GOVERNOR-General Michael Jeffery has called for a greater
emphasis on religious education in schools to improve the nation's ethics and
values.
Maj-Gen Jeffery has also called on the media to focus more on ethics.
The Governor-General made the comments at one of his first formal functions
since his swearing-in - a reception for members of the peak church press body,
the Australasian Religious Press Association, at Government House in Canberra.
He told the function the core beliefs of "faith, hope and love"
should be reinforced and that it could be argued that reducing or deleting
religious education in schools had impacted adversely on society.
"The challenge for our community is to try to live by the simple, lasting
values the great religions teach, to instill in our children and our
grandchildren the notion that society benefits if we live an ethically good
life, including the recognition that with rights go obligations; to each other,
to our communities and to our nation," Maj-Gen Jeffery said.
"In a practical sense, the teaching in schools of religious studies - as
happens in the United Kingdom for 14-to-16-year-olds - helps give our children
a grounding in the beliefs and values of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Buddhism and Judaism.
"If, at the very least, this leads to greater tolerance towards and
understanding of those with beliefs different from our own then it is
worthwhile."
Maj-Gen Jeffery also told the function last Friday the issue of media ethics
was vitally important to the community.
"At its most basic, the real power of the media is what can be said and
written about people; be they prime ministers, cricketers or citizens, whose
lives can be ruined by a disregard for privacy, an unfair slant to a story,
simple inaccuracies or wrong interpretations," Mr Jeffery said in a speech
released to AAP today.
"It is for this reason that journalism is meant to uphold certain
fundamental principles that underpins its work.
"Honesty, accuracy, fairness and a respect for the rights of others are
perhaps the most important."
Maj-Gen Jeffery said young people were being exposed to a "popular culture
which sometimes emphasises materialism, individualism and what's in it for me
at the expense of community, and our media reflect this."
"Is it the media's fault or is the media simply reflecting changing
societal values?" Maj-Gen Jeffery said.
"Whatever the answer, there is little doubt that many people in western
society are yearning for a deeper meaning to life."
Maj-Gen Jeffery replaced former Anglican Archbishop Peter Hollingworth in the
vice-regal role last week.