Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
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Thanks autolycus and WeiHan for a lively discussion on this issue. I agree with WeiHan in this. And I want to submit my replies to autolycus below:
(1) If a boy wants to pursue Integrated Program leading to A-level, he has many schools to choose from. But if he wants to pursue Integrated Program leading to IB-Diploma, ACS-I is the only choice. So, a boy may join ACS-I, not because he belives in a Methodist institution, but because he has nowhere to go for an Integrated Program leading to IB Diploma (of course International schools are excluded here on grounds of their huge fees).
(2) autolycus asked - ‘Why not transfer out?’ Because of the reason stated above, the boy has nowhere to ‘transfer out’ since no other school (participating in PSLE Centralised S-1 Posting Exzercise) is offering IP leading to IB Diploma.
(3) Another question is - "Why not just sit in the Chapel and just ‘tune out’"?
If left with no choice, non-Christian students may do that. But the question is - ‘Is it fair to leave them with no choice?’ Should not the school respect the religious sentiments of the non-Christian students? In fact from what I know, "respecting the religious sentiments of others" is in fact a noble Christian value. Why not display that true Christian spirit?
(4) Regarding the discussion on whether Acs-I is using taxpayers money or not, I think WeiHan has explained the issues brilliantly. There is nothing to add.
On the overall thanks to all for their views and lively discussion. -
Wisedad, with due respect to your argument, it does not apply.
1. ACS(I) is just one of many mission schools. It is the only mainstream one that offers the IBDP, true. That is what does not allow your argument to answer the general case.
2. ACS(I) only offered the IP from 2004. Are you saying that the specific argument did not apply to ACS(I) before 2004? In which case, you are saying that offering the IP with IB is what makes ACS(I) chapel services so undesirable. -
[quote]1) If a boy wants to pursue Integrated Program leading to A-level, he has many schools to choose from. But if he wants to pursue Integrated Program leading to IB-Diploma, ACS-I is the only choice. So, a boy may join ACS-I, not because he belives in a Methodist institution, but because he has nowhere to go for an Integrated Program leading to IB Diploma (of course International schools are excluded here on grounds of their huge fees).
(2) autolycus asked - 'Why not transfer out?' Because of the reason stated above, the boy has nowhere to 'transfer out' since no other school (participating in PSLE Centralised S-1 Posting Exzercise) is offering IP leading to IB Diploma.
[/quote]There is still a choice. If the conviction of not wanting to attend the chapel service is so strong, one can always go ahead with the \"A' levels instead of the IB diploma. :lol:
It's a matter of sacrificial choice
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kinda reminds me of those PR who chose to come here to work and then complain non stop about the local policies. Cannot imagine if they argue along the 'I also pay tax' line!
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it is like any British passport holders refuses to acknowledge their national anthem as \"God Saves the Queen\".....then renounce their British citizenship lor ....
or like the US American, if they are so offended by their money, \"In God We Trust\"....then they just use foreign currencies on US soil and make sure they don't carry US currency or has anything denominated in USD.....lor
sorry I am just adding oil to the fire.... :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: -
It’s a free choice!
Can opt not to attend service by writing in. Alternatively, can attend physically but heart is not there. As long as students are not force to embrace the faith, ACSI does nothing wrong.
If don’t like chapel service, do not join this school. Very simple, no need further argument. -
My son is and has been with the ACS family for the last 8 years and attends their assembly and chapel(whenever-usually Once a week).till date I have not found him being pushed into following the service.initially in the p1 and2 years he would have ALOT of questions but our continuous stress to respect other faiths and teaching him more on ours quietened him and now he knows.I feel that if as a parent if u have taught him to believe in your religion, than as a teenager he should not be torn or you should not have the fear.parents have to do their homework first.
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No, they’re not pushed into accepting anything, although chapels and services are mandatory.
To be honest, the practices in the school are so hypocritical, the senior management so into playing favourites and lording it over their own personal fiefdoms, the teachers so into all talk and no action…it’s enough to drive people OFF Christianity rather than to it.
It’s a glib, self-indulgent, hypocritical, arrogant Christianity they practice with so many "roll your eyes" moments it’s not funny…not at all like the real deal…
I know so many students who are turned off, FAR more than those pulled to it. And those turned off include a large majority of those already Christians. -
laissezfaire:
That's your personal opinion, and you have a right to it. I would also say that your opinion includes many sweeping statements. I think that you are actually stating an opinion that applies to about 20% of the staff or less. That's bad enough; no need to tar the rest with your over-broad brush.To be honest, the practices in the school are so hypocritical, the senior management so into playing favourites and lording it over their own personal fiefdoms, the teachers so into all talk and no action....it's enough to drive people OFF Christianity rather than to it.
It's a glib, self-indulgent, hypocritical, arrogant Christianity they practice with so many \"roll your eyes\" moments it's not funny.....not at all like the real deal.....
I know so many students who are turned off, FAR more than those pulled to it. And those turned off include a large majority of those already Christians.
Perhaps you need to be more critically honest with yourself. -
laissezfaire:
No, they're not pushed into accepting anything, although chapels and services are mandatory.
Ah, this one contains an untruth. Chapel and services are not mandatory but they are the default. A parent may indeed write in and ask for exemption. It has been requested before, and the request granted. It's an odd thing for a client to do, but it is also the right thing to allow.
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