Russia to introduce Orthodox religious education in schools for the first time since the Tsars

smh.com.au ^ | November 20 2002 | The Telegraph, London

[Destro]

Schools dust off religious studies

November 20 2002

Russia is to introduce Orthodox religious education in schools for the first time since the Tsars.

Under a controversial proposal by the Education Ministry, head teachers will be able to schedule courses in a subject called Orthodox Culture.

The Education Minister, Vladimir Filippov, has proposed the course, which will not be compulsory. Opponents of the plan say the multi-ethnic nature of Russia, home to many Muslims, Jews and Buddhists, makes it unsuitable.

In the time of the Tsars children studied divine law, a course offering Orthodox religious and moral guidance. After the revolution in 1917, religious studies were replaced by courses in Marxism and Leninism. History, geography and other subjects were tailored to suit the ideological requirements of the Communist leaders.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 education has remained secular, but in recent years the resurgent Orthodox Church has called for the inclusion of religious studies.

The timetable for introducing the new course is unclear, but officials say a 30-page document issued by the Education Ministry sets out the subject matter to be included. Topics will include the traditions of Orthodoxy, asceticism, the liturgy and the Bible, as well as religious art and literature.

The Orthodox Church says teaching religion will help counter alcoholism, AIDS, crime and drug addiction.

The Telegraph, London

[Destro]

head teachers will be able to schedule courses in a subject called Orthodox Culture

This is not the same as religious education and is a fair way to teach about an aspect of a culture to those that are not of the faith.

We should offer Bible studies in our schools in this way, not as a subject of faith but as an aspect of our culture. We are a Judeo-Christian (mostly Protestant) influenced nation and it does no harm to any faith if this influenced serves as a basis for study.>

For example, American Christian fundamentalists should stop resisting the teaching evolution and support the introduction of Biblical studies (they are against this approach if I am not mistaken) that stresses the history and philosophy of our Judeo-Christian tradition as it has influenced our democracy. No morning prayer in school, but you can teach people what Jesus words meant in the Lord's Prayer, or the last supper and their (positive) impact on Western civilization without making it a religous indoctrination.

[Argus]

"Better put on your top hat, comrades, the Organs are finished!"

- Victor Abakumov, head of SMERSH, on the occasion of his own arrest.

[anobjectivist]

How about separation of church and state? If someone wants to learn religion thats fine but it should not be a required course, but an elective.

[weikel]

I agree but it is an elective.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[A. Pole]

How about separation of church and state?

Wher do you find "separation of church and state" in the Constitution?

[Destro]

Not religious instruction at all. Teaching about the influence of Christianity on our civilization is not teaching a faith. I am not intrested in saving anyone's soul.

[weikel]

Im fine as long as its an elective. Being an engineering student I'd personally be pissed if I was forced to take a BS liberal arts religion course however.

[Destro]

see above. Good for the Russians.

[crystalk]

All Americans, in the public schools, ought to be instructed thoroughly in the teachings of mainline Reformed protestantism, which was the faith and/or religious background of the founders of the country. They should know every detail, every in and out, of what this faith holds and why, including Bible and other sources.

Note well: they do not have to hold or espouse this faith, or contribute to it. But anyone who does not understand Calvinism cannot understand America or its Enlightenment soul, this mighty nation with the soul of a church.

[Destro]

I am talking about grade school through high school as an addition to social studies classes.

[riley1992]

FYI

[philosofy123]

The constitution requires that the state shall not be partial to one religion over the others. Meaning, that the protestants should not dominate the Catholics, or the reverse. Our founding fathers did not care about any other relgion, since there were non in any significant number then. Now, we have so many non-Christian people who are demanding recognition and respect per the so called separation of church and state? I have no problem with that as long as it is a two ways street.

[Destro]

What the Russians are doing, which is very clever is teaching the faith as culture. I think such an approach would pass constitutional scrutiny, IMHO.

[billybudd]

Your expectations of public schools are too high. They do what you talk about in universities, but even then the quality ain't too good.

[Polycarp]

All Americans, in the public schools, ought to be instructed thoroughly in the teachings of mainline Reformed protestantism, which was the faith and/or religious background of the founders of the country. They should know every detail, every in and out, of what this faith holds and why, including Bible and other sources.

Thank God we homeschool (using a thoroughly Catholic curriculum.)

Russia to introduce Orthodox religious education in schools for the first time since the Tsars

...Interesting...Fatima bump ping

[Salvation]

**We should offer Bible studies in our schools in this way, not as a subject of faith but as an aspect of our culture.**

And history.

[Aquinasfan]

That's great news if they're teaching the Orthodox religion and not "Orthodox culture."

Pray that we may all be one as Christ desired.

[ArrogantBustard]

ought to be instructed thoroughly in the teachings of mainline Reformed protestantism,

The last time I heard that claim, it was from a guy who liked to wear a white sheet and a funny pointed hat. Thanks be to God, and at considerable cost to my parents, I didn't have to attend a school which taught your calvinist errors.

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

"How about separation of church and state?"

"Where do you find "separation of church and state" in the Constitution?

And who says that Russia should be subject to the U.S. Bill of Rights any way?