177 / Finally: Ethics classes in schools

A breakthrough of sorts: Ethics classes will be introduced in public schools in NSW (SMH).

But the government is at pains to assure there were no plans to replace special religious education classes. The reason why the churches were so adamantly opposed to ethics classes is that they will disadvantage scripture students. Of course they're right … students attending scripture classes while their peers are in ethics classes are at a huge disadvantage.

But the argument is all the wrong way around: Instead of blocking ethics classes the only logical thing to do is to stop religious education in public schools and thus put all student on a level playing field. Religious education has no merit in public schools, it should be conducted by the churches in Sunday schools.