RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 4:29 pm
That's the problem though, you can't do that. Where do we stop? Do we teach Scientology, Paganism, Zoroastrianism?
You can try to give a viewpoint on all but at the end of the day you'll leave some out. This is what secularism maintains, the only fair solution is to not teach any of them. If people want to learn about religion, they can do it in their own time.
The only time I'd consider it is in a history class where it was a cultural reference that needed to be understood.
It's odd I find myself agreeing with a Muslim on this:
"It's one thing to say every child needs a good knowledge of history and geography or science," Dr Ali (Government Islam Advisor) said.
"But it is something else to say all children should have a knowledge of the Bible. That might hurt other people who have their own holy scriptures,"
You can try to give a viewpoint on all but at the end of the day you'll leave some out. This is what secularism maintains, the only fair solution is to not teach any of them. If people want to learn about religion, they can do it in their own time.
The only time I'd consider it is in a history class where it was a cultural reference that needed to be understood.
It's odd I find myself agreeing with a Muslim on this:
"It's one thing to say every child needs a good knowledge of history and geography or science," Dr Ali (Government Islam Advisor) said.
"But it is something else to say all children should have a knowledge of the Bible. That might hurt other people who have their own holy scriptures,"
