Quebec students must take ethics-religion course

People are overreacting. I took the religion class last year (I was in grade 11, or sec 5 here in Quebec; also had it in grade 9). It's NOT about indoctrinating children in any way; it's about presenting the world's major religions in a historical and realistic way. The course simply tells you what people believe in; how many people believe in it; what kind of rituals do they perform; the way it is organized; etc. No favoritism given to any single religion, as they were all seen as equal. In fact, this is a good way to make children realize that their religion is nothing special; and that they're simply a matter of being born in x location.

Ironically, the classes helped me become an atheist (I was raised Catholic) after realizing that Christianity is merely a mumba jumba among the thousands of mumba jumbas that have ever existed. Besides, even if you're a non-believer, it's still very important to know other people's absurd beliefs. (They actually had a survey in America that found that Atheists knew more about religion than members of religious groups)

furthermore..they should teach athiesm as well..another belief system which is a reality in our world..NOtice that many of the worlds problems stem from religions.

I always thought social science in schools (especially History courses) took care of understanding regions. Why all this extra fuss ???

I'm jewish and I sent my kids to catholic school. I wont burn in hell because we don't have hell. They might as well understand how the other half lives.. UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER!
The french could learn a lot from that.

Organized religion has been the cause of countless horrors throughout history. Teach ethics, morals, spirituality but leave organized religion out of it!

do they also teach the agnostic or atheist beliefs?

My son went through the French School board system CSMV and he has never had religion.We were given the choice of religious or moral education and chose moral.Within this subject he never ONCE had any form of religion in school. He graduates from French secondary this year.Something doesn't quite make sense to me reading this article.

When I was in school we were "forced" to take an Moral and Religious Education class. There were no exemptions then and there are none now. Religion was only talked about in a general way, most of the materiel was theoretical rather than specific.
Now, I'm not a proponent of religion, but sticking our fingers in our childrens ears will definitely do more harm than good in the long run. These parents should be happy that they were even listened to by the government before they were told they were wrong.
Parents like this are a big part of what's wrong with society, saying things like "My child doesn't need to know anything other than what I approve of." They should get over themselves and let their child learn. They have no idea what children go through when they are labeled by their pears as even slightly different, they're only making it worse by raising a stink.

If there are any Ontario residents reading, your tax dollars fund this mandatory indoctrination by paying for the Catholic School system. Interestingly, the Catholic high school religion courses aren't mandatory, but good luck getting the Catholic Board to admit it. They will argue the advantage of the courses in Ontario but in Quebec the Catholics fight to be exempt! How many reasons do we need to stop this in Ontario? Costs, fairness, hypocracy? What?

As long as it’s not indoctrinating, I don’t see the problem. Even back when I was a kid, there were people from various cultures. This is basically your regular “morality” (cours de morale? not sure what’s the exact English expression) course, the one that was taught before, with an added focus on what people of different culture believe in; something that was taught 20 years ago, when I was in school. Except now it’s not just a footnote.

I think it’s a good way to teach acceptance of other cultures, and that it ultimately promotes more freedom to think, as you have multiple viewpoint, not just one.

The same group contesting the religious program, should also be given a questionnaire to fill out regarding the teaching of the concept of evolution. Just so we can all know who we're really dealing with.

We should have 1 school system.If you want religion taught,teach them all If you want a certain religion tayght do it on week eands.Look how much money would be freed up to pay for our children to go all the way through school. if religious orders want to get involved in Govt they should now have to pay taxes.

What are the parents so afraid of? What, their faith is so tenuous that even hearing about another religion will shatter it? Force kids into ignorance?

Same here, these subject should now be part of History lessons & increase science education to increase societies knowledge and put an end to religious wars.

religon should not be taught in schools -- just the historical part of it -- leave religon to the parents -- not the schools !

What an EXCELLENT concept. I grew up with virtually no religious teachings except a couple of weeks at sunday school before the preacher asked for part of my dads income. I don't need religion but I would probably feel more comfortable around others that seem to need it if I knew more about their beliefs.

I would think that money could be better spent teaching them to read write and do simple mathematics. Most kids today cant do simple arithmetic without a calculator.

religion is not a sciencee.one should have the freedom of belief

Keep all religious teachings in the home where it belongs. I send my kid to school so she can be educated not indoctrinated.

I don't see why ancient fairy tales have any relevance in school! There are way too many people who believe in these ridiculous myths!! I don't see any use for morals courses either unless it is to debunk religonuts dogma!