I'm a Camden local too

I'm rather ambivalent about the decision to block the development of an Islamic school in my local area. The reasons cited are environmental, and seem quite reasonable. On the other hand, the comments by some parties - and the misappropriation of the Australian flag - hint at the truth. I applaud the environmental decision, but deplore the base motivations. Now I think I understand why some muslims might want to send their children to a muslim school - if nothing else, it's a place where their children are likely to feel welcome - but the real solution to all this fear and loathing surely involves the phasing out of all religion-based schools, including the several Anglican schools in the Camden area. Christians, muslims, jews, buddhists, athiests, scientologists, I want my kids to go to school with all of them. The very notion of a religious school is completely incompatible with a tolerant, happy, modern secular society. Religion is a fine thing, no doubt, but schools that compartmentalise children along religious lines are the breeding grounds of suspicion and hatred. These schools are set up with the best intentions, and I know from experience that they are staffed by wonderful people, but how can religious segregation be anything other than divisive?

Lee Borkman

29 May 2008