specifics (to prevent thread closure and discrimination). But this topic is certainly becoming more and more relevant to Australia each day as a broader range of cultures and faiths are assimilated into our own.

Are faith schools relevant in Australian society today? Do they have a place in our expanding and diversifying country?

I'm sure each of you here can name at least 5 different faiths off the top of your head, each of which most likely has a presence of some kind in our country (no matter how big or small). Now i'm sure most here give respect and understanding (to their best ability) to those who walk different paths to their own. I'm also pretty sure most wouldn't object to this open-mindedness being carried out in school?

Now this is where the dilemma comes in, we are a nation predominantly devoted to one religon (which I need not specify). The majority of our 'private' schools are of this faith and the majority who attend it are also of the same faith. Others who attend these schools that don't follow that particular belief system don't really have their say and have to conform to certain aspects of a faith which they don't follow (a faith based school assembly for example).

But at the same time they don't have to attend these schools so this point can be disregarded in a way. However it still leaves the problem of dominant faith in certain schools. Does this create barriers and separate children/teenagers from a more diverse and accepting environment?

For example, in most public schools you will find a broad range of pupils of vastly different cultural and religious backgrounds, whereas in the majority of 'private' schools you will not. Students at a public school will interact with others who don't have the same beliefs and will develop a much more personal understanding and respect for them.

Is this not a crucial part of the future of Australia as a multicultural and accepting country? What negative impact would it have if faith schools became part of past history?

(Please try to refrain from targeting specifics so we can keep the discussion going)

[pottery beige]

stop thinking too much your head will hurt.....

[Mickxr8]

i`m against single religion schools. (as per OP request i wont go into details). but what you learn in school pretty much determines the rest of your life.. i think its better for kids to learn amongst a broader section of society,hopefully getting a better understanding and getting along a bit better.. don`t get me wrong. douesn`t mean i`ll like it haha ! But ...

[adelaidecrows02]

If I am rambling it's because I have had a nice sunday session. Before I comment I would like to say that I dont have a god, and wont be pushed into having one - having said this, my wife is italian, and as such is a strict catholic.

A few things here - you have stated that "we are a nation predominantly devoted to one religon (which I need not specify)" - at the risk of getting flamed I think it is important that you do specify as our culture confuses faith vs religion. There is no mere predominately devoted religion as there are a number of religions that come under one faith, and statistics show that Catholics are only a few % ahead of Anglicans under the faith of cathololicism. Added to this you state that "The majority of our 'private' schools are of this faith and the majority who attend it are also of the same faith". Again this could cause confusion, because again faith and religion are totally different.

Sorry to be picky, but you need to clarify.

Now - Respect for the person, and respect for the culture are 2 different scenario's. Kids can grow up being someone's best mate, but it doesnt necessarily mean they are going to have respect for that person's culture. Whilst I understand the need for our future to be educated in the acceptance of all cultures, it firstly needs to start at home and then schools. Parents and siblings are the first people that young children trust and respect, so obviously, regardless of their best mate at school, they are going to want to follow their life mentors. It is then up to our schools, and the cirriculum, to ensure that our children are getting the right balance of education, be it religion or scholastic, along with life education. If schools cant do this, regardless of their faith, then we are in real trouble. Dont forget the majority of our wars and subsequent death have been a result of religion.

Faith Schools - do they have a place in our society? Absolutely. Our country presents itself as one as having a freedom of choice and freedom of speech. If Australians ( and this includes migrants) cant have the choice of education and/or religion then our society is infected.

[ST]

I intentionally used the word faith in place of religion to avoid running in to trouble with moderators. So you can fill the gaps as necessary.

Also as far as the dominant religion goes I am not specifying different branches and sects, I am generalising and putting the two together for the sake of simplicity.

[adelaidecrows02]

Sorry, but there is no simplicity as Christians have been fighting each other for centuries.

[ST]

...Please for the sake of the discussion at hand accept my apology for lumping the two together.

[adelaidecrows02]

^^ I would like to restate that I have no religion, I am agnostic

[adelaidecrows02]

Please there is no need to an apology, as you have put forward an interesting topic for discussion/debate. I just dont see the need to hide behind a curtain, when you arent flaming any particular religion.

[ST]

I did not insinuate that at all, I just wasn't sure if you had taken offense to my generalisation. I more or less meant for it as a means to move ahead and continue discussion on the main topic.

[Geez Louise]

And this is why political or religeous threads are not allowed as per this sites T&C. Everyone has their own opinions on the topic and it never ends well....

[adelaidecrows02]

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

And this is why political or religeous threads are not allowed as per this sites T&C. Everyone has their own opinions on the topic and it never ends well....

With all due respect I guess that freedom of speech in a rational manner doesnt extend to all mediums....

[ST]

^Granted that could apply to pretty much any thread on the forums I think we are doing pretty well so far.

[zetec]

No it doesn't, which is why I give this thread about 5 more minutes...

[adelaidecrows02]

Originally Posted by zetec

No it doesn't, which is why I give this thread about 5 more minutes...

+23min and counting. Reminds me of a signature that says "quality posts".

Anyways, I think that I answered the initial question without flame and disrespect, and also includes an opinion that can actually be included in the discussion.....

[duaned]

Originally Posted by ST

Are faith schools relevant in Australian society today? Do they have a place in our expanding and diversifying country?

[ST]

Originally Posted by duaned

Pretty much why I have put it up for discussion on a forum...

[pottery beige]

i somehow feel like someone has knocked on my door in an attempt to ruin my sunday afternoon......

[Rodp]

Recent program aired out of Britain called 'Faith School Menace' which succinctly sums up my feelings on the matter. Religious teachings and school should be separated.

[wrongwaynorris]

Originally Posted by Rodp

Recent program aired out of Britain called 'Faith School Menace' which succinctly sums up my feelings on the matter. Religious teachings and school should be separated.

Absolutely we are smart enough to seperate religion and government why not education and indoctrination ? There was a period in world history when religion ruled , it was called the Dark Ages . More people have been killed on this planet in the name of religion than any other reason . Also it gauls me to know some of my tax goes to fund these ( largely ) elitist schools whos boards , principals ,teachers and especially students parents look down their noses at the people who subsidise them and their lifestyle choices .

[RG]

I see nothing wrong with people exercising personal choice and groups/sectors catering to said beliefs.

Far be it for anyone here to have the right to judge anyone based on their personal beliefs.

[SVTVNM]

I am Greek Orthodox, went to a Anglican private School never was faith /relegion pushed on anyone but was there as you would expect, education was without doubt the primary goal.

[SVTVNM]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

Absolutely we are smart enough to seperate religion and government why not education and indoctrination ? There was a period in world history when religion ruled , it was called the Dark Ages . More people have been killed on this planet in the name of religion than any other reason . Also it gauls me to know some of my tax goes to fund these ( largely ) elitist schools whos boards , principals ,teachers and especially students parents look down their noses at the people who subsidise them and their lifestyle choices .

Dont generalize to much not everybody that attends a private school is a snob, I attended a school based in central Victoria mainly made up of kids from farming communities, private schools do serve a purpose, I myself benefited greatly by the attention payed to students and as a border for 4 years, some of the best days of my life. On the other hand my sister completed her secondry school in the public system and turned out fine and has been a pharmacist for over 15 years.
On another note our taxes go to many things we dont agree with and worse things.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

Absolutely we are smart enough to seperate religion and government why not education and indoctrination ? There was a period in world history when religion ruled , it was called the Dark Ages . More people have been killed on this planet in the name of religion than any other reason . Also it gauls me to know some of my tax goes to fund these ( largely ) elitist schools whos boards , principals ,teachers and especially students parents look down their noses at the people who subsidise them and their lifestyle choices .

Education and "indoctrination" is seperated in schools. In fact the way it is gives choice to parents of children. If you wish your kid to have a faith upbringing there are schools available. If you prefer not, then there are schools available. So what is the issue?

Some people believe their beliefs are worth fighting for (as misguided as some of those reason are and have been). In ALL faiths there are extremists that only represent a very small part of their respective faith, that cause big issues. As there are a small number of extremists who feel the need to push their views against people of faith.
And besides your should know that speed is the greatest killer on the planet!! Haven't you been listenning to our government?! ;)

Some of the taxes from those that send their kids to "elitists" schools, goes towards funding public schools.
Actually if your into segregating classes of people, I think you might find that those whose send there kids to private schools actually contribute more per head in taxes to the goverment coffers, than those who choose public schools and the majority of those funds slated for education are sent the public school way.

[Fled74]

I do believe faith schools have a place in Australia.

I was raised Catholic and went to a Catholic school and university. Now I'm not overly religious, but am fairly spiritual, and I don't judge others based on their beliefs. My Catholic education taught me religious tolerance, and there was no "indoctrination". Mind you, this was back in the Philippines, the only Southeast Asian country whose population is over 80% church-going Catholic.

[JazManXII]

i dont really see it as an issue as long as in these institutes they teach at least how to be civil with other religions

[JC]

The things I look for in a school:


1. They teach the kids properly (spell words as they appear in a dictionary, not how they sound in your head)
2. They have discipline and teach respect for others
3. They encourage participation in sport
4. They encourage each child to participate generally

Have not found a public/state school locally that offers the above, so "Faith" based school all the way for me. Plus we want our kids to learn about our faith at school, as well as at home.

[zdcol71]

Seems to me this is in essence a question of the pros and cons of public versus private education.Based thus, this topic doesn't really need to have anything to do with race ,creed , religion or otherwise.

[Mr Hardware]

Nearly always do i find that people who have a problem with private schools never went to one, and make an awful lot of assumptions.

I went to both - state and catholic. All i can say is the catholic school met the four points JC talks about where as state didn't.
At the catholic school I learnt more about other religions than I did catholicism - and i'm not catholic.

[Mad_Aussie]

I was told by Mrs Lamb that I should sit outside during scripture, because asking questions that make other children question the word of god is not productive to the lesson. I promptly told her that my imaginary friends are better than her imaginary friend, because my one has more arms and legs and can make goats catch on fire.

Incidentally, they also stopped inviting me go to sunday school.