Religious instruction materials in Queensland state schools under government review

The government of Queensland, Australia is reviewing religious instruction materials being used in schools in the state following a discovery in one school that a religious curriculum seems to proselytize students into Christianity.

"We have guidelines in place for religious instruction in state schools for a reason," said Education Minister Kate Jones, as quoted by Brisbane Times. "It's concerning to me that any materials are being taught outside of those guidelines. That's why I have asked the department to review the Connect materials. If it is found these materials are outside the guidelines we will remove it from all state schools."

The decision to review the materials is in response to the move made by Windsor State School. The academic institution reviewed the syllabus of Connect, a religious education curriculum taught by faith-based groups, and found that the materials seem to be trying to influence kids into Christianity. Principal Matthew Keong decided to suspend RI lessons at the school altogether, altough he said they will consider alternatives in the future.

"Connect's lesson materials go beyond imparting knowledge of Biblical references, and extend to soliciting children to develop a personal faith in God and Jesus to become a Christian or 'Kingdom Kid'," he wrote in a letter to parents.

He further said that the teachers' manuals remind instructors that most of their audience is not yet Christian. It appears, therefore, that the program is attempting to "solicit them for a decision to become the kind of Christian prescribed in the materials."

The materials, according to the report, include teaching kids that "every single person has sinned and rejected God and deserves to be punished." The aim of one lesson plan is "to help students to understand that everyone deserves the punishment of God because we have all sinned and ignored Him," and to make sure that kids "acknowledge their own sinfulness." It also tells students to "reflect on whether they accept or reject Jesus."

The Education Department has not approved any program for religious instruction, often taught by faith-based groups and volunteers, but it allows for an hour a week for such lessons.