Stop Hillsong's foray into NSW public schools NOW!

Hillsong, the Pentecostal Christian church mob that has ties with the Assemblies of God gang, has embarked on a mission to recruit new members in NSW public schools. Its mode of operation is to conduct free lunchtime concerts and barbecues in schools - these days are called "Exo days".

The Sydney Morning Herald reports:

Exo or Excellent days are free events run by Christian students under the direction of Youth Alive, an arm of the Australian Christian Churches - formerly the Assemblies of God - of which Hillsong is the largest member.

A teacher at one public school said students had returned to class after an Exo day concert complaining about attempts to convert them, while the Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations says it is an attempt to sneak evangelism into schools and reveals the need for new laws.

Previously the Herald reported that Hillsong was running its Shine program - aimed at young women - in at least 20 NSW public schools.

The NSW Education Act says that "instruction" at public schools must be non-sectarian and secular except in designated religious education classes.

A spokeswoman for the Federation of Parents and Citizens' Association said religious recruitment in schools was inappropriate. "We need to ensure that children when they go to school aren't exposed to discreet evangelism," she said.

The NSW upper house Greens MP, John Kaye, said Exo days went against the spirit of the act, but that there was a need for new laws specifying "clearly and precisely who is allowed on school campuses and who is not".

"Parents send their children to public schools in the anticipation that they will not be indoctrinated," Mr Kaye said.

Clarrie says: "The NSW Government should stop this mob conducting these 'events' NOW!!!"