LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY crazyjane13)

In this afternoon's edition of The Age (Melbourne's most centrist paper, which isn't saying a lot), this little gem : a teacher apparently threatened with suspension for protesting an AoG-sponsored concert at a local State school.

The AoG have been flouting the separation of State schools and religion for some time, by sponsoring extra-curricular activities such as free barbecues, kung fu lessons (for boys) and makeup classes (for girls). There's no official proselytising there, though the invites to weekend "youth retreats" flow thick and fast - and I'm sure there's a good deal of unofficial evangelism goes on.

What got the teacher into trouble was his protest over a free concert given by the Nubian Gents, an AoG-sponsored step-dancing hiphop group described by Charisma Magazine as getting kids to "dance for God" and turn away from the "wrong path". He suggested - quite rightly, IMNSHO - that the concert should be clearly marked as a religious event, and that an equivalent alternative event should also be provided. Note : he didn't try to get it booted, although he would have been correct to do so. Under Victorian law, you don't get to proselytise by stealth in State schools.

The school's refusal led to a heated exchange, at which point the teacher claims he was threatened with suspension. The school's denying it, but even if they didn't, the teacher's point was valid. Just the few lyrics that are available make it clear that the group's whole schtick is evangelical, right up to the judgment-day-is-coming motif. The group's website describes them as "warriors of praise", infallible word of God, etc.

Anybody else have info on these guys?