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What was religious education like where you went to school?
It's merely to try and get an insight into how it is taught around the world.
As I live in Northern Ireland which has been the victim of religious and political prejudices over the past 100 years it struck me as how awful the level of religious education was. In NI at GCSE level it is compulsory to have an hour of RE each week which is fair enough but it's what's being taught that is pointless.
There are units which schools can pick to choose and they only have to teach one, these are the main units Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Roman Catholic church and it's history, religious philosophy and Christian ethics. These are just from one exam board but the others contain essentially the same. They're designed so as if you're a school with predominantly one religion you can teach a course on it, but why are their only courses for one religion? In a time of multiculturalism and huge ethnic diversities in cities surely a mixture of religions should be taught, not in some the sense of being able to see your religious choices you can pick but in a way that you can empathize with others from a different religion so we can build tolerance and a level of acceptance. Especially in Northern Ireland with the Troubles i thought teaching religious diversity would be a key goal.
Just wanted to hear some thoughts.
Mary M. 100+
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Tetzel
"As soon as a coin in the coffer rings / the soul from purgatory springs"
Stewart Gault 30+
Frans Kellner 100+
Because of the new invented printing press they could make a lot of them and the pope needed the money badly to keep all his courtisans happy.
Let's be glad, for without this practice the reformation would never have succeeded and the enlightenment had still yet to come.
We would still be in the dark ages.
Adriaan Braam 20+
I grew up in the Western part of the Netherlands where not too many people followed a religion. Public school had an hour a week which was just reading the Bible and little or no discussion.
As far back as I can remember my family was Swedenborgian and our group was visited by a minister from England 5 or 6 times a year. Then, in 1958 I was given the opportunity to go to a church summer camp in England and loved every minute of the two weeks. http://www.newchurchuk.org/bass/bass.php
Our belief is that every religion has relation to life and that anyone in the world who sincerely lives according to their religion has nothing to worry about. Except those that teach and lead the wrong way. Asking questions is encouraged and discussions are open-minded.
It was because of all this that we moved our family to Canada so our kids could go to the Church school here.
Frans Kellner 100+
For me it was made clear and without doubt that everyone was either catholic or protestant except some that were either communists or strange.
On my catholic school everyone had the same faith and everyone different had to be avoided as potential dangerous or at least not normal. So we would never have met even if we lived in the same street.
At the age of 9 I started to question Christianity all together but it wasn't untill 1964 that schools became more liberal and ecumenical up to the seventies as it all changed fast; at least in the larger cities.
I think that change was the natural result of communication by the media at the time like television and radio. So this will probably happen the world over with time.
Stewart Gault 30+
Adriaan Braam 20+
In itself, there is nothing wrong questioning things. We can't believe what we do not understand or even think are not true. I always say 'we did not get our smarts just to be smart shoppers'
Also, that no one is, or was, ever born to go to hell. The choice is ours.
Stewart Gault 30+
Frans Kellner 100+
Amstelveen I think, was at that time the most modern Dutch place to be .
I did understand though that animals had to be somehow evolved from simple forms to the present variety but didn't dare to tell someone afraid to be treated as mad. At 14 years I told an uncle that didn't attend church and he wasn't surprised to my amazement. Then I learned about Darwin and such and became ever more interested in all knowledge I was deprived from up till then.
If hell was real it wasn't a bad choice for it's the best place to do some good.
Adriaan Braam 20+
Swedenborg spent the last 27 years of his life in heaven and hell daily. Writing down what he experienced and learned. All that taken together is (to us) the Second Coming. In all his writings it is made clear that although no one is born perfect (or dies perfect :) ) no one is born evil either. We are all born with hereditary evil from the many generations before us. We are never held responsible for what we are born with, only what we accept and make our own, in freedom. Everyone !! that dies before their rationality is active and used, goes straight to heaven. The chapter "Children in Heaven" in this book Heaven and Hell tells us all about it.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~abraam/documents/Heaven%20and%20Hell.pdf
The silly notion that anyone that is not baptized goes to hell is ludicrous and is, as many other contraptions, all based on wrong interpretation. That God had His Son murdered to feel better is another one of those. Celibacy is not God's idea and totally uncalled for while also causing much hardship and sexual evil. I'll leave it at this but could go on.
--"..how much of a role does religion play in your country's politics"--
Unless things have changed in the last 30+ years, not much. The Netherlands were known for their freedom of expression even 250 years ago (that's why Swedenborg had many of his books printed there instead of in Sweden). So I do not think that religion plays much of a role in politics.
Frans can tell you more about that than I can.
Obey No1kinobe 50+
Very good secular education.
I was shocked in Australia to discover state run schools have religious instruction classes. You can opt out and sit in the library. Religion is a private matter and should not be taught at state schools in a nation ascribing to separate church and state. Send your kids to Sunday school if you like.
I have no issue teaching about all religions in a comparative or historical sense. I have no issue with students having prayer groups etc. Just not sanctioning religion as part of the formal curriculum etc. There should be no religious chaplains at state schools either.
In general sad to see children programmed into one particular religious view or another before they develop critical functions whether state or private or at home. Religion is often reinforcing or reflecting tribalism.
Linda Taylor 50+
The isolationist method was essential. Questioning was not allowed. Reason was not allowed. Only blind following of the interpretations of the church would get you saved.
Many, many, religious faiths have similar methods. In fact, it is a hallmark of the fundamentalists. I mean fundamentalist Islam, Judaism, Christianity etc. Tolerance and diversity are not a part of the teaching. There is only right (us) and wrong (them).
Obey No1kinobe 50+
I note isolation and discouraging reason and questioning is an approach often attributed to cults.
Linda Taylor 50+
Stewart Gault 30+
I'm not trying to say or imply anything I'm just merely stating what I know
Colleen Steen 500+
Did we go to the same school? Your description sounds very familier!!!
I had 12 years of catholic schooling...we were the ONE true religion...we would be the only ones "saved"...everybody else had it wrong, and were going to hell if they did not eventually see the light and convert. There was fear of other beliefs, and the fear was presented as a way to "protect" us from those "wrong" beliefs. We were not allowed to interact with anyone from another religion...even to the extent of going to weddings/funerals in other churches.
Questioning and reason was not allowed verbally, but I found myself ALWAYS questioning in my mind and heart. There were so many things that were contradictory and hypocritical, and I realized this even as a small child. We were taught to love thy neighbor for example. Then taught that we should only love our neighbor who was catholic because everyone else was "bad" or "wrong" and would no doubt corrupt us, thereby keeping us from heavenly bliss.
I agree Linda, that many religious beliefs and practices seperate people with intolerance and prejudice. There seems to be some core beliefs in religions that are of value...love thy neighbor...do unto others...etc. However, those underlying core values seem to be overshadowed by hate, disrespect, discontent (fear) and dogma, which does NOT encourage unity, but rather continues to disconnect people.
Isolation is a necessary part of controlling people, and it seems that some religions have done a very good job of isolation and control, to the point where many people have given up questioning and exploring their own heart regarding what beliefs to accept and practice.
On a better note, I believe there is a change happening now. Humans are evolving to the point of wanting to think and feel on our own. Communication systems provide connections with people around the world, so it is more difficult to isolate, and corruption that has been happening for centuries in religions is being uncovered.
Stewart Gault 30+
Colleen Steen 500+
Segregated schools contribute to dividing and seperating people, and that is NOT what our world needs if we want to create peace and harmony.
Bernard Seremonia
It worked for me when i drawn almost into "a complete denial on God existence". It helped me much to collect piece by piece of the truth and developed my assertion that God exist :)