AUSTRALIA'S young are growing up in a moral vacuum because many schools do not teach ethics or religious education and values, a visiting UK academic says.
The vice principal of the University of London's Heythrop College, Dr Peter Vardy, believes discussions about films such as the Harry Potter series could be used to alleviate the problem.
Dr Vardy said the lack of teaching of religious education and values, particularly in state schools, meant young people were unable to think deeply on issues such as God's existence, life after death, the nature of good and evil and ethical questions about genetics, sex and euthanasia.
"The problem in Australia is, if you mention the word 'religion' they immediately think it means indoctrination," he said.
"It does not mean someone saying 'believe this, not that' . . . these are important questions which need to be addressed in schools and thought through."
Dr Vardy, who spoke to educators on the topic at Sacred Heart College yesterday, said modern films like Avatar, Twilight, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter could be used by teachers to raise these issues with students and generate discussion.
"J.K. Rowling said when she wrote Harry Potter she wanted young people to reflect on the question of death," he said.
"Lord Voldemort feared death above all else . . . while Professor Dumbledore saw death as the next great adventure."
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