A role for civil celebrants with counselling training in government schools?

I am interested in reinforcing the role of civil celebrants as "civilising" agencies in our Australia context. That is upholding the freedom of the right to choose one's own religion.

We have had a blurring of state and church functions in Australia for a long time.

One of the issues with nation states being ruled by religions, as is being discussed at present about the government of Indonesia, is that this freedom can be under threat. Even though Malaysia has a constitution that upholds this right, people born Muslim are not able to change religions.
 
Last night I listened to a discussion on the National Schools Chaplaincy Program.
This program gives each school $25,000 to employ school chaplains. All ? are religious chaplains.

This radio program raised the question of why not secular or civil chaplains?

I think this is a role suitably trained secular or civil celebrants could fulfill.

The section can be listened to on:
 
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalks/stories/2008/2276096.htm

Anyone interested in this issue ? Please email me on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kind regards
Rona Goold

ACCN Director