School hate mail as prayer dropped
By Nicolas Perpitch
September 23, 2011
Under the act, public schools must not promote one set of
religious beliefs ahead of another. Source: Supplied
HATE mail sent to a Perth primary school after it decided to stop reciting the Lord's Prayer at assemblies has been condemned as cowardly and "un-Christian".
Edgewater Primary School, in Perth's northern suburbs, dropped its 25-year old tradition of reading the Lord's Prayer at its fortnightly assemblies following concerns from some parents that it breached the Education Act.
Under the act, public schools must not promote one set of religious beliefs ahead of another.
As required by the Department of Education and Training's religious education policy, the school held several school council meetings to consult with the parents and the local community before making its decision.
It has been receiving abusive emails, letters and phone calls from around Australia since it sent a letter to parents on Monday informing them the prayer would no longer be read out.
Premier Colin Barnett said yesterday the hate mail was unacceptable.
"While I think most people would believe the Lord's Prayer is appropriate in a government school . . . there is no justification at all for hate mail to be sent to that primary school," Mr Barnett said.
Asked if it was un-Christian, Mr Barnett agreed.
Full Story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/school-hate-mail-as-prayer-dropped/story-e6frgczx-1226144044387
