As part of its 'Watercooler' segment on the 9am with David & Kim program, Channel 10 presented a discussion about the question "Should we allow religion in schools?" Joining regular hosts David Reyne and Kim Watkins, were special guests Sherene Hassan from the Islamic Council of Victoria, and Bill Firman, Principal at De La Salle Catholic College. The Atheist Foundation of Australia called upon Secular Party president John Perkins to represent them in the discussion.

Dr Perkins started the discussion by expressing the view that the current practice of teaching religion in religious schools is undesirable and divisive. He said that rather than indoctrinating children with one particular "true" religion, children should be taught about religion, but allowed to make up their own minds what to believe when they are old enough. He said that the practice of dressing children in religious attire such as headscarves was inconsistent with this aim.

Naturally the religious proponents on the panel disagreed with this proposition, arguing that their own form of education did in fact encourage an open mind. However when pressed by David Reyne, they had to admit that of course they did obviously promote a particular religious view "as advertised" in accordance with their sectarian denomination.

Kim Watkins raised the issue that teaching values in schools was important. John Perkins again led the discussion by agreeing with this, stressing however, that religion was not necessary for this, and it was far better to teach values based on universal principles such as compassion, honesty freedom and justice. The religionist proponents were quick to assert that they too stood for such universal values, somewhat oblivious to the fact that imparting divisive religious doctrines into children has the inevitable effect of producing a society wrought by conflicts in which such values are not respected.

Later, the discussion moved to the question of religious holidays. David Reyne asked whether we should keep the ones we have as Christmas and Easter are overtly Christian ones, or whether we should have more, in respect of other religions. All the panellists agreed that for traditional reasons we were highly likely to keep the holidays mostly as they are. On a light hearten note, John Perkins said that as these holidays were all originally pagan celebrations, it was quite appropriate that they be allowed to revert to their former state.