British Prime Minister David Cameron has stated categorically he does not intend to cover Sunday schools and summer camps in the Ofstead scheme where the Government proposes a nationwide registration for any out-of-school setting providing instruction to under 19-year-olds for more than six hours in any week.
David Cameron explained that the Government has held "productive" discussions with the Church of England and other faith groups to make sure that the system will be "targeted" and "proportionate".
The philosophy of the proposal is that of walking a tightrope on this issue to appear even-handed, but British MP Steve Double, Conservative MP for St Austell and Newquay addressing this issue in a Parliamentary debate said: "We need to be clear about where the source of the threat comes from."
"In this country, we have already sacrificed too much of our liberty in the name of equality", Double said.
Sunday schools and Christian youth leaders
Steve Double registered his opposition - "The UK should be promoting, celebrating and encouraging Christian children's work rather than restricting it." Double put Ofstead in the firing line and challenged it as it would have been a "checking on church youth work, and thousands of volunteers should not be tied up with unwarranted bureaucracy".
"We should be promoting the teaching of the Bible to our children, not seeking to restrict it, because the results of that produce an awful lot of good. We are in danger of applying onerous restrictions on the many to address the actions of a few. That is the wrong thing to do," he stated.
Double said that when young people go to Christian events and camps – as a result of the teaching they receive – "they often find not just faith but a mission in life to go and serve humanity. That is something we should be promoting, celebrating and encouraging, not restricting".
And UK Prime Minister David Cameron concurs. The article went on to say that not withstanding anything the PM has said, but that when a complaint comes in a full and proper investigation is conducted. No one would expect anything less.
The great danger for Australia In the name of equality
Herein lies the great dilemma – sacrificing what is normal and everyday in the name of some mysterious 'equality'.
The majority consistently feel there is no longer a "level playing field" whereby what has been normal and just and working fine is now subjected to a range of new society disciplines that appear to be foreign to our way of life.
The question is consistently put, without any satisfying answers from our political leaders, why does equality mean the majority's 'normal' is undermined. Teaching the Bible should be celebrated. Youth work fun and participatory.
Prayers by students in schools should be promoted and heralded. Singing Christmas Carols about Jesus birth and His Salvation is 'normal 101.'
Where is Australia's David Cameron who will say, in this Australia, Christian heritage will be celebrated and acknowledged and not incrementally cut from the national identity.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
