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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I just hope I'm getting my crossbow for christmas.
Why don't they teach them about other religions? Why not mention the muslim religion or the ancient greek religions or the roman religions or the old scandinavian religions? Why only christianity?
Teaching religion is fine, just as longs as it isn't just one religion...and no preaching either.
I'm against the whole compulsory thing when it comes to religion. Either you believe or you don't.
Since religion is only a personal belief and should not be forced on anyone. Also some just want nothing to do with it, much like myself.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence - Carl Sagan
Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.
Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.
You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.
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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I agree with him, to a point.. The bible should be taught alongside all other so called Holy books. Give kids the viewpoint of all, including the Atheist viewpoint and then let them decide for themselves.
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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,"
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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 4:48 pm
True to a point. But we cannot deny the impact that Christianity has had in shaping our society. So if we were to teach a few Religions in a comparative way, then surely we would look at Christianity, Islam and the other major Religions.
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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 5:00 pm
"teaching" theology ain't.
EvF
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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 5:09 pm
If I had any position of power within the Government, I would establish a broad syllabus for Religious Education that consisted of looking at different religions, their origins and history. As well as the effects they have had on modern human history.
Which is about as secular as it gets..
True religious indoctrination should be left away from schools! If yo want your child to be a Christian I am sure your local church has a Sunday school! But with the state of affairs in the UK, we (sadly) openly pay for the growth of religion through Religious schools via our taxes...
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RE: All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says.
December 20, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Nah religious schools get a hell of a lot of money from donations. They bolster the state system. & what you describe sounds exactly what we have in mainland UK now.
