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1.
Religious rules of behaviour are said to come from the Almighty Being – God –
however described. Surely the Almighty cannot/should not be questioned
or challenged? So God’s word, even if interpreted by humans hundreds
of years ago is not up for negotiation or updating. You behave in a
responsible manner because God says so and if you dont behave so, you’ll
be punished forever in hell – after of course also being punished on
earth in some way – maybe even death.
How
then is it possible for young people to come to their own realisation
of what is right and wrong? How is it possible for people to behave
responsibly because they want to – not because they want to obey God
or are afraid of God? They can’t because disagreeing or proposing
alternatives, no matter how sensible, would probably incur the wrath
of their parents, congregation and community. They may be outcast –
seen as bad people.
2. How in a religious education class do you deal with the case
where a religious rule outlaws a type of behaviour, which is regarded
as acceptable by many people – homosexuality for example? How can
God’s word be interpreted differently by two groups in the same
religion? Is that rule any good for determining what is responsible
behaviour?
3. How would religious education deal with the case where a
religious practice is against the laws of the land – female
circumcision for example? The situation is intolerable – God says do
one thing which therefore is good but the law of the land, that is
society says it is bad. Would religious educators encourage religious
people to break the law because, as I understand it, the laws of God
are above the laws of humankind? This kind of question cannot be shied
away from in a religious education class.
In extreme cases maybe we do say people should break the law. For
example, say one of my religious laws says that people of another
religion had to be killed and if I didn’t take part I’d be breaking
the law. So yes to be ethical I have to break the law but then that
would be going against God’s will.
4. How does religious education explain the situation where a
religious rule is in place at one time but then is no longer adhered
to twenty or thirty years later? Does this mean that God got it wrong or
changed his/her mind? Who gave permission for the rules to be changed
– some human interpreter?
It
seems that religious education cannot separate itself from the
doctrines and dogmatism of religions. It is therefore a misnomer and
it should be called “religious instruction”. And religious
instruction, as we know form history, can result in humans behaving
very badly towards one another.
There is considerable scope for research in the field of religious
education as values education and Dr Bill would be happy to assist
postgraduate students (with approval of their university or college).
Contact him on
bill@valueseducation.co.uk
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