Sir, – Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan has said parents have the right to exclude their children from religious education.
However, if this is about religious education, as opposed to indoctrination (which is what parents may fear and thus wish to exclude their children from), it is a subject of paramount importance, more than ever before in today’s global multi-cultural society.
More education in religion, of all kinds, is what is needed for a peaceful, respectful, harmonious society, not opt-outs.
Studies have shown that where children are educated in religion, there is more peace, harmony, and respect in society.
Atheism itself is a belief system contrary to the popular notion that it is somehow exempt from philosophical scrutiny. Children need to be educated in all forms of religious belief systems, philosophy and ethics, allowing them to explore the why questions in life, which are just as important, if not more so, than the how questions posed by science and maths.
What this country needs is a reformed religious education system, not an optional one.
– Yours, etc,
REBEKAH REVILLE JOY
Rochestown,
Co Cork.
Sir, – Limerick parent Paul Drury may be satisfied that his daughter now does not have to "study" religion but I, for one taxpayer, am appalled at this application of the law. ("Limerick school allows student opt out of religious education class", November 23rd)
Why should Miss Drury have to sit through a class of religious education if she is from a non-religious family?
I am sorry that the family felt compelled to compromise. What constitutes “constitutional”? – Yours, etc,
PATRICIA B DALY
Dublin 6