Schools dust off religious studies (Russia)- traditions of Orthodoxy, asceticism, liturgy, Bible

smh ^

[chance33_98]

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.

[Sparta]

Funny how Russia is fast embracing freedom and the US is quickly embracing socialism.

[chance33_98]

Ping

[John Locke]

God bless Holy Russia.

[Sungirl]

This is good news!

[keats5]

As a little girl, I remember my public school teachers telling me how the Soviet communists wouldn't let teachers say prayers in schools. I was shocked.

[chance33_98]

kruschev was more right then even he knew in some ways...

[crazykatz]

PING!!

[The_Reader_David]

Let Holy Rus arise!!!

[LiteKeeper]

Russia has experienced atheistic, religion-free life since 1917. We are just moving into that era, relatively speaking. They know what it is like; the "enlightened" here only think they know. How sad...for us.

[FormerLib]

Expanding the ping.

Truly amazing.

My mind goes back to the stories of how the Soviets insured atheism in the schools under the mask of secularism (NOT! the same thing) and how Mussolini ordered crucifixes removed from the classrooms of Italy.

[ELS]

bump

[Stavka2]

Here's one that might surprise quite a lot of you, as a devout Orthodox, I am fully against such a measure. Religeon in public schools should not be taught from a religeous point of view nor should it be a manditory class. Further more, if the Chruch wishes to teach religion, then it needs to set up religious schools and Sunday school classes...where people can go voluntarly to learn about the "Orthodox" culture. Russia is created of many ethnic groups and religions, it is a federation, this will only hurt not help said federation. While the Orthodox Church is the main faith of the nation and should remain so, it needs to go about the same routes as everyone else, because I highly doubt that they would want Catholic culture or Jewish culture or Buddist culture classes manditorly taught.

This is no more freedom then having atheism force fed to the population, now it's just another faith. Let me ask you Catholics and Orthodox in America this: how would you like to have your kids force fed Puritanist Culture, after all, that was what founded America. Or should all Christian kids in Isreal be force fed Jewish Culture in schools? Government schools must be secular because no population is 100% homogenous, religion belongs in churchs, the home and church schools.

[keats5]

Read the article. Religion is being taught as part of a culture class, and it is not a manditory class.

[Stavka2]

Actually, as pointed out in previous articles and as was the past and as the Church is trying to make into the present, it will be manidtory and will in effect be a Sunday school class every day at a public school. Do you think they just came up with this? It's been around for quite some time and is simply wrong in a multi religious federation. I'm all for Church education, but there's a place for it: Church.

[keats5]

What articles show a required daily Sunday school?

Frankly, I believe that public schools grossly neglect their duties when they fail to teach kids the main tenants of the world's greatest religions I'm not saying kids should be forced to worship these religions during school time. But every school child should know what Christains, Jews, Islamics, Buddists and Hindus believe. As has become quite clear recently, knowledge of such religions plays a critical role in national defense.

[Stavka2]

If you are teaching the tenents in a neutral way, like a social studies class, then by all means, not an issue, but this is not the same thing. This is Sunday school in each class, direct religious studies: here follow this Schools To Teach Orthodox Culture

Particularly look at this quote:
Yashchenko, who has a doctorate in pedagogical science, said he led the group of educators who compiled the program from what is already being tested in the Noginsk district of the Moscow region, Smolensk, Kursk, Belgorod and other regions of Russia. Although the intention is to immerse children in the Orthodox worldview, the course is taught by regular teachers and does not include any church ritual. "Priests may be consultants," he said.
The 30-page document is a vast catalogue of themes, including Biblical subjects, Orthodox tradition, asceticism, liturgy, literature and art. By the end of the course, a student could be asked to write a paper on one of 64 subjects, such as "Faith and Science," "Moscow as the Third Rome" or "Orthodox Understanding of Freedom."

Sorry, this belongs in Sunday schools and only in Sunday schools or Church financed schools.

[keats5]

From the same article you cited: "The ministry says the course, which it recommends teaching once a week in primary school and twice a week in secondary school, is to be part of the main curriculum but with attendance to be voluntary."

[peter the great]

Okay lets review, we have the former Soviets rejecting communism, and embracing Christianity and the flat tax. What is wrong with this picture?