Piratis wrote:potassium wrote:Speaking as a student, this has been bothering me a lot these past years since I decided to become an atheist.
To begin with, Cyprus claims to be a "multi-cultural" country but the religion class is mandatory. Usually in other European countries, like Sweden, you can choose which religion to study or if you don't believe in any you can pick the philosophy class (not sure).
This situation reminds me of a 3rd world dictatorship religious country which tries to shove down religion into kids throats so they can believe what the system wants them to believe. As far as I know, Cyprus is a 1st world country and a so called "democracy". This is not acceptable, if we want the other EU countries to consider us as an EU country we should act like one.
Schools were supposed to teach kids how to think, not what to think.
Does anyone know if there are any future plans about this issue?
Cyprus is a 1st World Country, but it hasn't been for long. Cyprus was a poor colony until just 52 years ago, and until then the Church provided the leadership and the education, especially during the Ottoman rule. So you really can't expect Cyprus to be like Sweden.
Cyprus is definitely nothing like a "3rd world dictatorship religious country". There are several other EU countries which are at least as bad as Cyprus when it comes to religion, like Poland and Malta, and while other countries might be a bit more progressive in this respect they are less so in other things, like for example still having Kings, Queens and Lords, which is equally ridiculous for the 21st century.
If you can, do what I did and go against the system. I challenged their nonsense during the religion class, and I refused to do any religious related activities. They gave me low grades in the religion courses but they didn't dare to give me below the base as I made it clear to them that I would create problems to them and to the system if they dared to do so. It should be much easier for you to do the same today that Cyprus is in EU.
The Swedish educational system on how they work on religious classes doesn't really cost, it's just the way they work within the schools, it doesn't need any money effort to apply that simple system to our educational system.
Punishing you for denying to follow their religious activities is against EU human rights.
Well, logically it should be easier, but we haven't yet realized and we don't yet act as an EU country.
Article 9
1. 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, and to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
