[Destro]

head teachers will be able to schedule courses in a subject called Orthodox Culture

This is not the same as religious education and is a fair way to teach about an aspect of a culture to those that are not of the faith.

We should offer Bible studies in our schools in this way, not as a subject of faith but as an aspect of our culture. We are a Judeo-Christian (mostly Protestant) influenced nation and it does no harm to any faith if this influenced serves as a basis for study.>

For example, American Christian fundamentalists should stop resisting the teaching evolution and support the introduction of Biblical studies (they are against this approach if I am not mistaken) that stresses the history and philosophy of our Judeo-Christian tradition as it has influenced our democracy. No morning prayer in school, but you can teach people what Jesus words meant in the Lord's Prayer, or the last supper and their (positive) impact on Western civilization without making it a religous indoctrination.

[Argus]

"Better put on your top hat, comrades, the Organs are finished!"

- Victor Abakumov, head of SMERSH, on the occasion of his own arrest.

[anobjectivist]

How about separation of church and state? If someone wants to learn religion thats fine but it should not be a required course, but an elective.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[riley1992]

FYI

[Salvation]

**We should offer Bible studies in our schools in this way, not as a subject of faith but as an aspect of our culture.**

And history.

[Aquinasfan]

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

Pray that we may all be one as Christ desired.

[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.

[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.

[TopQuark]

The Orthodox Church says teaching religion will help counter alcoholism, AIDS, crime and drug addiction.

This is not even funny: what explains, then, the rampant, wild, centuries-old alcoholism before 1917? These people make it look as if all the evils came from communists. Patently false.

[TopQuark]

I agree with you, Destro: this country was founded by Christians, and its values are deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

What you suggest has been done in this country for centuries, and students of all faiths had no problem learning these notions. This is because it was done in a history class when history was properly taught.

I see risks and no need for making a class such as the one mentioned. What we need is to return to proper education, especially history. NO Jew, Hindu, or Muslim would object to learning how a Christian movement and various philosophical teaching came together in the formation of this great nation --- if it is a part of a history course.

[RnMomof7]

FYI

[Man of the Right]

Good for Russia. Good for us.

It's time to level the playing field between the moral relativists and people of faith. They're succeeding in extirpating religion from our culture under the separation banner. You see, supposedly moral relativism is not a religion. Therefore, moral relativists are free to proselytize their ideology from kindergarten to post-graduate school in the public schools. Because we could afford a choice, we preferred to send our kid to a high school of another faith rather than to a secular private or public school. And he is better for the experience.

[Askel5]

.