1. Can Christian schools continue to teach
only about traditional marriage?
21st International Interdisciplinary Seminar
Freedom and Equality: a Christian approach
04/01/2019 Nikolai Püllen

2. Should religious school be allowed to
base hiring/teaching on their core
values?
Treatment of
homosexual/transgender
students/teachers
Employing staff based on their
beliefs/(outside work) actions
Teaching about fundamental
issues as imposed by the
state or based on the religious
background?
Ensure quality teaching while
mediating religious values

3. Core Issue
Retain identity,
religious values and
multiculturalism
Prevent discrimination,
protect
students/teachers

4. The Vegan Cooking School
Artwork by Juliane Schmidt

5. Why is it not that simple?
Where to draw the line?
Whom to ask for judgement?
Regulations/Law
School choice & Geographical factors
„Hot topic“: adverse decisions by faith schools often receive national coverage

6. Sample Questions Arising
Is it mandatory for a
Muslim student to attend
mass/prayers in school?
In how far is it acceptable to
mediate religious values and
include it in the curriculum?
Are special fiest days
celebrated or left out at all?
Can you bring your same sex
partner to a school dance?

7. Sample Cases

8. Sample Cases

9. Opinions in the UK
"Faith should not be blind. I worry that many young people are being educated
in faith-based schools, with little appreciation of their wider responsibilities and
obligations to British society. This growth in faith schools needs to be carefully
but sensitively monitored by government to ensure that pupils receive an
understanding of not only their own faith but of other faiths and the wider
tenets of British society“
David Bell (UK Head of Office for Education Standards), 2005

10. Opinions in the UK
"Unless there are crucial changes in the way many faith schools run we fear
divisions in society will be exacerbated. In our increasingly multi-faith and
secular society it is hard to see why our taxes should be used to fund schools
which discriminate against the majority of children and potential staff because
they are not of the same faith”
Dr. Mary Bousted, General Secretary of the Association of Teachers and
Lecturers, 2008

11. Opinions in the UK
“58% of voters believe faith schools should not be funded by the state or
should be abolished.”
The Observer. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
Fueled by “Trojan Horse” allegations (Islamic Schools)

12. Opinions in the UK
“I am pleased to see that this report [More than an Educated Guess: Assessing the evidence]
recognises two very important facts. The first is that faith schools contribute
successfully to community cohesion; they are culturally diverse and there is no
evidence that there is any social division on racial or ethnic grounds. The second
important fact acknowledged in the […] report is that faith schools do not
intentionally filter or skew admissions in a way which is designed to manipulate the
system. […] Children are being denied the chance to go to some of Britain’s best
schools because antireligious campaigners have turned attempts to expand faith
schools into an ideological battle-ground."
John Pritchard, Chair of the Church of England's Education Board, Bishop of Oxford, 2013

13. Actual Concerns about Faith Schools
Promotion of equality vs. the right of religious freedom
The welfare of children
The basic rights of parents and minorities
The right to freedom of association

14. New laws might not help to improve situation
• Religious schools to be put under anti-discrimination laws (e.g. everybody
treated equally despite their sex. orientation)
• Competes with international rights law for free religious practice (including
weakened multiculturalism as a result)
• High Complexity: will laws also determine teaching programme about gender
(affects clothing), marriage etc.? How to react on criticism of
student/employee? Could faith schools, which decide to be independent be
removed from gov funding?

15. Actual Situation/Response
• Many laws already present to cover issue (safe school environments, vilification
laws)
• Controversial: UK Law in 2010: 50 % Cap (50 % of all positions have to be
assigned faith-free)
In 2018, Theresa May wanted to “replace the unfair and ineffective inclusivity rules
that prevent the establishment of new Roman Catholic schools.” – failed.
• Social Media as “New Law Enforcer”
• Clear statement of e.g. archbishop Coleridge: “[Catholic officials] have not sought
concessions to discriminate against students or teachers based on their sexuality,
gender identity or relationship status”

16. Laws enforcing teaching at
school considered detrimental
• Proposals made to ban religious
teaching
• Regular OfStEd Inspections should
ensure „safe teaching“
• Proposals made after warnings by
prime minister about minortiy
Islamic schools

17. Origin of Concerns about Students
MIGHT TRADITIONAL TEACHING HARM LGBT STUDENTS?
Vulnerable age – Formative
years
Study1: LGB prone to
self hurting/drug abuse
Distorted teaching
programme
Sexual orientation in
conflict as basis for
discrimation
1Keeping Them Connected (Norden, 2005)
Common
Value:
Care & Welfare

18. Study „Unsafe Sex Education“ claims teaching
by faith schools harmful for students
• Study of National Secular Society (NSS), 2018, UK
• 77 % of faith schools teach SRE according to their religious values
• Heterosexuality displayed as ideal, homosexuality marginalized
• School policies clearly stating teaching about traditional marriage only, but
also offer guidance for LGBT
• No promotion of homosexuality, but open discussions
• Islamic/Jewish schools found to express more radical teaching
Find study at: tinyurl.com/transchool2
Work has
to be done!
Study results subject to
personal interpretation

19. Study „Not so straight“ reveals caring
environment for LGBT in catholic schools
• Study by Fr. Peter Norden, 2006, Australia
• National research project, consultation of 340 Catholic secondary schools,
304184 students (only graduates adressed), 23147 teaching staff
• Highlights importance of including same sex attraction teaching
• Finds that LGBT students receive a caring and supportive environment at
school, though challenges exist and must be addressed
Find study at: tinyurl.com/transchool1
Main challenges identified: 1) Pastoral care 2) Staff training 3) School curriculum 4) Inclusive school culture

20. Case Studies

21. Transparency and Communication as solutions
• Important: schools have to make it transparent for anyone, what is taught
and which values are mediated
• Unjust discrimination is to be avoided; active communication with students
supported
• Opposers must focus on single cases and proof allegations
• Teaching programme can be be based on religious values, but has to cover
all “commonly taught knowledge”
No generalization!
No extremism!
Secularism as easy way out by the state should be avoided!

22. Responses to Same-Sex Marriage
Interview with archbishop Denis
Hart (Melbourne, Australia)
about sacking staff with same-
sex marriage

23. Links
• https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/over-half-of-voters-believe-faith-schools-should-lose-state-funding-or-be-
abolished-9538788.html
• https://www.3aw.com.au/archbishop-hits-back-at-claims-the-church-will-fire-staff-who-wed-same-sex-partners/
• https://www.mercatornet.com/conjugality/view/gay-discrimination-and-religious-schools/21865
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/12093949/Tory-MPs-warn-that-Sunday-schools-could-be-banned-from-teaching-
that-marriage-is-between-a-man-and-a-woman.html
• https://humanism.org.uk/2018/02/14/faith-groups-demand-governments-permission-for-homophobic-teaching-in-english-schools/
• https://www.secularism.org.uk/uploads/report-unsafe-sex-education---the-risk-of-letting-religious-schools-teach-within-the-tenets-of-their-
faith.pdf
• https://www.christian.org.uk/news/govt-guidance-gay-marriage-teaching-legally-flawed/
• https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/14/christian-schools-australia-defends-right-to-hire-and-fire-teachers-over-beliefs