Religion in Schools - Oh My God!
Tony Collins' story in a recent edition of the Birmingham Mail about the importance of youngsters' spiritual development made very interesting reading. So why is religious education treated like a hot potato in some schools?
Pamela Taylor, the principal of Birmingham's Newman University College, said: "the spiritual and emotional development of young people has never been more important." She goes on to say: "encouraging dialogue and understanding between different groups ... has never been so vital."
As a Christian myself, I am not surprised at her comments - I believe that all of us have a God-shaped void in our lives that only He can fill. My faith teaches me that God is interested in every area of our lives and wants to build relationships with us. So, as education is important to us, it is to God too. That's why I'm working with Christian Media Services, bringing stories of the tangible benefits of Christian faith to the world.
That said, why is Religious Education not been given full expression in schools and why is Christianity, in particular, marginalized in certain areas?
Recognition and respect should be given to all faiths in all schools, regardless of the religious make-up of that school. So what if the school is, for example, majority Hindu? That does not mean you only teach Hinduism there. Are these Hindu kids not going to encounter anyone of any other faith for the rest of their lives? And what about the non-Hindu kids in that school?
Education authorities need not be frightened of our religious differences, and more importantly, they shouldn't allow our children to be.
The society I grew up in was multi-cultural too and there was a better understanding of cultural /religious diversity because each faith was taught and discussed freely in school.
Kids are growing up now without any real understanding of other faiths, aside from that gained from lurid headlines and extremist views.
The lack of education into these issues at an early age is only storing up the potential for misunderstanding, fear and hatred when these youngsters grow up.
Am I going too far?
Do you think the lack of religious teaching in schools contribute to fear and disharmony? Did you do RE in school? Did it help or hinder your relations with people of different cultures/ faiths?
God Bless ... and I mean that whatever you call Him,
Veron
www.GMAgency.co.uk
Older/Newer
« Time to Ask Real Questions | Tragedy Should Give Us a Mortality Check »
2 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Veron Graham - telling it like it is.
Nah,I don't think youre goin off on one, Veron mate. Theres too much silliness goin on about religion. I mean whats the problem in learnin about other peoples religions and stuff. I did at school and it did me alright.
I enjoyed RE at school when I was growing up, it allowed me to learn more about other cultures, other faiths, and other people's lives (way of living etc).
I keep hearing that it's PC to not do this anymore, but PC to whom, because I do not hear this from any of the religions but from bureaucrats who I do not believe actually find out about these things.
And although I know not everyone follows religion, but I do think it pertinent to learn. It can be very rewarding and enlightening.
I think with a lack of RE in schools, it is helping towards this trend of ignorance.
I think all schools need to be open to teaching kids about religions and faiths - it would help make better cohesion and understanding. I know some worry it is shoving religion in people's faces, but I think they are wrong in thinking this. It's not about conversion but about learning about other people.
BTW I am not religious, but have faith and believe part of this was to do with my enjoyment of RE.