Question:
Is there a place for religion in public schools?
Answer: We are clearing
witnessing a dual phenomenon when it comes to the role of religion in
modern society. The New Age movement and the persistent interest in the
religions of South Asia (Buddhism and Hinduism) are evidence of a
renewed curiosity about religion and spirituality. But hard core
secularists, in black-and-white fashion, would like to banish religion
from the public and private sphere because they view it as a pernicious
evil.
To answer today’s question, let’s try to understand what we would mean
by “religion” in the public schools. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921), the son
of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith,
and the appointed interpreter of his father’s teachings, gave a
devastating indictment of the negative side of “religion”: “But when we
speak of religion we mean the essential foundation or reality of
religion, not the dogmas and blind imitations which have gradually
encrusted it and which are the cause of the decline and effacement of a
nation. These are inevitably destructive and a menace and hindrance to
a nation's life…”
The essential reality of religion to which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá refers has more
to do with perennial wisdom and core spiritual and ethical
values as they are lived in daily life than it does with the particular
protective dogmas and doctrines of religion. Although man-made
theologies can be divisive, on questions of “living the life”, the
great world religions do not really contradict one another.
Bahá’u’lláh was explicit on this question: “Schools must
first train the children in the principles of religion…but this in such
a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant
fanaticism and bigotry.”
Canada has become a pluralistic, multi-cultural society. It would
certainly assist the integration and cohesion of Canadian society for
students of all ages to learn about the faith of other men and women.
For those who are anti-religious, values education courses should be
offered. -
Jack
McLean
