Hunter high school students have been taken over by a Christian group which teaches against homosexu - Polidicks

[QUOTE]A CHRISTIAN group whose values include "entrepreneurial, servant-hearted leadership" has gained exclusive access to hundreds of Hunter high school students, and forced hundreds of others to lose many hours of teaching time. The recently "rebranded" Generate Ministries, formerly known as Genr8 Ministries, has denied that students at nine Hunter high schools are taught its views against homosexuality, or its "repugnance" of same-sex marriage, during scripture classes in school time of up to one hour per week. But critics say the group is taking advantage of complex and opaque NSW Department of Education scripture implementation procedures to spread fundamentalist Christian views in Hunter state schools, while parents remain largely unaware children are being taught possibly extreme beliefs based on the Old Testament. Department of Education figures released last week show significant differences, and possible breaches, in the way department scripture procedures are applied at the nine Hunter high schools where children receive religious instruction from Generate-backed scripture boards. The figures also expose the forced loss of school teaching time for hundreds of students not receiving scripture. Only 13 year 7 students out of Newcastle High School's 986 students attend scripture backed by Generate Ministries each week, but at least 100 year 7 students are unable to be taught during that time because of Department of Education scripture implementation procedures. No other denomination is taught at the school. Early this year the high school was required to revise advice to years 7 and 8 students, after a complaint (not from a parent) that it breached department guidelines by sending letters saying it supported "Christian principles" scripture to all parents, including those who said they wanted their children to "opt out" of scripture. Newcastle High School principal Mark Hewitt said the school had "received no parental complaints about the delivery" of scripture in the past seven years. Critics of scripture in NSW public schools, including academic Dr Cathy Byrne, NSW Greens MP and education spokesman Dr John Kaye, and Human Rights Advocacy Australia spokesman Darrin Morgan, say figures from some of the other nine high schools linked to Generate raise concerns about whether parents were advised of their right, under NSW Department of Education scripture guidelines, to have their children opt out of scripture. The schools include Tomaree High School, where all 200 year 7 and 8 students attend a 30-minute Generate Ministries-backed scripture lesson each week, in school hours. The "large majority" of Muswellbrook High School's 240 year 7, 8 and 9 students attend a 50-minute Generate-backed scripture class each fortnight, while the "large majority" of year 7 students at Singleton, Swansea, Mount View and Dungog high schools also attend Generate-backed scripture lessons of one school period per week. Students opting out of scripture are prohibited from attending teaching classes during that time, under NSW Department of Education scripture guidelines stating that "no academic instruction or formal school activities" can occur for non-scripture students. The rule leaves 116 Morisset High School year 7 students unable to attend a teaching class for one period a week while 40 students attend a Generate-backed scripture class, and the majority of Kurri Kurri High School's year 7 class are in the same situation while 30 students attend scripture. Dr Kaye said the Hunter figures provided further proof that "we need to have another look at the scripture in state schools situation, to make sure that schools are not pushing students to go into it". "Church groups should not be given unfettered access to students in public schools," Dr Kaye said.[/QUOTE] [url]http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2491407/students-miss-out-as-christian-group-generate-ministries-moves-in/?cs=391[/url]

[QUOTE=~Kiwi~v2;45706207]You fucking what mate.[/QUOTE] It's basically people trying to interpret old testament in more palatable and modern way (for example admitting stoning adulterers is ACTUALLY not okay) by claiming lot of the things said is either an allegory or something that was simply intended to be read by people of a different age and has a different meaning today. Depending on [I]how[/I] you interpret it, it's as close as you can get to getting something actually good and beneficial out of the texts short of labeling them as fanfiction written by idiots. Of course, this group doesn't sound like the kind who would take it to reasonable and sensible level.

when will these kids learn its anything but cool to be christians

I came in here expecting to read about more religious fundamentalism in the US deep south instead I find it's in fucking New South Wales.

Woo my town of Kurri Kurri got acknowledged somewhat indirectly. Anyways it's fucking disgusting that anyone would go to a high school and start preaching to year 7 students who are at their most impressionable time of their lives. Doesn't matter if you preach religion, atheism, or if you're involved in any side of politics or any political pressure group. You're not a teacher, and you certainly don't have the right to attempt to indoctrinate those kids.

[QUOTE=]The "large majority" of [B]Muswellbrook[/B] High School's 240 year 7, 8 and 9 students attend a 50-minute Generate-backed scripture class each fortnight[/QUOTE] Shit, that's only an hour away from where I live, how haven't I heard about this already? Is there a list of schools this is happening in?

If it's a private school, then whatever, they get to do what they want. If it's a public school, those students are loving it because it's optional, and if they decide not to go, they get free time out of class The only real problem is if the students are given an absence for it or something

Never understood why fundamentalist Christians spend so much time reading the Old Testament. Do they want to actually be Jewish, or something? Those books in the bible were placed there by early Christians so they would have legitimacy in front of the eyes of other Jews and their Roman rulers.

[QUOTE]Students opting out of scripture are prohibited from attending teaching classes during that time, under NSW Department of Education scripture guidelines stating that "no academic instruction or formal school activities" can occur for non-scripture students. The rule leaves 116 Morisset High School year 7 students unable to attend a teaching class for one period a week while 40 students attend a Generate-backed scripture class, and the majority of Kurri Kurri High School's year 7 class are in the same situation while 30 students attend scripture.[/QUOTE] Man, the kids who opt out of religion class get to just completely fuck around and do nothing for a period. There must be so much mocking of the Christian kids because of this. About 25% of the class (in Morisset at least) causing all 100% of the class to have no useful education time an hour a week. but wtf seriously

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;45707540]Never understood why fundamentalist Christians spend so much time reading the Old Testament. Do they want to actually be Jewish, or something? Those books in the bible were placed there by early Christians so they would have legitimacy in front of the eyes of other Jews and their Roman rulers.[/QUOTE] Because Old Testament God is the only one that's enough of an asshole to do the things that Fundamentalists constantly claim he does (sending all non-believers to hell, etc.) Also because a lot of Fundamentalist identity comes from believing the literal interpretation of a lot of stupid shit in Genesis for example.

[QUOTE=elixwhitetail;45707569]Man, the kids who opt out of religion class get to just completely fuck around and do nothing for a period. There must be so much mocking of the Christian kids because of this. About 25% of the class (in Morisset at least) causing all 100% of the class to have no useful education time an hour a week. but wtf seriously[/QUOTE] This happened in my primary school Queensland law, public schools must devote the first period of Tuesday for religious education (I think its just primary schools tho). You had most religions except Islam and Judaism. The school was made up of Anglicans, Atheists, Catholics, Christians and the odd Jehovah Witness along with old mate Mormon. I was in the Catholic class with about ~7 students until I left to go to the non-religious class which was pure dick around time (this class mostly had people who go to church, who don't have any religious beliefs, any Muslims or Jews etc.) The teacher we had was some shitty fucking sister from I think the Church of England because we had one down the road. She gave us text books that preached the good word, questions along with verses and what not. Our class was horrible tho, they all treated her like shit and once she stormed off in the middle of it. Literally packed her things, walked to the car park and drove off. We were basically teacherless for the entire lesson. "What the fuck do we do?" said someone, literally we didn't know what to do. So someone got onto the phone and called the office to say "Our teacher just walked off" in which the office was surprised about because this never happened. Next day we get a word from the principle, "what you did was wrong", I did nothing you cunt "You all have to write an apology letter to her and give it to her next Tuesday" So the girls designed this wonderful piece of shit on a poster board saying "WE'RE SORRY FOR WHAT WE SAID SIGNED" everyone basically Yeah she liked it, then I left. Idk it was fucking terrible why did I type this

[QUOTE=Helix Snake;45708457]Because Old Testament God is the only one that's enough of an asshole to do the things that Fundamentalists constantly claim he does (sending all non-believers to hell, etc.) Also because a lot of Fundamentalist identity comes from believing the literal interpretation of a lot of stupid shit in Genesis for example.[/QUOTE] Actually the concept of hell is a New Testament invention. There are only a few vague mentions of the place in the Old Testament. Only when gentile Jesus, meek and mild, comes into the picture do we get an underworld of infinite torture. [editline]16th August 2014[/editline] So, by your own logic, either the "Old Testament God" you speak of is the same god as Jesus, or Jesus is different but terrible in his own way.

[quote]The recently "rebranded" Generate Ministries, formerly known as Genr8 Ministries[/quote] lmao holy shit no wonder they changed the name

[QUOTE=Explosions;45709400]Actually the concept of hell is a New Testament invention. There are only a few vague mentions of the place in the Old Testament. Only when gentile Jesus, meek and mild, comes into the picture do we get an underworld of infinite torture. [editline]16th August 2014[/editline] So, by your own logic, either the "Old Testament God" you speak of is the same god as Jesus, or Jesus is different but terrible in his own way.[/QUOTE] You ought to separate Jesus Christianity from Pauline Christianity. Much of the stuff about hell comes from St Paul; I wouldn't call Jesus "terrible" in the regard you said.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;45709533]You ought to separate Jesus Christianity from Pauline Christianity. Much of the stuff about hell comes from St Paul; I wouldn't call Jesus "terrible" in the regard you said.[/QUOTE] I don't need Paul at all. He's not the one casting people into everlasting fire. That would be Jesus.

[QUOTE=TheTalon;45707510]If it's a private school, then whatever, they get to do what they want. If it's a public school, those students are loving it because it's optional, and if they decide not to go, they get free time out of class The only real problem is if the students are given an absence for it or something[/QUOTE] Private schools shouldn't be allowed to do this either.

[QUOTE=Noss;45709701]Private schools shouldn't be allowed to do this either.[/QUOTE] But it's a private school and most of the times parents pay for their kids to go there. If the school does something the parents disagree with the parents can pull their kids out.

[QUOTE=TheTalon;45707510]If it's a private school, then whatever, they get to do what they want.[/QUOTE] They shouldn't be allowed to. Children deserve legal protection from this kind of thing just as they have legal protection from physical harm.

I wonder how long it will take people to come to terms with the fact that Christianity is a 2000 year old work of fiction.

[QUOTE=Mbbird;45711031]I wonder how long it will take people to come to terms with the fact that Christianity is a 2000 year old work of fiction.[/QUOTE] Too much edge for this thread.

"no no no we promise, it looks out of date and scientifically inaccurate and inapplicable to modern life today because it was [B]worded weirdly[/B] and [B]allegorical[/B] and [B]not to be taken literally[/B], not because it is".

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;45711036]Too much edge for this thread.[/QUOTE] how is that edgy

[QUOTE=HumanAbyss;45711050]how is that edgy[/QUOTE] Telling people their religion is fiction is pretty ridiculous. Religion has been on the decline for almost 400 years, why even say anything? At the end of the day, social conservatives will still hate change and oppose things like homosexuality, even without religion being used as justification.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;45711089]Telling people their religion is fiction is pretty ridiculous. Religion has been on the decline for almost 400 years, why even say anything? Eventually it'll just go away without needing to be an asshole. At the end of the day, social conservatives will still hate change and oppose things like homosexuality, even without religion.[/QUOTE] Which is why I worded it like I did. [editline]16th August 2014[/editline] And technically, since I've never really liked how people use the word edgy, it hardly is, especially on the internet. The VAST majority of posters here don't believe in religion.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;45711089]Telling people their religion is fiction is pretty ridiculous. Religion has been on the decline for almost 400 years, why even say anything? At the end of the day, social conservatives will still hate change and oppose things like homosexuality, even without religion being used as justification.[/QUOTE] Maybe I just don't see why stating something as simple as a "a mythology is a mythology" is "edgy" it's not like he attacked anyone or used any aggression. no, he said something pretty flatly. I guess anything and everything is "edgy" these days.

[QUOTE=Mbbird;45711133]Which is why I worded it like I did.[/QUOTE] Yeah but the homophobia isn't really due to the religion itself. It's socially conservative people who just happen to be religious that tend to hate homosexuality. There are a lot of places that are socially conservative, but not particularly religious, that have outlawed homosexuality. There are a lot more that are not christian but have homosexuality as a stigma, so who can you really point fingers at? You should fight the underlying problem itself; The ignorant social conservatives, not the religion. [QUOTE=HumanAbyss;45711153]Maybe I just don't see why stating something as simple as a "a mythology is a mythology" is "edgy" it's not like he attacked anyone or used any aggression. no, he said something pretty flatly. I guess anything and everything is "edgy" these days.[/QUOTE] To be honest, I expected him to talk about how bullshit Christianity was or talk about how religion is the underlying problem, so I was wrong about that.

I mean I get that you have a whole repertoire for defending religion, but I'm not attacking it.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;45711172]Yeah but the homophobia isn't really due to the religion itself. It's socially conservative people who just happen to be religious that tend to hate homosexuality.[/QUOTE] And don't see why this would be. There aren't really any non-religious reason to be a homophobe. In fact, thinking on it a bit, I can't seem to remember ever hearing a single reason for banning gay marriage that wasn't mired in religion or had religious undertones. If you could provide some examples of secular homophobia, I'd be intrigued, but it would be news to me.

[QUOTE=Explosions;45711239]And don't see why this would be. There aren't really any non-religious reason to be a homophobe. In fact, thinking on it a bit, I can't seem to remember ever hearing a single reason for banning gay marriage that wasn't mired in religion or had religious undertones. If you could provide some examples of secular homophobia, I'd be intrigued, but it would be news to me.[/QUOTE] Homosexuality was illegal in both in the USSR (under Stalin) and China during the 20th century. Although maybe these places banned due to religion, but I can't find any underlying religious reasons. The state religion of the USSR was atheism, and the vast majority of Chinese people don't even practice Abrahamic religions.

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;45711314]Homosexuality was illegal in both in the USSR (under Stalin) and China during the 20th century. Although maybe these places banned due to religioun, but I can't find any underlying religious reasons. The state religion of the USSR was atheism, and the vast majority of Chinese people don't even practice Abrahamic religions.[/QUOTE] I think it might be more accurate to say that the USSR under stalin's state religion was Stalinism. He was a big fan of the idea of "Cult of personality" and made himself the centre of much of the state. I imagine he personally was against the idea of homosexuality and so that was a policy that spilled over.