Hi all, this is my first post here, and it's regarding a serious issue for me. First of all, I'm in year 11 at a catholic school in Victoria and I'm a passionate atheist. My parents are both secular and I was never baptised. I am personally apalled and offended by the Catholic church and their practises. My parents wanted me to have a private education, however there is no secular private schools in my region, so I was forced to go to a catholic school in that regard. I have had to go to many school masses, however I am sick and tired of going to their celebrations when I have no belief in it. Now here's my question. Does the school have the right to force me to celebrate and participate in their masses even though I am an atheist? If I am found out to be skipping masses (as I have been doing) I will have to face the principal and possibly be told to leave the school. I have participated (painfully) in RE classes since year 7 which is fair because I signed up to the catholic school system, but I think it is unconstitutional (Australia/Victoria) and against my right to freedom of religion to force me to participate in masses. Am I wrong here? Will my argument be reasonable if I ever get contested? Thanks. The Irreverent Mr Black 4th May 2010, 01:37 PM Welcome KP. Your school may have a compulsory attendance rule, being