Russia to Teach Religion and Ethics in Public Schools

Jul 27th, 2009 • Posted in: News

Effort is part of Kremlin initiative to teach morality after period of corruption and turbulence

MOSCOW
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev last week announced a pilot project to require the schoolchildren to take classes in religion or ethics.

The Associated Press reports that the proposal is part of a Kremlin effort to teach morality in a turbulent period of corruption and violence that followed the collapse of the totalitarian Soviet Union.

Preteens at about 12,000 schools are expected to participate in the project, which will offer a course in secular ethics or studies of various religions, including Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and the Russian Orthodox Church.

Medvedev also said he will establish a permanent chaplain service in the armed forces, reports Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant.

English-language Russian daily Moscow Times reports that proponents say religious and ethics education would boost the morals and morale of the younger generations, while critics warn that the project could degenerate into a vehicle for religious propaganda.

If successful, the plan could be extended to all students in Russia, according to the BBC.

Sources: AP, July 22 — BBC, July 22 — Kommersant, July 22 — Moscow Times, July 22.

For more information, see:  Related Newsline story, Mar. 2 –  Related Newsline story, Feb. 23 –  Related Newsline story, Feb. 9 –  Related Newsline story, Feb. 9.

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One Response »

1. Ethics Newsline® » News » Academic Integrity Scrutinized in Press Reports on August 24th, 2009 at 4:27 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, Aug. 10 — Related Newsline story, July 27 — Related Newsline story, Mar. 9 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 16 [...]

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