Dogma has no place in our schools

Pastoral care is undoubtedly a worthwhile and necessary aspect of education in all Australian schools. Juliette Armstrong is to be commended for her challenge to the legality of discrimination against non-religious job applicants for pastoral care in government schools (Mike Seccombe, “The final challenge to religious chaplains”, May 19–25). However, the religious right are continuing to build divides by promoting legislation for greater funding of specific religious instruction in schools. This can only reinforce religious prejudice. Ignorance of the foundation of beliefs of people with different religious affiliations is the source of suspicion and ongoing prejudice. John Howard and the Liberal Party introduced quasi-compulsory religion into schools and the current government continues to support it. This country is a multicultural country and our children should study comparative religion where they get an appreciation of the history and belief systems of all recognised religions. This study would give them the capacity to appreciate similarities of religious practices and allow them to separate religious practice from political prejudice. The instruction of specific religious dogma of any flavour has no place in any of our schools but should be left to the home and church to nurture. Any school that accepts the taxpayers’ dollar needs to promote a safe, secular, multicultural society.