Secular Café: Row in New Zealand over religion in schools

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Row in New Zealand over religion in schools Jun 17th 2012, 15:24 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/educ...divide-parents Quote: Parents are at a crossroads over whether God should be allowed in the classroom. Hundreds of primary schools "close" during class time so religious teachers can come in and teach Bible-based values, and parents must opt out if they do not want their children to attend. But a group of rationalists has launched a campaign to keep religion out of schools, saying it should be taught only as part of social studies or extra-curricular activities, and that prayer and Bible studies should ultimately be banned entirely. A Sunday Star-Times reader poll found 49 per cent of respondents against religious studies in primary schools, and 43 per cent in favour, with 8 per cent undecided... ...Auckland parent Bruce Hubbard said he was appalled when his 7-year-old stepdaughter's school introduced "evangelical-style" religious instruction, which reduced her to tears when she was told she could end up in hell. He has since opted out. Jeff McClintock said it took five attempts before his daughter's school finally withdrew the 6-year-old from religious instruction. "They're not teaching about Christianity. They're trying to convert them. Parents are scared [that] if they withdraw their child will be the odd one out and might get picked on." His daughter now sits out the lessons.

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