Curious Christian

How long can Christian scripture teachers maintain their privileged position in the Australian schools system when our culture is becoming increasingly pluralistic?

Did you catch this story during the week?

ANY belief system could soon be taught in Queensland state schools following changes to the laws governing religious education.

The changes will allow any group – religious or not – to offer spiritual instruction to children, provided their parents agree.

The Beattie Government has pressed ahead with the changes despite the protests of Christian churches worried about marginalising religion in schools.

They are included in the recent overhaul of the Education Act, which will herald a new era for Queensland's 470,000 state school children.

Currently, state school students as young as five take part in religious education classes unless parents formally write to the school allowing them to "opt out" of the lessons.

Under section 75 of the Education (General Provisions) Bill 2006, due to be enacted this year, no student will attend religious education lessons unless their parents write to the school requiring them to do so.

And in line with anti-discrimination laws, religious education classes will no longer be taught solely by church representatives.

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And the response:

EDUCATION Minister Rod Welford has written to all Government MPs in a bid to quell concerns about proposed changes to the teaching of religious education in Queensland state schools.

Nervous backbenchers are worried they face a backlash from some Christian churches amid claims the laws could allow humanists and extreme religious groups access to school students.

Mr Welford will also address the issue at a caucus meeting on Monday in an effort to ease concerns.

But he has dismissed speculation that some Government MPs are willing to cross the floor to vote against the Bill.

He rejected suggestions that cults and witchcraft would be allowed to be taught in schools once the Bill had passed.

And he said parents and schools would have to approve the teaching of less popular belief systems.

"Nobody has indicated to me that they would cross the floor or are even contemplating it, and in this situation it would be foolish because there will be no material change to the current arrangements in schools," Mr Welford said.

"I’m aware there is still some nervousness . . . but the concerns undoubtedly stem from a misunderstanding of the legislation.

"As I said in my letter, students will continue to have access to religious education, and no other programs will be allowed to be taught unless they are approved by the director-general and supported by the school community."

But Liberal leader Bob Quinn said the current system was working and should not be changed.

"This Bill overturns 90 years of religious education in state schools," Mr Quinn said.

"The churches and other community groups are rightly concerned about how the Government is changing this and I’m not surprised that ALP backbenchers are voicing their concerns."

Some Labor MPs, who did not want to be named, said they had been contacted by right-wing groups worried that the teaching of Christianity could be eroded in state schools.

Under the current system, state school students attend religious education classes unless their parents ask the school to exempt them.

This will continue under the new laws and parents will be able to nominate their actual religion.

Various religious groups will be able to apply for permission to teach in schools and if their syllabus is approved by Education Queensland and requested at a school, they could hold classes provided the teachers have blue cards.

Groups such as the Hare Krishnas, Scientologists and Humanists have already expressed interest in teaching their beliefs in state schools.

Capalaba MP Michael Choi said he was concerned that the criteria for approval were too flexible and could allow extremists, including cults, to gain access to schools.

But he said he would express his views in the party room and not by crossing the floor of Parliament.

"I am happy with 99 per cent of the Bill," Mr Choi said.

"I am still thinking through a few possible solutions and the discussions are on-going.

"If I am not satisfied with the final solution to a level that warrants my endorsement, I may not support it in the caucus."

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