Posted on 11/22/2002 10:19:31 AM PST by 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
In a certain way "YES", orthodox church is pretty much the religion of choice between Russia and the former Soviet Republics. As a matter of fact Orthodoxy is widely spread between most of the Eastern Block Countries, especially among the Slavic speaking states, not to mention Greece where the Orthodox Church has it's roots.
The Russians are by and large almost 90% Orthodox. Do not confuse Russians with other former Soviet States which some of them have a majority of population of muslim descent. The Jews are very limited, because the majority of them allready emigrated to Israel, since the collapse of the USSR Empire.
Having lived in Romania(an Eastern Block Country) for about 10 Years, I claim to know something about Orthodox Church. Romania, was founded by the Romans(hence the name),but never adopted the RomanCatholic religion, instead adopted the Orthodox Church because the close proximity to Russian Borders(North/East).
One, I can tell you, the Orthodox folks are not PC by a long shot, now or ever, thats a given. You will never find a Russian giving up his faith, because of court ordered ACLU(or the equivalent of)separation of church and state... cooked up law suit, like we have here in the good ol'USA.
It is one thing that I noticed...the Orthodox church is still sticking to the basics...unlike the Catholic church is trying to be so...PC.
You know something'...the Orthodoxy Religion is quiet a Christian One except that is viewed from a different angle.
Russia is primarily Orthodox and will always be so.
"....Arise, then, O Lord, our God; may Thine hand be lifted up. Forget not Thy wretched, miserable ones to the end. Let God also arise in the hearts of all the other nations of the present day, that they might extend to one another a mutual, brotherly embrace, having forgiven everything by the resurrection, and having ceased from the bloody fray; and that they might again acquire their spiritual strength, their happiness, and their true life in Christ, the Victor over hell and death."
From the Paschal Epistle Of the Most-Blessed Metropolitan Anastasii, the First-Hierarch Of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Belgrade, 1940. I usually post the whole thing but having just done it recently am refraining and only posting the ending. :-)
Culture serves as a lovely introduction to a church which then can allow people to consider it. Just as it did in the case of our family. It avoids proselytizing but shares the historical Russia with her present people.
Only God can dispense salvation, and so your missionaries are also limited in their abilities.
On this your day of entrance, may God bless you and your family and bring to you the sobornost of the family you are entering. Many Years!!!
Please join me in wishing katnip and her son Many Years!!!
After a certain level, yes. But in the earlier years a very important element of education is indoctrination, where the child is brought into the cultural community. As I said, Orthodoxy and Russian-ness are inseparable, so the inculturation of little Russian children should include an immersion in the ancient values, art, and doctrine of their religion.
I believe that values-free technical education is not really values-free at all, but implicitly brings with it a vulgar materialism and soullessness that we see everywhere in "Western" youth.
Courses to enhance purely technical or technological proficiency should be reserved until after the student has a firm cultural and religious foundation.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.