Philosophy-Based Ethics as an Alternative to Religious Education in Australian Government Schools

Description

In Australia and New Zealand, faith-based religious classes are still permitted in government schools, and this is the source of considerable controversy. Religious Instruction (RI), where students receive instruction in one religion, most commonly Christianity, is distinct from General Religious Education (GRE). The latter involves students learning about a range of religious and non-religious perspectives (e.g., atheism) in a neutral, relativistic manner. In this column, I will outline the controversy surrounding RI, focusing on the Australian context. The controversy has led to calls for GRE and/or philosophy-based ethics classes to replace RI or, at least, to be offered as alternative programs for those students who do not wish to attend RI classes. I will briefly outline and evaluate all three educational programs: RI, GRE, and secular ethics classes based on the Philosophy for Children program. While RI is undoubtedly the most problematic of the three, we will see that GRE and philosophy-based ethics classes can also be problematic, especially when they are positioned as an alternate curriculum to RI. It is recommended that RI be removed from all government schools and GRE and ethics be integrated into the official curriculum.