This article appeared in the news a few days ago: Disciple claim sparks call for chaplain fund freeze. It goes like this. Some one thinks that the chaplains and those who are doing CRE education in schools are out to make converts of the children and get the kids to go to their school. The story makes for interesting reading. One of the things the claimants want is for those doing chaplaincy work and those involved in CRE to have no connection with any church organisation. "In that pause, we would want the Government to re-check these programs, so if we are going to have pastoral care in schools and that is going to be funded by taxpayers, those people have no connection to any religion." That statement comes from Australian humanist of the year Leslie Cannold. This also in interesting. Dr Cannold, is also member of the Fairness In Religion In Schools group.
Maybe I am a bit thick. But it would seem to me that if we are to have any religious education in schools, whether it is Christian, Islam, Buddhist or any other religion, if you are going to tell kids about that religion, you are automatically engaged in some sort of proselytising. It goes with the territory.
I support CRE in schools. I also support chaplaincy in schools. Kids, and adults, face all sorts of spiritual pressures. Those chaplains do an excellent job just giving folks a listening ear.
I thought it interesting that Dr Cannold is also a member of the Fairness in Religion in Schools group. Umm, he is the one protesting and yet he is in that group. He wants the chaplains stopped? Where is the fairness in that?
It's me age. I have a problem with my understanding.
Till next time........
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