Sir, - I am both shocked and dismayed at plans of the Minister for Education, Ms Bhreathnach, to ensure that (certain) organised religions will be running our schools into the 21st century. I am just about getting beyond the voodoo Catholic teachings which were forced on me during my formative years at school and have no desire to see my daughter go through the same brain washing.
Let's face it, the reason the organised religions care so much about managing our children's education is that young minds are empty of dogma. The morning prayers, the one sided teaching of religion, the preparations for first communion and the presence of priests and nuns all have a cumulative effect on a young, impressionable mind. The churches know that intelligent adults see right through such banal concepts as immaculate conceptions, turning water into wine, fire and brimstone and papal infallibility; so they must catch our children's minds to stand any chance of continuing their foul systems. I feel special ire towards the Church of Ireland who unquestioningly accept Catholic control systems - as long as they have similar control over their own children.
Let's not forget that organised religion has, on balance, caused more harm than good to humanity. How many more holy wars", bloated Vatican bank accounts, senile popes and child abusers in dog collars do we need before we opt for the only sensible option for everyone - a complete, total and final separation of matters of church and State? - Yours etc.
Sevenoaks,
Church Avenue,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.