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

[crystalk]

You are hardly the target, P. Religous ignorance and complete unawareness of the Biblical, Christian, and thus spiritual foundations of the USA republic is what I would like to see eradicated.

I too would probably fail to pass muster with the guardians of Reformed correctness in Grand Rapids, but like it or not that is the faith our country was founded on, and I think we could venture to know something about it....

But of course, those who home-school or send children to religous and parochial schools right now are part of the solution, part of what is keeping America from going downhill faster than it is, so you are to be commended.

[crystalk]

Mainline Calvinism may not be correct in all respects: I doubt I would pass muster with the creedalists of Grand Rapids either:

But like it or not it is the faith background of the USA founding, and our Consitution and entire way of life owe to it...

The USA body politic has a way of sort of rejecting other faiths BTW, somewhat as the human body rejects organ transplants from other species...Somehow even the Catholicism of long-time Americans has come to reek of Geneva IYSWIM.

[Campion]

this mighty nation with the soul of a church

I know that's a quote from someone, but it sounds like a sick joke post Roe v. Wade, X42, etc.

I and my house will opt out of the Calvinist study course, as well.

[annalex]

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

I am skeptical too. If they are teaching the icons as art, liturgy as music and painted eggs as culture, then that may drive the Orthodoxy even further into matters of appearance as opposed to matters of substance.

[crazykatz]

BTTT,

I think some folks here are maybe(?) just a tad mad because it is not their brand of religion being taught...tough luck, I say.

After what was done to Orthodox Christians under the Soviets, 40 millions of them murdered and/or imprisoned for their Christianity....they are OWED BIG TIME!!

Hurray for Russian Orthodox Christians !!

[crazykatz]

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH is all about substance....and it is about the sacrifice of your life.... sacrifice of self-will.... all for the love of and belief in JESUS CHRIST.

I am so happy that they are doing this in the schools!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

People seem to forget that not every culture shares the fashionable American disdain for God and religion. Russian culture and nationhood are inextricably linked to the Orthodox religion. Once the Soviet nightmare was ended -- once Russians are permitted to be Russians again -- a resurgence of Orthodoxy was inevitable.

At a time when American judges insist that displaying the Ten Commandments on public property is illegal, the Russian parliament meets in a hall adorned with an image of St. George slaying the dragon.

The reversal of roles is, to say the least, ironic.

[SoothingDave]

But like it or not it is the faith background of the USA founding, and our Consitution and entire way of life owe to it...

I'm still trying to figure out how a religion that teaches the absolute sovereignity of God and absolute predestination, imparts the gumption into a people to overthrow their rulers. Wasn't George III ruling America ordained by God?

SD

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

But they were predestined to overthrow the king. Just as you were predestined to type your response. And I was predestined to reply to it.

See how easy it is?

[SoothingDave]

See how easy it is?

Ah yes. Like if I'm predestined to get a beer after work, my wife is predestined to get mad; and if I'm not, she isn't.

I usually take the car to the end of the drive and see if it turns right or left.

SD

[Aliska]

Orthodoxy is a vital aspect of Russian life for over a millenia. It doesn't sound as if it will be taught as indoctrination but rather how it has affected Russian culture. I would think students of all faiths could be enriched by learning about it.

I don't think you can have a proper grasp of Russia without understanding the contributions of orthodoxy.

[annalex]

THE ORTHODOX CHURCH is all about substance.

It is and I want that taught. My fear is that pop-culture that looks Orthodox will be taught instead. No slight of Orthodoxy was intended.

[Aliska]

Your comment sounds snobbish. More and more I am noting that many catholics tend to be smug and snobbish about their religion. Yes, there have no doubt been errors introduced by the protestants, but protestants in the past have been moral, upstanding citizens.

[SoothingDave]

Your comment sounds snobbish. More and more I am noting that many catholics tend to be smug and snobbish about their religion.

He sounds snobbish?

What about the guy claiming that America is founded on his own special religious system? (Calvinism)

Did you see that? Is it "snobbish" to think that every schoolchild needs to learn Calvinism in order to udnerstand America.

Look around. I hardly see where a Catholic responding to a Know Nothing is "snobbish."

SD

[DannyTN]

I find it ironic that Russia allows voluntary classes on Orthodox Christianity in public education, just as America has almost completely banished God from the classroom and now from the Pledge.

We better get back to our roots before we lose the blessings that made us the world's only superpower.

[Aliska]

I missed that post. Calvinism wouldn't explain America because America was not homogenous religiously; there were many sects that made contributions. Now it is fashionable to bash them all by the historians.

Apologists aren't all necessarily snobbish; of late I've detected several catholics who seem to look down their noses at those who were public schooled. On the catholic newsgroup, one guy refers to them as "prots" habitually. As a former "prot", I resent that label.

When I was growing up in the protestant culture, it was remarkably free of negative attitudes toward catholics and I didn't learn derogatory terms from my peers or parents about them. Now I see that catholics had their own brand of prejudice and I had never noticed it before.

[ArrogantBustard]

ROFL!!!! Somebody wants to ram calvinism down everybody's throat, and implies that any other belief is unamerican, and you think I'm a snob??? Go read some of those "Spurgeon" threads (on the Religion forum), for examples of true snobbery.

[Aliska]

I don't read those threads because I don't like their attitudes either (usually). I don't think christianity of any brand has a place for people acting superior.

[ArrogantBustard]

I missed that post.

Post #10, I believe.

Now I see that catholics had their own brand of prejudice and I had never noticed it before.

It isn't prejudice when it's true. Catholics in America don't put blasphemous "comic books" on Protestants' windscreens in the church parking lot, rant about "foreign potentates", etc. What you're seeing is Catholics deciding not to put up with the BS anymore.