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Teaching our children about other religions

 Why we teach our children about other religions

In his life on earth Jesus showed a respect for those within and outside his own faith community; for example his encounter with the Samaritan woman (John 4) and the healing of the Roman centurion’s servant (Luke 7). This encourages Christians to do likewise.

 

We live in a pluralistic country with people of different races, cultures and religions.

 

Within our schools we are seeking to educate all pupils of whatever religion to be able to live a way of life that integrates their beliefs with all other aspects of what it means to be human. As part of this, they must learn to live alongside others who are different and hold alternative views, including religious views.

 

Children today live in a fast changing global world, where communication and travel opens them to diversity and challenge. It is important that we prepare them for this. Jesus, who is the fullness of God’s revelation to humanity, showed respect for those within and outside his own faith community. The Church calls us to be committed to respecting people of other religions and to recognise that God is at work in them. The opening words of the document Gaudium et Spes expresses well our common humanity:

“The joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the people of our time… are the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of the followers of Christ as well.”

 

The Church teaches that, whilst living out our Christian faith, we are called to listen in dialogue and be ready to learn from those of other faiths, many of whom may, be our neighbours.

The Bishops of England and Wales in Catholic Schools and Other Faiths (1997)44 suggest that schools need to:

“find ways in which pupils can learn to engage in dialogue and to develop an attitude of respect for religious diversity. This will necessitate the inclusion of a broader study of both Christianity and of other world faiths in the Religious Education syllabus. . . .

At the very least this will entail learning about such communities – their beliefs, traditions, religious practices, etc. But it may also mean learning from them, through encounter and dialogue at various levels. In a multi-faith society it is becoming increasingly important for Christians of all ages to reflect positively on the inter-faith relationships.”

 

(from Come & See teacher resource book)

How we teach our children about other religions.
 

Pupils are encouraged not simply to learn facts about other religions but also to reflect upon them and gain insights from them.

The teaching of other religions for primary-aged children is about how the members of that faith community live as a family and how they worship. It begins from the faith community’s own understanding of itself and what it is to be a member of a particular community.

Within our schools we are seeking to educate all pupils of whatever religion to be able to live a way of life that integrates their beliefs with all other aspects of what it means to be human. As part of this, they must learn to live alongside others who are different and hold alternative views, including religious views.

some principles we follow in school

  • Each religion is taught separately in order to avoid confusion. Comparison can lead to inaccurate teaching and does not do justice to the integrity of each religion. Comparisons may be noted by the pupils, but that will not be the starting point of the teaching.
  • Teaching of Judaism needs special attention because of the intrinsic relationships between Judaism and Christianity – our very roots lie in Judaism. However, while it is important to teach about Jesus’ Jewish background this should be taught separately from modern Judaism as a world faith.
  • When you handle ritual objects, which are important to people of other religions, we do so with reverence and respect.
  • Learn from a member of the religion, make a visit to a place of worship, but take care to check out speakers and visits. Ideally it is best to learn about religions from members of that religion but that is not always possible; if you do go to a place of worship find out what is expected of you in terms of dress and behaviour, prepare the group well so that there are no surprises.
  • As with Christianity there are various expressions of any one religion. What is being taught here is a middle of the road view. It is too complex and confusing to go into too much detail about variations within religions. Judaism might be an exception, for example, where it is explained that in some synagogues the women sit separately from the men and don’t read and in others women are more integrated.
  • Use of videos and the internet. There are many good websites and videos, but check them out carefully; not all videos and internet sites are of the same quality.
  • Take care at assemblies or collective acts of worship. A show and tell information sharing is acceptable but we cannot worship as people of another religion, to do so would give the wrong message and might compromise the integrity of the Catholic faith.
 Which other faiths are taught?
 
In accordance with our diocesan guidelines we teach our children about Judaism and Islam. We generally reach Judaism in the Autumn term and Islam in the Spring term. In the Summer term we focus on the theme of 'Celebrating difference' , where each class choses another specific religion to explore.  
 
 
The process

Each topic has an overview with some background information for the teacher, a description of the process of the teaching of that religion and a list of possible resources and key words.

  • LOOK: a very short introduction to the topic, starting with the children’s own familiar  experience.
  •      DISCOVER: is the main section of teaching and learning about this religion and includes a range of activities which might include a visit to a place of worship, or a video.
  •      RESPECT: is the plenary when children are given the opportunity to reflect on what they have learnt, appreciated and respected and what it means for the followers of that religion.