Half-arsed

Q: Why is homophobia more acceptable than racism?
A: I don’t know, why is homophobia more acceptable than racism?

I know, let us ask the Department for Children, Families and Schools; they seem to have given carte blanche to faith schools. (and while I’m up here on my high horse, why do we have faith schools? Religion has no place in school, [except Comparative Religion, which I would argue for.])

Let’s play a little game – I’ve replaced words like ‘homosexuals’ ‘family values’ ‘sinful’ and ‘single sex relationships’ in the paragraphs from their advice on new legislation below – see if you can spot where I have replaced them!

• ... the concerns expressed are that faith schools will no longer be able to teach according to an aspect of their belief or faith — such as the superiority of white people and the inferiority of black people.
• .…if a faith school (or indeed any school) teaches that the Christian and Muslim faiths decree that black people are racially inferior then the school will not be acting unlawfully.
  
• Similarly, if a pupil asks a teacher his views on Judaism and the teacher gives his view that Jews are sinful, then again, that teacher will not be acting unlawfully.

They talk a lot of sense really, these faith schools. I think we should bring back the cane while we’re at it. Or hell, why not, schools should also be granted powers to perform exorcisms, witchhunts and trial by fire and water.

In respect of schools with a religious character, the DfES Guidance goes on to say:-

"However, many views on sexual orientation are entrenched in religious belief and this has led to some misunderstanding and to concerns being expressed about the impact that these regulations will have on religious freedom in faith schools. Non-denominational maintained schools and voluntary controlled denominational schools teach Religious Education (RE) according to the locally agreed syllabus and voluntary aided schools teach RE according to the tenets of their faith. However, the concerns expressed are that faith schools will no longer be able to teach according to an aspect of their belief or faith - which is the importance of traditional family values and that single-sex relationships are sinful. There are similar concerns about the possibility that individual teachers expressing their views in this area, whether based on their religion or not, might be the subject of legal action.

The regulations will not prevent any of this. So for example, if a faith school (or indeed any school) teaches that the Christian and Muslim faiths decree that same-sex sexual activity is a sin then the school will not be acting unlawfully. Similarly, if a pupil asks a teacher his views on homosexuality and the teacher gives his view, then again, that teacher will not be acting unlawfully. In both cases, the subject must be dealt with appropriately in accordance with existing DfES guidance. Haranguing or harassing a particular student or group of students is not an acceptable way to convey a belief within an educational context, and such behaviour could constitute unlawful discrimination."