People have different views when it comes to school uniforms. from shutterstock.com

Should school uniforms be compulsory? We asked five experts

We asked five experts from various fields whether school uniforms should be compulsory. Four out of five said no.
A federal Religious Discrimination Act would introduce important protections for Australia’s religiously diverse population. Shutterstock

Why Australia needs a Religious Discrimination Act

Australians already enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom. However, discrimination and vilification on the basis of people’s faith still exists.
Our first episode of Trust Me, I’m An Expert tackles the debate unfolding as Australia contemplates changing the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couple to marry. Axel Heimken/dpa

Trust Me, I’m An Expert: a lawyer, a biblical scholar and a fact‑checker walk into the same‑sex marriage debate…

Trust Me, I’m An Expert: Episode 1 The Conversation, CC BY-ND81.9 MB (download)
In this episode of Trust Me I'm An Expert, we're wading into the same-sex marriage debate with experts on the Bible and the law, and fact-checking claims that kids do best with a mother and a father.
On this podcast, academic experts separate the signal from the noise, the data from the anecdotes, explain the science, look at the peer-reviewed evidence and ignore the media hype. The Conversation

Trust Me, I’m An Expert: a new podcast from The Conversation

Everything from the curious to the serious The Conversation, CC BY-ND4.16 MB (download)
A new monthly podcast from The Conversation, where we bring you the most fascinating, surprising stories from the academic world.
The National School Chaplaincy Program, introduced in 2007, is available in more than 3,000 Australian schools. from www.shutterstock.com

Religious classes in schools must adapt to fit a changing Australia

Religious education offered in Australian state schools has variations in the quality of delivery and limited provisions for the students who opt out.
Sagardeep Singh Arora is challenging Melton Christian College’s decision not to enrol his son unless he agrees not to wear his patka (similar to the photo above). Shutterstock

School uniform policies need to accommodate students’ cultural practices

A case before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal highlights the need for schools to accommodate articles of religious and cultural practice in their uniform policies.
Ultimately, whether or not you consider Australia to be secular depends on the definition of secularism used. shutterstock

Is Australia a secular country? It depends what you mean

Australia has a form of secularism where religion is allowed in the public sphere. As long as religion remains one voice and one option among many, the nation will still be secular.
Massachusetts couple Marcia Hams and her partner Susan Shepard had a cake to celebrate their historic first same-sex wedding in 2004, but some bakers feel unable to oblige on religious grounds. EPA C.J. Gunther

Cakegate: a story of the clash of religious freedom and gay rights

When a baker refuses, on religious grounds, to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, the right to freedom of religion comes into conflict with the right to freedom from discrimination.
Politicians and parties on Australia’s political fringe would ban the burqa - except, apparently, when it is worn for the purposes of their political campaigns. AAP/Julian Smith

Banning the burqa is not the answer to fears about public safety

The burqa and niqab are often viewed as symbols of extremism. In the wake of the rise of Islamic State, it is unsurprising, therefore, that in recent days a number of Australian politicians have called…
The Anglican Church has responded to the Royal Commission by allowing priests in some circumstances to report confessions of sexual abuse. AAP/Jeremy Piper

Anglican shift on confessions puts abuse victims’ interests first

The Australian Anglican Church has put the interests of children and victims of crime ahead of tradition and doctrine. Priests who hear confessions about serious criminal offences, including child abuse…
Cardinal George Pell reportedly led Catholic Church lobbying of the government to abolish the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. AAP/Dean Lewins

Charitable treatment by regulator belies church complaints

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) was created by the former federal Labor government and began operation in December 2012. It is so new that some charities are yet to be required…
Amid the constant debate about Religious Instruction in schools, what does the law say? www.shutterstock.com.au

Explainer: what the law says about Religious Instruction in schools

In recent weeks the issue of the religious content of Australian education has been hotly debated. Last week The Age reported the latest development. Principals in several Victorian state schools had ceased…

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