Is religious education in school important?

Summary

In a recent study, it's revealed that many Academy Schools in the UK neglect religious education, with nearly 500 secondary schools offering zero hours of RE lessons. The debate on the importance of RE in schools is highlighted by Dr. Gavin Ashington, a former chaplain to the Queen, and Steven Evans, CEO of the National Secular Society. While Ashington argues for a broader societal understanding of religion's role in history and geopolitics, Evans calls for a reform in RE law and suggests a focus on religious literacy and civic education to foster social cohesion and respect for diverse beliefs.

Takeaways

• 📊 A recent study reveals that nearly 500 secondary schools in the UK offer zero hours of religious education (RE) to year 11 students.
• 🗣️ Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley criticizes the lack of RE, describing it as a 'gaping hole' in the school curriculum.
• 🏫 Steven Evans from the National Secular Society suggests that instead of enforcing compliance, the law regarding RE teaching needs reform.
• 📚 Dr. Gavin Ashington, a former chaplain, agrees with the need for law reform but emphasizes the importance of RE for understanding societal and historical contexts.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There's a debate on whether the responsibility for religious education should lie with families or be integrated into school curriculums.
• 🌐 Dr. Ashington argues that religion is integral to understanding the UK's history and global geopolitics, particularly Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
• 🏛️ Steven Evans proposes a shift towards a more comprehensive civic and citizenship education that includes religious diversity and freedom of belief.
• 🤔 The discussion points to a broader need for 'religious literacy' to foster social cohesion and mutual respect in a diverse society.
• 🏗️ There's a call for a revitalized approach to education that goes beyond the traditional focus on theology and instead promotes understanding and tolerance of different beliefs.
• 📉 The conversation reflects a perceived decline in the importance of RE and a search for a new purpose that aligns with contemporary societal values.

Q & A

What is the main finding of the new study mentioned in the transcript?

The new study found that many Academy Schools do not offer religious education, with nearly 500 secondary schools having zero hours of RE lessons in year 11.

What does Peter Bottomley, the Father of the House, suggest about the current state of RE in schools?

Peter Bottomley suggests that the neglect of RE leaves a 'gaping hole in our school curriculum'.

What is Steven Evans' view on the necessity of RE in schools?

Steven Evans believes that RE is outdated and unpopular, and that there is a need for reform of the law around RE, rather than forcing schools to comply with it.

What does Dr. Gavin Alington think about the role of RE in providing a wider societal perspective?

Dr. Gavin Alington agrees that while families have a primary role in religious education, the state should help provide a proper education that gives a wider perspective on society's religious roots and development.

How does Dr. Gavin Alington perceive the resurgence of religion in society?

Dr. Gavin Alington notes a significant resurgence of religion, contrary to the secularist views of the 20th century, and emphasizes the importance of understanding religions like Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for understanding geopolitics.

What does Steven Evans propose as an alternative to the current RE curriculum?

Steven Evans suggests a revitalized Civic and citizenship education that teaches children about religious diversity, political literacy, democratic processes, and fundamental British values.

Why does Dr. Gavin Alington believe it's essential to understand religious heritage?

Dr. Gavin Alington argues that understanding religious heritage is crucial for comprehending the country's history and cultural context, even if one does not need to quote the Bible chapter and verse.

What is the importance of teaching children about freedom of religion and belief according to Steven Evans?

Steven Evans emphasizes the importance of teaching children about the freedom of religion and belief to foster respect for diverse beliefs and social cohesion.

What does the discussion suggest about the purpose of RE in modern education?

The discussion suggests that the purpose of RE in modern education is in flux, with some arguing for a broader understanding of religious diversity and others advocating for a focus on civic education and respect for different beliefs.

How does the conversation reflect the differing views on the role of RE in schools today?

The conversation reflects differing views on RE's role, with some seeing it as essential for understanding society and history, while others view it as outdated and in need of reform or replacement with a more inclusive civic education.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Debate on Religious Education in Schools

The video script discusses the findings of a study indicating that many Academy Schools in the UK are not providing religious education. It is revealed that nearly 500 secondary schools offer no religious education lessons in year 11, and about a third do not teach the subject at all. Peter Bottomley, a Member of Parliament, expresses concern that the absence of religious education (RE) leaves a significant gap in the school curriculum. The debate features Dr. Gavin Ashington, former Honorary Chaplain to the Queen, and Steven Evans, Chief Executive of the National Secular Society. They discuss the necessity of RE in schools, with Evans advocating for a reform of the law rather than forcing schools to comply with outdated laws. Ashington argues for the importance of RE in providing a broader societal and historical perspective, while Evans suggests that a focus on citizenship and respect for diverse beliefs is more crucial for social cohesion.

05:01

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Keywords

💡Religious Education (RE)

Religious Education (RE) refers to the teaching of religion and world views in educational institutions. In the video, the discussion centers on the importance of RE in schools, with participants debating whether it should be a mandatory part of the curriculum. The script mentions that many secondary schools do not offer RE, which is a point of contention. The debate highlights the role of RE in fostering understanding of cultural and religious diversity.

💡Curriculum

The curriculum refers to the subjects and courses comprising the educational content provided by schools. The script discusses the crowded nature of the curriculum and the challenge of including RE amidst other subjects. The term is used to emphasize the need for a balanced education that may or may not prioritize RE, depending on societal and legal perspectives.

💡Secular Society

Secular Society refers to a social order that is not influenced by religious institutions or beliefs. In the script, Steven Evans from the National Secular Society argues for a reform of the law around RE, suggesting that it should not be compulsory but rather an understanding of religious diversity and freedom of belief. This reflects the secularist viewpoint that education should be inclusive and not overly focused on religious teachings.

💡Cultural Perspective

Cultural Perspective denotes the way individuals or groups understand and interpret the world based on their cultural backgrounds. Dr. Gavin Ashington in the script argues that while families have a primary role in shaping religious beliefs, the state should provide an education that offers a broader cultural perspective, including understanding the societal impact of religion.

💡Geopolitics

Geopolitics is the study of how political dynamics are influenced by geographic factors, including religion. Dr. Ashington mentions that to understand geopolitics, one must have a firm grasp of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, illustrating how religious education can provide a foundational understanding of global political landscapes.

💡World Views

World Views are the fundamental beliefs or ideas through which individuals interpret the world and their place in it. The script discusses how the term 'religion' is often used to encompass broader world views and philosophies. This concept is integral to the debate on RE, as it suggests that education should not only focus on specific religious teachings but also on the diverse belief systems that shape societies.

💡Social Cohesion

Social Cohesion refers to the degree of social integration and inclusion within society. The script touches on the idea that understanding different religions and beliefs can contribute to social cohesion. Steven Evans suggests that a revitalized civic and citizenship education, which includes teaching about religious diversity, is more important for fostering mutual respect and tolerance.

💡Freedom of Religion and Belief

Freedom of Religion and Belief is the right to hold and express one's religious or non-religious beliefs without interference. This concept is central to the discussion in the script, where the importance of teaching children about this freedom is emphasized. It is suggested that understanding and respecting diverse beliefs is crucial for social harmony and individual rights.

💡Civic Education

Civic Education involves teaching individuals about their rights, responsibilities, and the workings of their society's political system. In the script, the concept is used to argue for an education system that not only teaches about religious diversity but also about political literacy, democratic processes, and fundamental British values, which are essential for creating informed and responsible citizens.

💡Legislation

Legislation refers to the laws and statutes enacted by a governing body. The script discusses the current legislation regarding RE in schools, with participants expressing differing views on whether it should be compulsory or reformed. The term is used to debate the legal framework that governs the inclusion of RE in the curriculum and its potential impact on educational policy.

Highlights

New study reveals many Academy Schools do not offer religious education.

Data shows nearly 500 secondary schools have zero hours of RE lessons in year 11.

About a third of secondary schools do not teach RE.

MP Peter Bottomley argues the neglect of RE leaves a gap in the school curriculum.

Debate on the importance of religious education in schools and its place in the curriculum.

Steven Evans suggests reform of the law around RE is needed, not forced compliance.

Reports recommend reform of RE due to underfunding and unpopularity.

Gavin Ashington agrees with the need for legislative improvement but defends the state's role in RE education.

Ashington argues for a broader perspective on RE beyond family and cultural perspectives.

The importance of understanding religious roots in history and society.

The resurgence of religion and its impact on geopolitics.

Evans emphasizes the importance of teaching freedom of religion and belief.

The need for religious literacy to understand the world and promote social cohesion.

Ashington highlights the role of religion in understanding one's own history and heritage.

Evans calls for a revitalized civic and citizenship education over a deep theological understanding of religion.

The debate concludes with a call for a broader educational focus on citizenship and respect for diverse beliefs.

Transcripts

our new study has shown that many

Academy Schools don't offer religious

education the data shows that nearly 500

secondary schools have no hours zero

hours of re lessons in year 11 and about

a third ofies do not teach uh the

subject uh Worthing West MP s Peter S

Peter bottomley father of the house of

course uh said the neglect of re leaves

quote a gaping hole in our school

curriculum we're asking is religious

education in school

importance does it deserve that space in

the school curriculum we're joined by Dr

Gavin ashington former honory chaplain

to the queen and Steven Evans the chief

executive of the national secular

society Steven Evans will begin with you

if I may I suppose schools will say some

schools will say it's a very crowded

curriculum we're trying to cram a lot of

information into young minds something's

got to

give well indeed um I I think the the

thrust of the report uh that's been

published seems to be suggesting that

government should tell ofstead compel

schools to comply with the law on re

teaching but what I think's really

needed is reform of the law around Arin

um and not some kind of strong armed

tactics to can force schools to comply

with what is very much an outdated and

quite an unpopular law around re uh re

there's been a slew of reports over

recent years that's been recommending um

reform of re uh it's underfunded it's

unpopular I think it's lacking in a

clear purpose as well so I think we need

to need to look at Ari I think there's

something important in arri but it's

probably not best delivered through a

subject called religious education gav

ashon what do you say to those uh

parents who say look if religion is

going to play a role in my children's

life it needs to come from the family

not the

school Yes actually to my great surprise

I agree with quite a lot of what Steve

said that legislation isn't particularly

good there's always room for an

improvement of it but as to your

question that it should be privatized in

the family well to some extent of course

that's true that that happens there is a

primary responsibility in the family but

the problem is the family are always

going to come from a particular cultural

perspective and what you need is the

state to help provide a proper education

that gives a much wider perspective the

whole of our society is based upon

religious roots and development in

history and to much to everyone's

surprise I think far from religion dying

out which is what the secularists in the

20th thought there been a huge

Resurgence you simply can't understand

geopolitics unless you have a firm grasp

of Christianity Judaism and Islam for

except for example and also secularism I

think part of the problem is that that

the way we use the word religion we're

really talking about World Views uh and

and philosophies so I have no objection

to tidying up the way in which the law

understands the way we educate people

but it's absolutely essential that the

state should provide a proper diet and a

proper education Steph Evans Gavin makes

the point there that you can't really

understand you know you need to dis

demystify other religions if you to have

social cohesion we sort of get that

argument there's another argument which

I want to introduce that you can't

understand your own history if you don't

understand the fact that this this

country was was deeply Christian for,

1600 years you know I remember recently

being surprised that a nephew of mine uh

was watching a film and the Lord's

Prayer was was said and it seemed to be

new to him and I thought well how can

you really understand this country

without a working knowledge of its

religious Heritage you don't need to be

able to quote the Bible chapter and

verse but you you need to know bits of

it well of course religion will

naturally come up in subjects such as

history but I also agree that there's a

real value in teaching children about

religion and belief diversity the

diversity that exists in the UK but also

that exists more broadly around the

world I think you do need a degree of

knowledge of religion and belief

literacy to understand the world around

you and the people that you're living

side by side with but what I think is

actually more important is that we give

children an understanding of the

importance of freedom of religion and

belief the idea that people will hold

different beliefs and we respect their

right to hold those beliefs we respect

their right to express those beliefs and

we respect their right to manifest those

beliefs in so far as they're not causing

harm to society or anyone else so I

think we what we really need is a a

revitalized Civic and citizenship sort

of Education that teaches children about

religious diversity but other things

like political literacy the Democratic

process um fundamental British values uh

the rule of law Justice um you know and

and and just respect and tolerance of

other people's faith and beliefs I think

that's a more important thing for

encouraging social cohesion and

understanding of each other I think

that's more important than a deep

theological understanding of religion

which was AR's original purpose but that

purpose has gone now I think it's a

subject in search of a purpose I think

we need citizenship rather than AR okay

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