Scripture books promoting "dangerous" messages about sex and male power are being used in NSW public schools, leading to calls for a crack down on special religious education.
Parent-run lobby group Fairness in Religions in Schools (FIRIS) has raised concerns about a number of publications for students attending scripture classes in state secondary schools.
The Anglican secondary special religious education (SRE) curriculum for public schools includes texts which FIRIS claims promotes sexual abstinence outside a "lifelong relationship" and the doctrine of male headship and female submission.
A sample lesson from another provider, Seed: SRE, claims divorce happens "because of human sinfulness and ignorance". Another section aimed at year 8 students lists "mistakes women make" as talking too much and giving in sexually while male "mistakes" include letting their bodies rule and lacking courage.
A FIRIS-commissioned analysis of Teen Sex By the Book and its companion manuals, produced by Australia's biggest evangelical Christian school curriculum publisher, Christian Education Publications, found they failed to meet industry standards. The books link teen sex to drug addiction and alcoholism, describe homosexuality as "misplaced sexual desire" and warns that girls who wear short skirts and low-cut tops might be "tempting their Christian brothers to lust".
Sex educator Deanne Carson, who analysed the texts, said the treatment of divorce and homosexuality contravened Department of Education and Communities (DEC) guidelines.
"The book's messaging on sexuality and gender diversity is hugely concerning," she said. "It really undermines the work being done in schools and communities to support same-sex attracted young people."
Her report, which has been sent to Education Minister Adrian Piccoli, recommends schools do not use the book or manuals.
Teen Sex by the Book author Patricia Weerakoon said the book was intended to be used by Christian parents and their teenagers.
"It does not in any way portray same-sex attraction as a sin," she said. "It does not portray pre-marital sex or divorce as sins."
Chief executive of Anglican Media Sydney Russell Powell said Teen Sex by The Book was not intended for use in SRE classes, however it is listed alongside other SRE materials in a Christian Education Publications catalogue.
The Greens education spokesperson, John Kaye, called for greater scrutiny of material being used in scripture classes in public schools, saying parents need to know what their children are being taught.
"If parents knew that scripture was much more than quaint stories about men gadding about in togas and Roman sandals, enrolments would plummet," he said. "This is dangerous stuff. Abstinence messaging and homophobia have real consequences for vulnerable young people."
FIRIS campaign co-ordinator Lara Wood urged the DEC to overhaul consent procedures for scripture classes and make parents fully aware of the curriculum.
"We call on the (DEC) to remove all of these materials from schools immediately and conduct a parliamentary review into how this damaging curriculum was able to become available to SRE teachers," she said.
Centre for Public Christianity director Simon Smart said many public schools support scripture classes, provided by well trained teachers in consultation with the school community.
A DEC spokeswoman said the implementation of scripture and ethics was under review.
