Law, Tolerance and Religious Schools in Australia

Abstract

Religious schools in Australia are operated by religious groups to provide a primary or secondary education that satisfies the state’s compulsory education requirements within the framework of these groups’ religious beliefs and practices. From time to time, public interest in religious schools is sparked by media reports concerning their operation. Often, the public debate concerns the science curriculum: whether creationism or ‘Intelligent Design’ theories should be taught, for example; however, other aspects of religious schools’ operation also receive attention. In August 2004, for example, two media stories concerning religious schools were current. The first concerned an Adelaide secondary school operated by the Church of the Brethren.1 The school received adverse media attention because it did not allow computers or other information technology within the school.2 The second story concerned a sect known as the Order of St Charbel.3 A school operated by the sect came under scrutiny because of the doomsday teachings of the sect’s leader whose headquarters were located within the school’s grounds.4 Both schools received substantial federal government funding (a fact that featured prominently in the media discussion).