The controversial trial of secular ethics classes has ”decimated” Protestant scripture classes in the 10 NSW schools where it has been introduced as an alternative for non-religious children, with the classes losing about 47 per cent of enrolled students.
The figure was calculated by the Sydney Anglican diocese, which is so concerned about the trial that it has created a fund-raising website to ”protect SRE” (special religious education). The website says the values underpinning ”Australia’s moral framework” are under threat.
The website, created by Youthworks, a department of the diocese, says the objective of the ethics trial is ”to not only remove Jesus Christ from the state school system, but from the consciousness and hearts of the next generation”.
Surely, readers here will recollect parts of the Gospels in which Jesus, having been asked a question, responded by asking the questioners what they thought was right, based on rather ordinary ethics. Then, Jesus agreed.
I see no threat from secular ethics. If the Church has something to say that differs from the reasoning of secular ethics, then that can be taught separately as a matter of faith.
For example, I am in an area where an “inalienable right to gay marriage” is a great part of the mantra, and opponents are presumed by be religiously-motivated irrationals. Thus, I express my opposition strictly in secular terms, particularly quoting Darwin.
#1: way to go? I think not – you’ll end up supporting eugenics and Social Darwinism.