RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN EUROPE

Abstract

Within religious education in public schools, the conviction that there is no educational system that could afford to ignore the role of religion in European societies is growing. Ignorance in this area can lead to the creation of negative stereotypes in which extreme forms of hatred, conflict, and violence against the religious other occur. Knowledge of religion and the most important religious systems in Europe is an important part of quality education, which can promote mutual respect for believers of different religious backgrounds as well as promote understanding of social and cultural diversity. In addition to knowing the doctrines of one's own religious beliefs, high school students should also be introduced to the religious aberrations of other religious systems. All this will enable them to develop competences for religious dialogue and cooperation, through which they will practically implement the principles of religious tolerance and interculturalism. In this context, religious rights and freedoms should be seen within the framework of Toledo's guiding principles, which offer a neutral and democratic way of organizing religious education in Europe. Teaching about religions and beliefs must be organized in a way that is fair, accurate and based on knowledge. Students need to learn about religions and beliefs in a society that fosters respect for diversity, human rights and freedoms. It is believed that based on the experience of most countries in Europe, knowledge of religion can reinforce the importance of respecting everyone's right to freedom of religion or belief, fostering democratic civil law, promoting an understanding of social differences and at the same time strengthening of social cohesion. Teachers who teach religious education should respect religious freedoms and foster the rights of religious others in a spirit of mutual respect and tolerance in modern European societies.