Dr Evonne Paddison, CEO of ACCESS Ministries, speaks of the importance of religious instruction in schools.

Opposition to Christian programs in government schools is misguided.

AS CHIEF of ACCESS Ministries, Victoria’s largest provider of religion classes in government schools, I have been grilled about the special religious instruction program (SRI). At issue is the question of religious instruction in secular schools. As Australia, like the rest of the world, largely comprises ”believers” – the vast majority belongs to a religious group – I strongly assert its importance.

The recent opposition to Christian programs does not come from non-Christian faiths; there is great respect and co-operation between the religious instruction providers of all faiths. We occasionally meet, share ideas and support each other in training volunteer instructors.

Much of the opposition is being voiced by humanists.

It has been said that SRI has no value in a secular education system. I argue that all faiths play a valuable part in shaping and forming our understanding of who we are as individuals and as members of the global village.

There is no denying the Judaeo-Christian influence on Australian society. For many students, the school religious instruction program is their only introduction to the faith and the values of Christianity.

Full article, Religious instruction teaches much more than faith.  Also, Bishop teaches Islam?