The Catholic Education Service

It has been reported that the Catholic Education Service has been urging pupils in state funded Catholic Secondary schools to sign a petition against gay marriage. I cannot understand why they are pursuing this policy even from the point of view of their own self interest. Why antagonise a secular society which has been happy to fund faith education. These funds could easily be withdrawn. Further restrictions could be imposed upon what schools can and cannot teach if public opinion becomes unfavourable to the concept of faith schools.

I am opposed to idea of faith schools, as I do not believe that any religion should proselytise its ideas using state funds. If parents want their children to receive a "faith" education they should send their children to a private school not funded by the state. Even so, such such schools should be obliged to educate their children to an approved educational standard and curriculum.

I am opposed to any form of unbalanced political activity or discussion taking place in a school. Political campaigning for any cause should be banned within the confines of a school.

In my view religious institutions should be allowed to campaign for their views to be heard by the general population. Indeed it should be their right. This right should be exercised responsibly, however, so religious bodies should be careful not to interfere in the political process by encouraging young people to sign petitions against gay marriage or abortions etc.

Why is the Roman Catholic church so opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage? Is it because they are holding onto irrational beliefs for which there is no evidence?
 
The state does not intend to impose gay marriages on religious institutions. Roman Catholics, who are heterosexuals, will still be allowed to marry as per usual in their church. The same applies to Muslims. Some very religious people do not recognise the state's involvement in marriage but they are free to live together as partners without state sanction.

There is no evidence for the existence of a supernatural being which is influencing the observable universe. Where is the proof? So how can there be a God's law which dictates that homosexuality is divinely illegal or immoral?  It is simply irrational to believe that there can be any other law than that which human beings create for themselves. Secular society has deemed homosexuality to be legal and moral; the Church should accept this.

Stemming from the irrational belief that there is a supernatural being, is the opinion and that the Church is some how in touch with this being who endows absolute powers to the human priesthood. This priesthood is then allowed to dictate what we believe and  what we do not believe and how we should behave. It is dangerous to believe that the church has the absolute right to intervene in political affairs. The concept of divine right is complete irrational nonsense.

The dangers of  irrational thinking should not be allowed to penetrate state schools. Therefore, the opinions of creative design should not be taught in science lessons. Children and young people should only be taught facts for which which there is indisputable evidence. Children should be taught to distinguish between a fact for which there is evidence and an opinion for which there is not any evidence. The church cannot prove that there is a supernatural being so their claims are opinions only. Likewise, the church has not provided any evidence to suggest that people who are homosexuals or who do not want to get married in church or do not believe in the supernatural are sick.

 Whilst we should be concerned about human rights and the freedom to worship we should be concerned about the dangers that organisations such as "Core Issues" represent. Their ideas that homosexuals are sick and can be cured are irrational. In my view their cures represent  another form of witchcraft or sorcery. Any young person who is homosexual would do well to steer very clear of the ideas and quackery of this institution. The opinions of organisations such as "Core Issues"  should be vigorously and critically examined at school so that pupils can determine their veracity for themselves.