The thread about creatonism banned in US schools made me realise that Belgian schools are among the most conservative and backward schools in the developed world in matters of freedom of religion.
In my (public) primary school, there were compulsory religion classes, which taught creationism. We had tests, and if we didn't write that the world was made by god in 7 days, and Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, we would fail the year.
During all my primary and secondary education, we had such compulsory classes of Catholic Christianity, with no other choice of moral or philosophical education. Well, at least we had classes of philosophy as part of the French class in the last year of secondary school (only, and still in addition to Catholic propaganda classes). That was a semi-private (i.e. state-funded, but independent) Catholic school but my primary school was not. It was 100% state-controlled.
I inquired to see if anything had changed, and it hasn't ! At least, there are talks of replacing religion classes by philosophy classes. But then, it isn't sure that this will happen, as my mother told me she was asked to sign a petition to keep compulsory religion classes in schools (which she of course refused).
I can't believe that in one of the most secular country in the world, where people are generally not very religious (apart from some elderly people and a specific minority), all schools still have religion classes. That's all the more shocking that the very religious USA banned such teachings in schools.
Compulsory religion classes of one particular religion, without neutral alternatives are a clear violation of the UN Charter of Human Rights (=> freedom of religion), as well as of the Belgian Constitution.
In my (public) primary school, there were compulsory religion classes, which taught creationism. We had tests, and if we didn't write that the world was made by god in 7 days, and Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, we would fail the year.
During all my primary and secondary education, we had such compulsory classes of Catholic Christianity, with no other choice of moral or philosophical education. Well, at least we had classes of philosophy as part of the French class in the last year of secondary school (only, and still in addition to Catholic propaganda classes). That was a semi-private (i.e. state-funded, but independent) Catholic school but my primary school was not. It was 100% state-controlled.
I inquired to see if anything had changed, and it hasn't ! At least, there are talks of replacing religion classes by philosophy classes. But then, it isn't sure that this will happen, as my mother told me she was asked to sign a petition to keep compulsory religion classes in schools (which she of course refused).
I can't believe that in one of the most secular country in the world, where people are generally not very religious (apart from some elderly people and a specific minority), all schools still have religion classes. That's all the more shocking that the very religious USA banned such teachings in schools.
Compulsory religion classes of one particular religion, without neutral alternatives are a clear violation of the UN Charter of Human Rights (=> freedom of religion), as well as of the Belgian Constitution.
UN Charter of Human Rights said:Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Belgian Constitution said:Art. 20
No one can be obliged to contribute in any way whatsoever to the acts and ceremonies of a religion, nor to observe the days of rest.
...
Art. 24
§ 1. Education is free; any preventative measure is forbidden; the repression of offences is only governed by law or decree.
The community offers free choice to parents.
The community organizes neutral education. Neutrality implies notably the respect of the philosophical, ideological or religious conceptions of
parents and pupils.
The schools organized by the public authorities offer, until the end of
obligatory scholarity, the choice between the teaching of one of the
recognized religions and non-denominational moral teaching.
§ 2. If a community, in its capacity as an organizing authority, wishes to delegate competency to one or several autonomous bodies, it can only do so by decree adopted by a two-third majority vote.
§ 3. Everyone has the right to education with the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms. Access to education is free until the end of obligatory scholarity.
All pupils of school age have the right to moral or religious education at the community’s expense.