City churches campaign against ethics trial

By Bonnie Yiu

Christian groups in the City are gaining support against the government’s secular ethics trial in primary schools.

With over 380 petitions gathered in the past week, numbers are expected to rise as churches continue to lobby against a scheme which they believe will jeopardise future religious education.

Steve Turner, pastor of the Sydney Central Baptist Church, said he considers the current proposal to be a deceit.

“It is contrary to the long-held government policy that no other classes can be held the same time as the legally approved Scripture Classes,” he said.

Harry Haralanbous, deacon of the Newtown Baptist Church, has called for greater community action to be taken.

“We need to get involved to stop the government from eliminating Scripture Classes altogether,” he said.

Over the past weeks, more than five local churches have rallied for support among their congregations against the proposed secular ethics classes, which they believe will compete directly against religious education if introduced permanently.

The ethics curriculum that is currently being trialled in 10 state schools is set to serve as an alternative to children whose parents have opted them out of Scripture Classes.

Last week, the St James Ethics Centre who oversees the trial reassured the community that religious education will not be replaced under the current scheme.

“Religious education is not under threat,” a spokesperson said. “Its existence is enshrined in the law.”

The Federation of Parents and Citizen Associations has thrown its support behind St James Ethics Centre, saying the proposal comes as a solution to reports indicating an increase in the number of primary school students opting out of SRE.

Spokesperson Helen Walkton said such results should be taken seriously by the community.

While the current education policy protects the provision of religious instruction and the child’s right to opt out, it is dubbed by lobbyists as “detrimental” in preventing school children from participating in activities that would otherwise compete with SRE.

According to Ms Walkton “it is upon this issue that we seek to bring amendments to the Education Act 1990.”

The ultimate aim, she continued, was to “allow for children who have been opted out of SRE the right to meaningful instruction during this period.”

An independent committee will be set up to evaluate the results after the 10-week trail is completed.