Letters
The Age
Monday March 28, 2011
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Church and state must be separateTHE government is all but mandating that students be indoctrinated into holding particular religious beliefs ("Backlash as God forced into schools", The Sunday Age, 27/3). This policy is inconsistent with promoting a modern, inclusive and tolerant society. It strikes at the core of the very sound stance of having a clear separation between church and state.While it is appropriate that students think about what constitutes right and wrong and what a good society should be, such an examination is best conducted by offering an ethics, philosophy or political philosophy subject. Ideas from a number of religions could be covered. However, to be intellectually sound, the subject would have to be pluralistic, critical and taught by people who have the required expertise.Interestingly, an article "How to defuse a human bomb" in the Good Weekend magazine looked at religious brainwashing in some schools in Pakistan and the problems that this causes for the children and for society as a whole. We have a responsibility to make sure children are not indoctrinated into particular systems of religious belief, or into narrow views of what is right and wrong. Students should be allowed to come to their own conclusions via a thorough and critical exposure to the full range of ideas and arguments: anything less is simply not education.Tim Thornton, NorthcoteColonial ring to policyI AM a parent who withdrew my child from Christian education classes. I believe children in Australia should learn about "all" religions. My father did the same for me in the 1960s. It is unacceptable that I am doing this almost 40 years later.My child has been forced to sit in the corridor and now spends the time in another classroom not being taught. This time could be better spent by teaching all students about different migrant communities as well as our indigenous communities. Tolerance of others and all religions is of much more value to our children's future than being taught the narrow religious viewpoint by the Access Ministries.Those who follow the Christian religion take their children to church on Sundays or practise their philosophy in the home. So why do all children have to have this tuition whether they be Islamic, Hindu or atheist? It certainly has a ring of the colonial days when non-Christians had to be converted. It seems the Education Department still supports this view.Linda Hibbs, East RingwoodMoral codes are cruelAS A primary school teacher and atheist, I welcome Christian education in state schools. As long as it's taught thoroughly. The perception of the Christian faith has left many Australians with the notion of God as a benevolent supernatural force, hoping we do good, punishing us when we do bad. The God of the Bible is a different kettle of fish.It will do the students good to dip into the Old Testament and learn of God's many genocides and sending of plagues and disasters. They will learn how He encourages slavery, abuse of women, rape, murder, and slaughter of animals. Students will learn they were born evil, and that without abandoning rational inquiry and bowing down before God they will be tortured for eternity.The moral codes enshrined in the Bible are cruel, and not what our modern society is founded upon. Know your Bible, kids.David Ruddick, CastlemainePhilosophy is the goI COULDN'T agree more. A compulsory subject based on beliefs held for centuries and morality that forms the basis of our society should be taught. So when will philosophy be introduced?Andrew Dixon, Mount WaverleyWe must ignore adviceIF THE department can't (or, even worse, won't) distinguish between "may" and "must", then reasonable people must ignore them even though the department may be the ones in charge.Gordon Gribbin, HastingsBoycott stores to show our angerHOW easy it is to attack our female Prime Minister with vile sexist slogans when prominent men who assault, harass, abuse or otherwise mistreat women, so often get away with it even to the point of being rewarded with celebrity status.The latest example is disgraced former David Jones boss, Mark McInnes, landing a new top job in retail, courtesy of Solomon Lew ("Backlash as disgraced CEO wins $5.2m job", The Saturday Age, 26/3). You could say he is suffering his annual pay will be down from $6.9 million to a mere $5.2 million. This is par for the course.Wayne Carey was promptly reinstated as a football hero/role-model; Sam Newman, a serial offender, retains his Footy Show position; Kyle Sandilands lost one TV judging job, but is still prominent on radio where he transgressed in the first place; Tiger Woods is still paid huge appearance money for drawing crowds of admirers. Even Brendan Fevola gets another chance. The list goes on.Meanwhile the women directly affected, and all women, remain vulnerable to demeaning, abusive attitudes and a culture that excuses abuse by saying "boys will be boys". I, for one, will make a note of the brands now being marketed by McInnes among them are Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans and Peter Alexander.Mr Lew will rue his decision to employ McInnes if I and enough other women change our shopping patterns to avoid these outlets.Janet Powell, ResearchNSW mates get bootIN NEW South Wales the oligarchy that calls itself the Labor Party has been exposed and comprehensively disposed of.The people grew tired of a party and government of mates governing for mates. Mates putting their mates into State and Federal Parliament. Mates disposing of a prime minister who was not one of their mates. Mates making policy decisions to determine the fate of the state and the country.The oligarchs now know that we live in a democracy and that the people expect democratic principles to be observed at every level of the decision-making process. Now let the renewal begin.Brian Sanaghan, West PrestonBaillieu shown upQUITE the dramatic evening watching the predicted demolition of NSW Labor. It was fascinating hearing senior Liberal (and shortly-to-be-minister) Gladys Berejiklian on the ABC say that the incoming Coalition government had a priority in "addressing the infrastructure backlog". What a contrast to the new Coalition government here in Victoria, which appears to have puttered to a halt in doing anything, anywhere.Ian McKendry, Kew EastIgnore proven recipeIN WESTERN Australia, Victoria and now NSW, the Liberals have achieved victory under inclusive, credible, moderate leaders with positive ideas and policies.Given this proven recipe for success, why do federal Liberals persist with an erratic, aggressive, divisive, ultra-right, ever negative, policy-free leader who consistently alienates those moderate voters whose support is necessary for victory?Peter Rutherford, Barwon HeadsShameful commentsTHURSDAY'S unedifying slanging match was certainly a low point during Federal Parliament's question time.Joe Hockey's remarks were particularly shameful: "There could be no better illustration of the government's schizophrenia than the fact that this Prime Minister ran out there and told the Australian people that there will be tax cuts."SANE Australia has received a number of complaints about Mr Hockey's comments in this inappropriate context. His inaccurate and derogatory use of a diagnostic term undermines all our efforts to promote community awareness of mental illnesses as just that real illnesses that need and respond to real treatment. Australians have a right to expect much more of our political leaders.Barbara Hocking, SANE Australia, South MelbourneFalse reassuranceA "ONE-in-10-million chance of dying from cancer after exposure to an airport X-ray" sounds reassuring ("Airport security scanners to keep it nice", The Sunday Age, 27/3), but each year Qantas carries 38 million of the world's 4.5 billion airline passengers, and most cancers are not fatal. The real question is: how many people worldwide will develop cancer as a result of this screening?Dr John Doherty, Vienna, AustriaFor the recordI WOULD like to correct some of the erroneous impressions created by Rachel Woodlock (Comment, 23/3).Barnabas Fund is a relief agency that provides aid for persecuted Christian minorities in more than 60 countries. We are also concerned about religious liberty everywhere. Our campaign on halal meat calls for choice and transparency by the provision of non-halal options and clear labelling, so non-Muslims can avoid halal meat if they wish. We fully support the freedom of Muslims in Australia to eat halal meat.Ms Woodlock accuses me of thinking that all Muslims practise taqiyya (dissimulation permitted by Islam in certain circumstances) and therefore of dismissing all statements by liberal and modernist Muslims as lies. I reject this accusation completely. I have the greatest respect and admiration for courageous Muslims who, at risk to their own lives, are criticising aspects of their faith and calling for its liberal reform. I am honoured to count some of them among my dearest friends.Ms Woodlock accuses me of Islamophobia. This term is increasingly used as a tool to silence any critique of Islam. This is unacceptable in a secular society, which I hope Australia will always be.Patrick Sookhdeo, Barnabas Fund, UKSuspicious mindsVIOLENCE of some kind is always the response of those who are afraid and suspicious of the other when the other is perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be, at best, misguided or, at worst, a threat. Christianity and Christians are not exempt from adopting such a position. Jesus was an absorber of violence not an inciter or instigator of it. Are we to read Mark Durie's article (Comment, 24/3) as olive branch or flaming sword?Fiona Mary McNicol Winn, MoorabbinChoose lifeGARY Matchan (Letters, 26/3) may want to rethink the concept of "connecting" with nature. To treat a living animal as a commodity to be attacked and killed for pleasure is to repress our capacity for empathy and connection not only towards other animals but also towards humans and the environment.The animals he hunts and eats may live better than those raised on most farms; however, both hunting and livestock farming involve commodification and violence, and neither practice is necessary for human health or happiness.A large body of research, including the massive China Study, supports a whole-food plant-based eating pattern as one of the healthiest possible. As humans we can cultivate empathy and life, or violence and death. Which do you choose?Will Schmidt, Surrey HillsSwamped by helpWE HAD the misfortune to be swamped by the freak flood at Tidal River last week but were consoled by the wonderful assistance from the duty ranger, the SES team, the police, the fire brigade and local volunteers.On being transported to Foster we were overwhelmed by the efficiency of the Red Cross volunteers and council staff. It is no easy task to feed such a large number of school children and campers at such short notice.It was a well-run effort and we were extremely grateful after having endured a traumatic time over the previous 16 hours. Our thanks go to all involved.Lorna and Ken Petrie, MontmorencyBeware precedentsOUR council's support for an overscale four-storey development of 97 apartments, 10 shops and 200-seat restaurant proposed for Port Campbell's sea-caverned cliffs may also leave it open to litigation ("Gas-leak win threat to councils", The Saturday Age, 26/3).Corangamite Shire Council ignored its planner's recommendation to refuse to extend the permit for a third term. The council also ignored many heritage and environment groups, and seven leading geo-experts who report the development is high risk and could collapse the headland in tens of years.A parliamentary select committee investigation into Crown land use expressed concern, and legal experts have advised council of its responsibility. Why are some councillors refusing to listen to expert advice? It is time the state government intervened.Marion Manifold, Port Campbell Community Group, Port Campbell
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