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

[Polycarp]

You certainly don't assume I am Christian, although I stated that I am

Catholics assume one is indeed a Christian if they call themselves Christian (and especially if their life reveals the workings of Grace in their souls.)

Only God Himself can and should decide who really is a Christian (with obvious exceptions, i.e., those like the LDS and Universalists who openly deny central tenets of Christianity.)

Anyone who takes it upon themselves to judge whether another really is a Christian is indeed committing that sin talked about so clearly in scripture.

[RnMomof7]

FYI

[crazykatz]

You are absolutely CORRECT!!

Anyway, I heard an evangelical pastor say that, " Roman Catholics do not believe in the Resurrection...because they ALWAYS picture Christ ON THE CROSS!!"

What a lie!!

Anyway, I heard MANY, MANY of their made-up stories from some former evangelicals who converted to Orthodoxy a couple of years ago. I was ashamed for the evangelicals. For them to tell such lies...and then, to profess to be teaching about Christ.

I find it so odd that somebody keeps referring to a "turf wars"....hey, RUSSIA BELONGS TO RUSSIANS. THEY CAN ALLOW WHO THEY WANT INTO THEIR "TURF". America used to be like that....and, it was a better place, then.

[Destro]

If the evangelicas or whatever group were true Christians they would send the "native" churches in these lands funds and people to help them rather than trying to elbow them out and take people away from one version of worship to another. Those Churches of whatever denomination can not claim to save souls when their actions are souless and greedy.

All I argue is self restraint among Christian groups. Sow your seeds in virgin fields rather than acting like weeds choking the flowers already found growing there.

[crazykatz]

You know what I like the most about the Russian Government....that they make the protestants of the USA so angry...and that those protestants CANNOT do one single thing about it!!

[Destro]

If I lived in India, even as a non Hindu would I not benifit from knowing what the Hindu faith was and how it affects my homeland? Same should apply to America as it will apply to Russia.

[crazykatz]

bttt

[Destro]

I feel eleni121 and especially Motherbear have taken and used my own words in ways I did not intend them. What I wrote was that the Russian are going to teach Orthodoxy from a cultural point of view.

This education is not a religious indoctrination but designed to teach Russia's students about an important element that shaped their culture.

Protestant and Catholics had little to do with shaping the Russian way of viewing the world. In the USA, such teaching would lean heavily on Protestant theology, but so what? The USA is a Protestant nation in origin and thought.

Somehow Motherbear turned this concept upside down. My views on Christians trying to convert fellow Christians still stands but is not the point of this article.

[crazykatz]

TOM, I just wish AMERICANS PROTESTANTS would cast the mote out of their country before they start running around and tell everybody else, in RUSSIA, how poor their religion is.

[Destro]

Slightly off subject, but have you guys read my latest post? THE FALL OF ORTHODOX ENGLAND

[TopQuark]

Exactly. It's just does not have to be a course on religion.

[MarMema]

You're fine, everyone is fine. Just relax. God is running the show and the story will unfold according to His will.
Let's all just worship God and hope the muslims are having a declining birthrate.

[MarMema]

It's ok. We appreciate your support and interest! When are you getting chrismated, anyway? LOL.

[MarMema]

Oh YOU, the newly chrismated one. I told you a long time ago that I was going to ask for your prayers just after you were chrismated. I am now doing so.

[MarMema]

Btw, I send my kids to an Evangelical camp in the summers sometimes. They come home with some great songs and stories.

[TopQuark]

With all due respect, Destro, it may be that it is you who misses the point: religion has proven to be a divisive issue and teaching a dominant religion in modern times will create social problems. You tell us that you would like to see people knowing their culture, and we all agree with you. But then teach culture not religion, history and not religion. It is in a history course that you talk, at length, about how Protestants and Puritans in particular shaped this country. You cannot do that without explaining the essense of faith and you should do so. But as part of history and culture, as you advocate.

I'll give you another example. Most of the great art, until a hundred or so years ago, dealt with religion --- Christianity, to be precise, since Judaism prohibited that activity. Much of the beauty created therefore is about Christ. Every art history student must know the essence of Christianity if he or she is to understand and know art. These student learn all that, whether they are Christian, Hindu, or Jewish. Yet nobofy teaches them religion per se. That is the difference.

All this has been practiced in this country for centuries, until about 30 years ago.

[OldCorps]

Motherbear,

I reread my post and upon reflection I can see it is vague. What I meant to write is yes, I believe you are a Christian because you believe in Christ.

I also meant to write that it is not for me to say who is or who is not to be saved. Ultimately I go to church to worship God and seek salvation. I meant to write that I make no judgements on your or anyone else's salvation. That is our Savior's determination. However, I know deep down that were I to apostasize from Orthodoxy and become a Protestant I would be putting my salvation at risk.

I hope this sets the record straight. I wish you a blessed day of Resurection.

[FormerLib]

If the evangelicas or whatever group were true Christians they would send the "native" churches in these lands funds and people to help them rather than trying to elbow them out and take people away from one version of worship to another.

AMEN!

[FormerLib]

So why is it that you only believe they are recieving the gospel if they recieve it wrapped according to your specifications? Why don't you help the Russian church reach all of these unchurched people you talk about? If you aren't trying to get something out of it for yourself, what would be the problem with that? Don't tell me the Russian Orthodox Church isn't Christian enough for you!