Once upon a time, public schools in Victoria, provided Christian Studies as a part of their curriculum, offering an option for students to learn about God and Christian principles. Unfortunately, this option has been stripped from our current education system. This alteration is personal to many of us, and reinstating Christian Studies can enrich our students' knowledge and understanding of this religion.

According to the 2016 Australian Census, Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the country, with 52.1% of the population identifying as Christians. Considering these statistics, making Christian Studies as an elective subject appears to be a reasonable action to serve the cultural and educational needs of majority of students.

Removing the option for students to study this subject significantly diminishes their opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the religion that over half of our population follows. In a cosmopolitan society like ours, understanding diverse religious belief systems should be integral to our education system. Recognizing Christian Studies as an elective would honor the religious diversity in our society and provide students with a well-rounded and inclusive education.

The incorporation of Christian Studies as an elective not only respects the religious choices of the majority, but also gives students of all backgrounds the chance to learn about this religion if they choose to do so—reflecting the core democratic principle of freedom of choice.

We kindly request the Department of Education in Victoria and all relevant decision-making bodies to reconsider the reinstatement of Christian Studies as an elective subject in public schools across the state. This isn't just about offering another subject, it's about respecting our society's diversity, nurturing open-minded young individuals, and keeping our education system balanced and inclusive. We urge you to sign this petition to bring Christian Studies back to our classrooms.