The problem with God in Australia

The High Court has ruled in favour of a challenge to government funding of the school chaplaincy program.

THE Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to funding chaplains in Australian schools, despite serious concerns that the system is failing our most vulnerable youth.

The High Court found yesterday that the funding model for the National School Chaplaincy Program was unconstitutional, but Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he wanted the initiative to continue. (It is most likely to be funded through state government grants.)

The case has raised serious concerns among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, with allegations that chaplains' religious beliefs make them illsuited to support young people struggling with their sexuality.

The national body that represents chaplains rejects this, saying there is a lot of misinformation in the community about their role and qualifications.

LGBTI youth network Minus18 said the fear of discrimination was one of the major barriers to young people coming out of the closet.

"The ability to talk to someone is hugely important and, with the chaplaincy program in particular, you've got these people within the school who are renowned for having prejudice and who have a reputation for that," general manager Micah Scott told news.com.au.

"Whether that is the case or not with an individual chaplain, that reputation is a big enough barrier to stop a young person from seeking the support they need."

Where do school chaplains fit in our classrooms? Source: Supplied

A recent high school graduate, who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity, agreed that the perception of chaplains' prejudice was a major problem.

"As a closeted young gay person, I just didn't feel at all comfortable going to our chaplain for help. That wasn't because I thought he was homophobic or because I had a homophobic experience with him, but because I knew he was a religious chaplain and because of my sexuality, I just didn't think he could or would be able to provide the kind of support I needed," he said.

Labor Senator Louise Pratt has also been strident in her comments against the program, calling for the initiative to be scrapped in Parliament on Tuesday.

Citing a survey from gay rights organisation All Out, Senator Pratt said "students described chaplains helping them to 'pray the gay away' and advising them to sleep with a member of the opposite sex to 'correct' their same sex attraction".

"I have worked with school chaplains over the years and I have found them to be well-intentioned people. But I also know about the very real suffering that the anti-gay beliefs that some of them hold can cause LGBT young people, even when no harm is intended," Senator Pratt told Parliament.

"Any person giving counselling to our young people should have the proper qualifications, as recognised by organisations like the Psychological Association, and should not hold discriminatory views."

Mr Scott told news.com.au that there were "fantastic chaplains out there", but he had also heard of chaplains pushing religious doctrine on to students.

"There are a huge number of stories of young people who come to us who have come out and have been given either poor advice or been given advice that is very heavily skewed by religious doctrine or the personal beliefs of the chaplain," he said.

RELATED: High Court rules against federal government funding of school chaplains

There are conflicting views about the place of religion in schools. Source: AP

The National School Chaplaincy Association rejected that their workers were pushing religious doctrine, with its Peter James saying chaplains were required to be non-judgemental, non-coercive and supportive of all students.

"There has been an awful amount of misinformation," Mr James said.

Chaplains are required to be trained in youth work or another relevant discipline to Certificate IV level, the same as required for secular youth workers.

He said they were explicitly forbidden from proselytising and were given training on how to support and refer at-risk students, such as those struggling with their sexuality.

"Teachers do a great job, but they don't have time to help kids who are disengaged or unhappy. Chaplains are non-judgemental and trained to listen and care … they're somebody who's there to support the student thick and thin," Mr James said.

He said the facts didn't support allegations that chaplains were trying to convert students to religion.

"Around 2900 schools have chosen to have a chaplain, and in 2013, only one complaint nationally was received," Mr James said.

The National School Chaplaincy Association says chaplains are an important part of school communities. Source: News Limited

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome said good education for chaplains was the best way to improve the program.

His group supported a groundbreaking training session in northern Tasmania last week, led by Relationships Australia, that aimed to educate chaplains on how to tackle homophobia.

"I've seen the evidence of chaplain homophobia — that's very alarming. My response is that it highlights the importance of professional development.

"I don't think a chaplain's religious beliefs necessarily disqualifies them to support LGBTI students.

"The most responsible course of action to provide the schools the information they need so they can provide the best support and be as effective as possible.

"There's not an inherent incompatibility between the religious convictions of chaplains and challenging homophobia."

Mr Croome hopes the training program will be replicated in other states.

"I have an unshakable belief in the power of education to change people's hearts and minds," he said.

"To those who are stridently against school chaplaincy, I say you have every right to your views. Given that chaplains look like they are here to stay, it's important that we engage with them to provide the best possible support to LGBTI young people."

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