I've been reading a book recently by Tim Chester where he uses a story from Greek mythology as an illustration of how the gospel draws us toward godliness and away from sin:
In Greek mythology the Sirens would sing enchanting songs, drawing sailors irresistibly towards the rocks and certain shipwreck. Odysseus filled his crew's ears with wax and had them tie him to the mast. Orpheus, on the other hand, played such beautiful music on his harp that his sailors ignored the seductions of the Siren Song.
It got me thinking about the SRE vs Ethics debate - we need to sing a more wonderful song.
Gillian Davis is a full time SRE teacher at Bulli High School in northern Wollongong. She's been teaching Scripture in primary and secondary schools for the past fifteen years. Here are her ten verses of SRE's more wonderful song:
1. For a biblically illiterate generation, SRE helps students understand the God of the Bible from the true source, and not the Simpsons, the Media or a disgruntled opponent.
2. Consequently students who attend SRE can become more tolerant and understanding of people of any faith, and less prejudiced and hostile.
3. Through understanding the ethical and moral foundations in the Bible, SRE students are able to grasp the origin of our country's laws, values and ethics.
4. SRE enables students to grasp the important reality that values always stem from a belief system. SRE then helps the students identify and critique their own belief systems.
5. Considering that the large majority of the world's population adhere to a faith, SRE equips students for entering such a world with an understanding of faith that is fair, respectful and educationally informed.
6. SRE gives students the opportunity to learn about faith from an advocate of that faith in an open public setting. This personal perspective equips students to be able to consider how the spiritual quest is pursued through the various religious traditions influential in our pluralistic society.
7. SRE gives opportunity for students to meet a person of faith who can help them address the many (and I say MANY) questions they have on faith and faith practice. This also includes their concerns and fears on faith issues ("religion is the cause of war"). SRE teachers are often the only faith-based voice they have offering counsel and hope and answers in a complex world.
8. SRE gives students an opportunity to consider meaning and purpose for their lives in the context of a Creator God who loves and cares for them.
9. One of the most common questions I get asked in the playground is "when are we having scripture next?"
10. My students love SRE. They need to have a voice in all this. Come sit in a classroom and see! They enjoy the opportunity to talk about spiritual things.
In light of that final verse, perhaps the final word should go to one of Gill's students:
Dear Gillian
For five sixths of my high school career as an atheist, scripture in school could offer me only as much as I wanted from it - which was not a particularly great deal. It never spurned me, though when I realised that I was more agnostic than atheistic, the scripture teachers were welcome to rectify some misconceptions I had gathered and preconceptions I had formed about Christianity.
Though my status as agnostic still remains, all those I’ve met who are what I’ve been taught to be true Christians are fine people - fine meaning excellent, not just good - and they are welcoming of people of all backgrounds, religious or secular. My agnosticism should not be seen as a failure to the scripture program - I’m not ‘the one that got away’ - but should be seen as a success, as I see it, in that someone like me would want to befriend your community.
I’ll see you later, in a world post-HSCYear 12 student, state high school
(name withheld)
Have you got a verse to add? Sing with me people!
