Changes

:Just jumping back to the school prayer issue, my two cents is that the Australian model has worked wonders. In it, students in public school are not subjected to communal prayer (appropriate, given the wide variety of beliefs), however have access to compulsory scripture classes where prayer is conducted, and can join various student groups which support prayer. Not only does this ensure that students can pray in the manner that suits them (or not pray entirely) rather than being subjected to a generalised prayer which may or may not suit their beliefs, but it also fosters spiritual growth within the groups, as students are able to identify and discuss their faith with their peers. It also circumnavigates the concept of authority discussed above. [[User:NormanS|NormanS]] 09:06, 18 November 2008 (EST)

:Just jumping back to the school prayer issue, my two cents is that the Australian model has worked wonders. In it, students in public school are not subjected to communal prayer (appropriate, given the wide variety of beliefs), however have access to compulsory scripture classes where prayer is conducted, and can join various student groups which support prayer. Not only does this ensure that students can pray in the manner that suits them (or not pray entirely) rather than being subjected to a generalised prayer which may or may not suit their beliefs, but it also fosters spiritual growth within the groups, as students are able to identify and discuss their faith with their peers. It also circumnavigates the concept of authority discussed above. [[User:NormanS|NormanS]] 09:06, 18 November 2008 (EST)

::Norman, you just defined how American schools work, as well.  1) any parent is allowed the chance to "opt out' of sex ed classes.  This is a Court defined right based on your constitutional right to practice your religion and raise your children in the manner you see fit.  2) Most schools have christian groups either before school or after school.  These are open courses.  The only legal requirement is that if a school allows one group to meet, it must allow all groups to meet.  In some extreme cases, school districs afraid of PFLAG have decided they will have no after school groups, including Christian groups.  3) some highschools (i don't know if it's most or not) offer elective courses which include religious courses.  But again, in teh US, the issue is discrimination.  A Christian group cannot keep out a pagan or a gay student as long as he or she is not disruptive to the goals of the group.--[[User:JeanJacques|JeanJacques]] 11:40, 18 November 2008 (EST)

::Norman, you just defined how American schools work, as well.  1) any parent is allowed the chance to "opt out' of sex ed classes.  This is a Court defined right based on your constitutional right to practice your religion and raise your children in the manner you see fit.  2) Most schools have christian groups either before school or after school.  These are open courses.  The only legal requirement is that if a school allows one group to meet, it must allow all groups to meet.  In some extreme cases, school districs afraid of PFLAG have decided they will have no after school groups, including Christian groups.  3) some highschools (i don't know if it's most or not) offer elective courses which include religious courses.  But again, in teh US, the issue is discrimination.  A Christian group cannot keep out a pagan or a gay student as long as he or she is not disruptive to the goals of the group.--[[User:JeanJacques|JeanJacques]] 11:40, 18 November 2008 (EST)