Should they stop having religious class ( thrhskeutika) at schools?

i dont think that it is obligatory, it is something private the religion.

But even the lesson of it, doesnt harm anyone, if it doesnt create discreminations between natives and foreigners

Well, I'm not sure about whether they should exclude the particular subject, but a good idea would be if it was an optional one.

What I don't like is the fact that children can't often distinguish between facts and myth. Sometimes they are just so brainwashed...Free and critical thought is not promoted. I think they should just learn stuff about different religions, like we did in the second class of High School-the only time I really liked R.E.-or find connections between R.E. and history, mythology, geography and the effect religion has on the development of a country/area. But I guess that would be dangerous to some people...

Furthermore, I also hate the fact that when a student of a different religion decides not to attend classes, he/she just walks around in the school yard unaattended.

When I was at school (a private tough school long time ago), the religious class was obligatory and was no more and no less than a propaganda of Orthodox Christianity against anything else. The teacher would try to persuade us for the rightfulness of his thoughts...The teacher could often be a priest himself...

I decided to protest. I expressed my discomfort openly and through newspapers as well. The issue got publicity beyond my wildest expectations... I won my right to never attend this "lesson" again. Since then, I discovered that I was not a Muslim. Neither a Christian. Nor a Jew or an atheist... I was...nothing and still as a "nothing" could help others, could care for others and could listen to others. But not through "others". I did not have to be organized through "others".

That was my little revolution long time ago :). I am not sure how the situation is right now. As Vaggos suggests, I guess much better.

well, although my grandpa was a minister, I was never that religious...I always thought that 8riskeftika would be an intresting subject if the teachers weren't trying to convince us that christianity is the best religion ever...I am very interested in knowing about other religions and I think that would be useful, but that only happened in the last grade and in the end somehow christianity turned out to be the best...

I also hated that we had to learn all this stuf by heart, which is very difficult and useles...

finally, I think that it's a same that we only had only one hour per week for chemistry and a couple for RE...it's like showing that some subjects are inferior to others...

I don't think they should stop it but I definetly think they should change many things...

Yes, I think they should. In these classes kids are pushed and convinced to be believers instead of thinkers. In addition they learn about a tradition different to Greek, while at the same time there is SO much to learn about their own tradition!

I mean, let’s face it; Unfortunately Greek kids know more about Jesus than about Socrates!!! As for “a great chance to discuss many things, like life in general, family problems, and relationship between humans…” that [#1 fan] mentioned, I think them issues will be best to be discussed in a philosophical rather than a religious class...

It’s about time for Greece to actually do something with all that treasure that was given to her by those “monsters” of global intellectuality, the Greek philosophers; it’s just such a shame it hasn’t been done yet.

I think that the lesson should be substituted by an ethics cource!!!

Not all students are religious or even Orthodox Christian!!

If you say "Ok dont come to class" you EXLUDE them and you differentiate them from the rest of the class!

Classmates are a group of people that should follow the same program and feel as equals!!

they are a flok (ποίμνιον) of education and not of religion!!!

No, I don't think so. Don't take me wrong, I believe in the laicity of education, but the same way we learn history and philosophy we must learn the history, meaning and aspects of religion as encyclopeadic knowledge. Of all religions. What must change is the way this course is taught: it is not there to teach morals or to do catechism. But we must have elementary knowledge of the subject as of any other subject.

I don't think it should be stopped but I do think that they should be taught as we were (years ago) in UK ... that there are other religions - there are other beliefs - there are people that believe in evolution and there are others that question the 'truth of the bible'

I taught English for many years - students (and adults) would ask me what religion I am ... Anglican (Protestant) Oh, so you're not Orthodox or Catholic? No. So you're not a Christian then??? I gave up explaining that Christianity is not just Orthodox or Catholic ... just said No and let them make up their own minds ... probably labeled me as Muslim.

I would like to see other religions taught and not taught in the 'it's my way - or nothing' attitude. Personally I detest many 'traditions' that surround the Orthodox church and the priests 'Holier than thou' attitude, but I would never pass these comments onto my kids - I do, however tell then that although they are Orthodox they must understand not everyone around the world belives what you do - that doesn't make them wrong ... they believe that their way is the right way just as you do.

My friend has 8 kids and removes her kids from religious studies as they are Evangelists (Husband's Greek/American) I would never make my children feel different - I baptised them for my husband and his family. What they decide to do in the future is up to them.

Just read Frank B's answer - I'm like him .... although I was Christened - I was brought up to be very inquisitive and arugmentative - I need answers - I ask questions - therefore I've sat and listened to many peoples sides of religions and non-religion ... thus giving me a better understanding of people's beliefs - I am not swayed by one religion as my kids have had Orthodox rammed down their throats - but able to explain as a bystander!

I have read the Bible - only because my Evangalist friend kept saving I was going to hell (she prays for me daily)and I wanted to argue/discuss with her about her 'beliefs' and not have a one sided discussion.

I agree with Leonarda & [#1 fan], and i think that if a student has a different religion he won't participate in the religious lesson or to the prayer in school. He has no obligation to do it.

Toulaxiston afto thymamai ap ta mathitika mou xronia pou einai sxetika prosfata ! :)

Hello dear!

Well, even the name of this course is wrong! Theskeuteka, while it only brainwashes for Christianity and the Jews.

Thus, it is non ethical course!

Further, it teaches that our ancestors were inferior to some others, while in many places their "holy" books say that the worse of all are we!

In addition, it is against the constitution!

My answer: Yes! Throw it out!

no, i don't think so...

thriskeutika is a great chance to discuss many things, like life in general, family problems, relationship between humans & God, or between humans & humans, and its

a chance that is not given by other school subjects..

Besides anyone can take apallagi if he feels offended by this subject