Secular Ethics Classes

[~candice~]

http://www.news.com.au/national/ethics-cla...r-1225855795211

A TRIAL of secular ethics classes for students who do not want to attend scripture lessons will begin in 10 New South Wales primary schools today.

The lessons for students in years five and six focus on increasing ethical awareness and decision-making, and have never before been trialled in Australia.

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth said pupils would be encouraged to engage in discussions about fairness, honesty, care, rights and responsibilities.

"The ethics course is an alternative for parents who don't chose to send their children to religious scripture classes," she said.

The ethics lessons will be delivered by specially trained volunteers for 30 to 45 minutes a week over a 10-week period.

The trial was developed by experts at the independent St James Ethics Centre in collaboration with the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW.

Religious leaders, including senior members of the Sydney Anglicans, have raised concerns about the pilot, with many believing the classes may jeopardise religious education.

Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre said the intention was not to eliminate religion from schools.

"We simply ask that the place of religion in the lives of some children not be maintained at the expense of other children," he said.

"How can it be just for any child to be denied meaningful activity?"

Parents will also be able to opt to have their child not attend either scripture or ethics classes.

Ms Firth said she was looking forward to feedback on the trial.

The schools taking part are Baulkham Hills North, Bungendore, Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Ferncourt, Haberfield, Hurstville, Leichhardt, Randwick and Rozelle public schools.

This is going a place I don't like... at all.

[Steve_S]

http://www.news.com.au/national/ethics-cla...r-1225855795211

A TRIAL of secular ethics classes for students who do not want to attend scripture lessons will begin in 10 New South Wales primary schools today.

The lessons for students in years five and six focus on increasing ethical awareness and decision-making, and have never before been trialled in Australia.

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth said pupils would be encouraged to engage in discussions about fairness, honesty, care, rights and responsibilities.

"The ethics course is an alternative for parents who don't chose to send their children to religious scripture classes," she said.

The ethics lessons will be delivered by specially trained volunteers for 30 to 45 minutes a week over a 10-week period.

The trial was developed by experts at the independent St James Ethics Centre in collaboration with the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW.

Religious leaders, including senior members of the Sydney Anglicans, have raised concerns about the pilot, with many believing the classes may jeopardise religious education.

Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre said the intention was not to eliminate religion from schools.

"We simply ask that the place of religion in the lives of some children not be maintained at the expense of other children," he said.

"How can it be just for any child to be denied meaningful activity?"

Parents will also be able to opt to have their child not attend either scripture or ethics classes.

Ms Firth said she was looking forward to feedback on the trial.

The schools taking part are Baulkham Hills North, Bungendore, Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Ferncourt, Haberfield, Hurstville, Leichhardt, Randwick and Rozelle public schools.

This is going a place I don't like... at all.

You have state sponsored scripture classes in aussie?

[~candice~]

In my state, we have government funded Chaplains .

Scripture classes are run by volunteers. Students have the choice to opt out if they choose, but usually the students go for 30-45 minutes a week.

We are starting to see more and more Mormons, JW's and Ba'hai people come through and lead classes though, which is NOT good.

[enoob57]

In my state, we have government funded Chaplains .

Scripture classes are run by volunteers. Students have the choice to opt out if they choose, but usually the students go for 30-45 minutes a week.

We are starting to see more and more Mormons, JW's and Ba'hai people come through and lead classes though, which is NOT good.

It's like gangrene the more you have the greater the need to remove the effected appendage. I don't think love Steven works here its a rotten comment!

[~candice~]

There is a huge push to get rid of the Chaplains and RE (Religious Education) classes. Imagine what it would be like with government sponsored ethics classes but no bible? Then imagine these classes become compulsory, and that the content is dictated by the State?

[OneLight]

http://www.news.com.au/national/ethics-cla...r-1225855795211

A TRIAL of secular ethics classes for students who do not want to attend scripture lessons will begin in 10 New South Wales primary schools today.

The lessons for students in years five and six focus on increasing ethical awareness and decision-making, and have never before been trialled in Australia.

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth said pupils would be encouraged to engage in discussions about fairness, honesty, care, rights and responsibilities.

"The ethics course is an alternative for parents who don't chose to send their children to religious scripture classes," she said.

The ethics lessons will be delivered by specially trained volunteers for 30 to 45 minutes a week over a 10-week period.

The trial was developed by experts at the independent St James Ethics Centre in collaboration with the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW.

Religious leaders, including senior members of the Sydney Anglicans, have raised concerns about the pilot, with many believing the classes may jeopardise religious education.

Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre said the intention was not to eliminate religion from schools.

"We simply ask that the place of religion in the lives of some children not be maintained at the expense of other children," he said.

"How can it be just for any child to be denied meaningful activity?"

Parents will also be able to opt to have their child not attend either scripture or ethics classes.

Ms Firth said she was looking forward to feedback on the trial.

The schools taking part are Baulkham Hills North, Bungendore, Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Ferncourt, Haberfield, Hurstville, Leichhardt, Randwick and Rozelle public schools.

This is going a place I don't like... at all.

Trying to catch up to the US???

[e lansing]

morals without God! How stupid is that? Religion can make people moral? Mans feeble attempts to be moral without the source of morality. Then add goverment to it This can not be good for anybody.

[~candice~]

morals without God! How stupid is that? Religion can make people moral? Mans feeble attempts to be moral without the source of morality. Then add goverment to it This can not be good for anybody.

Failure to teach our kids about God is as good as teaching them that there is no God. Consider this a warning to all parents not to rely on the government / schools to teach your child about God, get the Good Book out at home from birth .

[Steve_S]

http://www.news.com.au/national/ethics-cla...r-1225855795211

A TRIAL of secular ethics classes for students who do not want to attend scripture lessons will begin in 10 New South Wales primary schools today.

The lessons for students in years five and six focus on increasing ethical awareness and decision-making, and have never before been trialled in Australia.

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth said pupils would be encouraged to engage in discussions about fairness, honesty, care, rights and responsibilities.

"The ethics course is an alternative for parents who don't chose to send their children to religious scripture classes," she said.

The ethics lessons will be delivered by specially trained volunteers for 30 to 45 minutes a week over a 10-week period.

The trial was developed by experts at the independent St James Ethics Centre in collaboration with the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW.

Religious leaders, including senior members of the Sydney Anglicans, have raised concerns about the pilot, with many believing the classes may jeopardise religious education.

Simon Longstaff, Executive Director of the St James Ethics Centre said the intention was not to eliminate religion from schools.

"We simply ask that the place of religion in the lives of some children not be maintained at the expense of other children," he said.

"How can it be just for any child to be denied meaningful activity?"

Parents will also be able to opt to have their child not attend either scripture or ethics classes.

Ms Firth said she was looking forward to feedback on the trial.

The schools taking part are Baulkham Hills North, Bungendore, Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Ferncourt, Haberfield, Hurstville, Leichhardt, Randwick and Rozelle public schools.

This is going a place I don't like... at all.

Trying to catch up to the US???

Lol OneLight, I was gonna say, welcome to the united states.

[MorningGlory]

There is a huge push to get rid of the Chaplains and RE (Religious Education) classes. Imagine what it would be like with government sponsored ethics classes but no bible? Then imagine these classes become compulsory, and that the content is dictated by the State?