The court says it's unlawful on several grounds - firstly, it's not conveyed in an "objective, critical and pluralistic manner" but focuses uncritically on the Christian doctrine; secondly, it doesn't include religions other than Christianity; thirdly, pupils are stigmatised if they decide to opt out of religious teaching.
This is quite a bombshell for Northern Ireland schools, which will have to radically change the way they teach religion. Of course schools should cover a range of religions and not treat Christianity as the only religion worth studying.
The legal action was taken by a father and his daughter who attended a Belfast primary school. She was being taught that Christianity was an absolute truth.
The school defends its religious teaching, saying it's "Bible-based" and follows the core religious syllabus for religion.
I had a look at the core religious syllabus (all 38 pages of it) which says pupils should develop an awareness of the key Christian teachings. Nowhere does it mention any other religions.
I'm astonished that such an obviously biased syllabus wasn't updated decades ago.
If it’s a public school, I’m wondering why there’s a religious class to begin with?
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Me too. But I suppose a religious class that explores a range of religions - and atheism - would be okay.
DeleteIs this secondary schools, or primary schools?
ReplyDeleteWe had RE at secondary school in England but it covered a multitude of religions. I didn't know that Northern Ireland was different.
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Ms Scarlet: It seems to be focused on primary schools. So I wonder what the situation is in secondary schools.
DeleteThat is unusual these days.
ReplyDeleteLiz: It certainly is. But Christianity is a big thing in Northern Ireland and it isn't usually challenged.
DeleteMore orange vs. green? Although, that is more protestant vs. catholic so still Christianity. There is a program here in Minnesota that brings Irish kids here for the summer. The kids are astonished when they figure out the protestants and catholics have been all playing together as if they were just kids.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: Yes, it must astonish them to see kids playing together without all the sectarian bullshit.
DeleteThat's interesting. Here we have Christian, Catholic, and other religious private schools. Religion isn't taught in public schools.
ReplyDeleteMary: So Bijoux was saying. Clearly the States are more enlightened in this respect.
DeleteI can think of worse things being taught in school other than Christianity. Here in Quebec they made a new law not that long ago banning religious symbols.
ReplyDeleteLinda: I don't see any point in banning religious symbols unless they're being used in a way that's intimidatory or elitist.
DeleteReligion is public schools has never been allowed. There is a difference in addressing religion in historical context, such as the crusades, reformation, etc. religious teaching belongs in private religious schools.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Agreed, religion in historical context is fine. Simply teaching Christianity is tantamount to indoctrination.
DeleteWhen the US was being founded, Thomas Jefferson said even a generic religious word like Christian was too much. Therefore, although in their meetings with each other they might pray, the founding fathers did not instil any official religion in the new republic.
ReplyDeleteI remember my elementary teacher, during the Cold War, explaining to us that he would not teach about communism. Why? Because if "he" (he meant generic teachers) posed certain questions he could get us converted to communism (because we were still young and innocent).
Sean: As you no doubt know, the UK has no written constitution and unfortunately nothing much to forbid or limit religious teaching. People get very worked up about communism as if it's some evil cult rather than a better way of living and a more equal society.
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