One parent alleged that
two of her children were attending a PCYC homework group that was being run by
two Hillsong volunteers who one evening visited her home demanding she sign
forms allowing her children to attend Hillsong Church
activities.
The alleged activity
follows Central revelations last week that a petition supporting the Rosebery
proposal for a 2700-seat superchuch contained alleged fraudulent entries.
“They came around at dinner time with the forms filled out and told me the
girls wanted to go,” the parent, who declined to be named, said.
“They were so pushy
that it put me off.
“They were supposed
to be helping with homework, but instead they were ear bashing my children with
religion.
“I’m sure they do
some community good, but it’s my choice to get involved not theirs.”
The Waterloo woman said she believed other
parents had had similar experiences.
South Sydney PCYC
manager Caroline Bateson denied
there had been problems with Hillsong volunteers. “A few years ago, I
worked with two volunteers who were members of Hillsong Church,”
she said in a statement.
“In my experience,
they never mentioned anything about church or talked with any of the young
people about church, or religious beliefs.” Ms Bateson said that there
were no longer any members of Hillsong involved at the PCYC, but would not
confirm that she was once a volunteer for Hillsong.
Redfern and Waterloo community group
REDWatch held a public meeting two years ago in response to community concerns
about Hill-song’s activities.
“The main issue
that we heard was from parents worried that the volunteer base at PCYC was
being supplied by Hillsong people and that those people were influencing the
kids to go to Hillsong activities,” spokesman Geoff Turnbull said.
Hillsong had not
responded to Central’s questions at the time of going to press.
Picture: Phil Rogers –
South Sydney PCYC, where volunteers are alleged to be recruiting.
Source: Central 23rd April 2008