READERS DISCUSS: Is there still a place for religious class?

OPINION: "Put simply, religious education - done right - has the ability to make a genuine contribution to not only our kids ... but society as a whole.

We asked readers on Facebook: OK Do you agree? Do you think there is value in religious education in schools? Or should other states follow Victoria's lead and axe religious classes in schools?

Valarie Hawkins - Where do you think Morals and right from wrong all originally came from ? even if you were not a follower of the religion it was ingrained into society's belief system , and yes I agree with the statement "Put simply, religious education - done right - has the ability to make a genuine contribution to not only our kids ... but society as a whole":
Ryan Mathew Newport - I'm pretty sure "morals" and "rights from wrong" existed a long long time before religion was developed to instill them in the weak of mind.
James N Nicole Huxley - Religion has no place in schools
Bec Ward - Instead of religion the time could be much better spent allowing children to do art / music / free range play. That's much better for their development and they don't do enough of it as it is. Religious study should be kept for home, if the parents choose.
My son asked me the other day how universe was made and I tried to easily explain the big bang theory, which didnt fit with what he learnt about god at school.
Ryan Mathew Newport - Lol it's a bit confusing for them when you try and teach them actual facts, things like dinosaurs being here millions of years ago but religion says God made everything a few thousand years ago. Best thing to do is to make it very clear on a personal level to how much RE your child is to be exposed to, in my children's case that is none.
Chantal Booth - I think that religion should be taught even if only to allow our kids to make EDUCATED choices in later life. If you have never been informed how can you make considered decisions? There are plenty of excellent morals to learn from Bible teachings as well as an insight into the failings in morality of us as a species. smile emoticon This from someone who is non-practicing anything.
Kerry Lee - Excellent point - but teaching Ethics would be a much better way to go to explain these values. Children will question the validity of the lessons when they come from a book of fairy tales that uses guilt and other questionable ways to reinforce lessons.
Chantal Booth - True. But schools don't appear to do that either and neither do many parents it seems. But something along those lines needs to be implimented in some form.
Ross Edwards - Why do they need to be "informed" about religion at school? Kids aren't informed about Santa clause or the tooth fairy at school in order to make educated choices.