THE Rev Robert Penney (February 19) fails to understand the meaning of Religious Education as provided in non-denominational schools.
The aim of the RE teacher in a non-denominational school as set out in the National Guidelines is to educate, not to instruct or to impose their personal views. Pupils are required to learn about world faith, belief, and morals in order to encourage better integration for all in our plural society.
Thus, the best teachers of RE are those who have a good grounding in their subject matter and who are able to impart this in an interesting and enthusiastic fashion, rather than those who are merely practising a chosen faith.
Having taught RE in both RC and non-denominational schools I feel qualified to comment further. RC schoools instruct about Catholicism and attempt to educate about world faith. The use of non-specialist Catholic techers to impart this information can result in an evangelical approach to Christianity with little attention paid to world faith. In my experience, this repels many pupils.
In the context of the current debate it appears to me that non-denominational schools offer a more balanced and more palatable curriculum for RE, and one that is less likely to turn pupils away from faith for good.
Kate Bush,
29 Thornwood Place,Glasgow.
February 19.
THE Rev Robert Penny talks of ''so-called Protestant schools'' (February 19). No such animal exists in State education. In Scotland we have Roman Catholic schools and non-denominational schools.
A further error occurs when he speaks of ''Protestant religious education instruction''. In non-denominational schools we teach religious, moral, and philosophical education with the emphasis placed much on the last word, education. Religious instruction is very much part of the far and distant past.
The task of the RMPE teacher is to lay before the pupils the tools with which they can make an educated and constructive decision about the belief stance that they will make for their future lives, and they will be aware that all belief leads to an action. Such action in turn will determine the quality of life for that person and the society that they are part of.
To bring about the above we teach with emphasis on the Christian culture and beliefs of our own society, but also make pupils fully aware of the other religious stances prevalent around us. It is hoped that such informed education will lead to pupils who make a meaningful contribution to the whole of society and not act from ignorance, which always leads to judgmental attitudes.
Rev T R Taylor,
Principal Teacher, Religious,
Moral, and Philosophical Education,
8 Moray Place, Kirkintilloch.
February 19.
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