Schools that tell parents to OPT OUT of RE are breaking law

[artemis]

My son attends a public school in SA. To my great pleasure, this week he produced a note about the upcoming Christmas Seminar. It stated that parents must now "opt in" their children to attend. For years I have lobbied DECS and the school to abide by the regulation of informed consent. How many children have been sent off to RE classes by default because they lost the opt out form? No longer can schools deviously pretend that children are expected to attend RE. Parents must now genuinely give consent- just like any other activity.
Scripture Union is still advising some schools to break the law and retain the opt out approach as they know the number of children targetted by these seminars will drop dramatically. Schools must also provide a suitable productive alternative for children not attending Religious Instruction.

*Freedom from Supernatural Myths in State Schools*

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

OK now my comprehension leaves something to be desired so let me know if I am reading this post wrong: Opt-in system vs opt-out system Schools that tell parents to opt-out are breaking law Schools now have to use an opt-in system by default No more "Oh we didn't get an RE opt-out form so he has to do it" excuse from the bad guysThis is progress if I have read it correctly.

[atheist_angel]

That is good news!

Hope the "alternatives" don't endup including "General Religion" like the NSW pilot (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/26/2697351.htm).

Don't know why they keep wanting to force feed religion on kids.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Personally it doesn't affect me because I am no longer at school. But it does affect me because I am in New South Wales myself and these are perfect conditions for a breeding ground for illiterate little bigots.

[atheist_angel]

Personally it doesn't affect me because I am no longer at school. But it does affect me because I am in New South Wales myself and these are perfect conditions for a breeding ground for illiterate little bigots.
So it doesn't affect you directly, but it affects you indirectly. Very true.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Yes. See why it is important to legalize euthanasia? ;)

[Caio]

Baby steps I guess, but hey what do you know, progress is possible!

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Croc, that was a little obscure. You may need to explain the connection, as I fail to see it.The post in question was originally a response to:So it doesn't affect you directly, but it affects you indirectly. Very true.I suppose in a way it means that either I would be better off going or the brainwashers and brainwashees are better off going. That way I wouldn't have to experience their stupidity being forced on me. I suppose I should point out that this is a bit of a humor thing.

[artemis]

OK now my comprehension leaves something to be desired so let me know if I am reading this post wrong:

Opt-in system vs opt-out system
Schools that tell parents to opt-out are breaking law
Schools now have to use an opt-in system by default
No more "Oh we didn't get an RE opt-out form so he has to do it" excuse from the bad guys
This is progress if I have read it correctly.



Hi Crocodile,
The opt in condition has been in place for some time yet many schools continue to ignore this (on the advice of RE instructors I'm sure) They tell parents they can opt out of RE if you ask permission, in writing but let you know the children are expected to attend. Wrong! They must have parental consent to attend RE not withdraw. This prevents any accidental RE to which DECS would be held accountable.
Access Ministry and SU etc. have been trying to get the law changed to opt out and have even prayed til they're blue in the face but reason has prevailed!:)

[Mentally Saturated]

Can't wait to see a successful test case set precedence with some wealthy parents against one of these dodgy opt-out schools for "brainwashing" their child.. :) I reckon that'd be all it takes before all the schools fell into line !

Gary

[artemis]

Hi Gary,
For that reason the multi-cultural schools are very careful regarding permission or they don't offer exclusive one doctrine RE at all.

[Sal]

Yes. See why it is important to legalize euthanasia? ;)
My other half and I are all for ethical cleansing as well.:p

[Sal]

Hi Crocodile,
The opt in condition has been in place for some time yet many schools continue to ignore this (on the advice of RE instructors I'm sure) They tell parents they can opt out of RE if you ask permission, in writing but let you know the children are expected to attend. Wrong! They must have parental consent to attend RE not withdraw. This prevents any accidental RE to which DECS would be held accountable.
Access Ministry and SU etc. have been trying to get the law changed to opt out and have even prayed til they're blue in the face but reason has prevailed!:)

I think the whole opt-in/opt-out issue is definitely clouded by the funding-for-the-chaplain issue.

Christian teachings are actually so entrenched in schools that it is very difficult for parents to teach the children anything else. Add that to the fact that parents are made so unaware of what is actually taught at school ....