Students may be exposed to other religious faiths

AnnMarie Pawley

Sep 27th 2009, 10:38

@TG Curmi

That's really a lot of exposure - a whole 4 pages on other religions in 10 scholastic years.

Ian Abela

Sep 27th 2009, 02:49

@ I Galea
Imagine, for one second, that your parents didn't shove Catholic fanaticism down your throat...what would your views about other religions be then? The only reason you are so defensive of your faith is because you were indoctrinated and never paused to reason anything out for yourself. This assumption of mine clearly holds water since you said you are against learning about other religions- therefore you are wholly ignorant of what (roughly) 4 billion other human beings find sacred. Thus you are not an informed, rational Catholic who has chosen the faith above others because it appeals to you most, but simply because you are incapable of reason and seem to accept all that you have been told. If you were born to Muslim parents, you would be just as fanatic the other way round.

Your quote is as relevant to other religions as it is to Catholicism, a religion we savegely drill into our children's brains, stifling tolerance and open-mindedness from the start.

Your vision of some Ultra Aryan Catholic Army is despicable.

Christian Sciberras

Sep 26th 2009, 22:03

@Paul Micallef- What has your house got to do with where you work?

What you said, is, in effect breach of workplace policy, which everyone seems quick to ignore.
You find it hard to get that down, other people find it hard to get down the fact that they were contracted to work for 8 hours. On a disciplinary hearing, both stand on the same ground.

@lgalea- Well, as long as it's on your property, do what the heck you want.

@W Spencer- Muslim countries have a state religion, unlike Malta. The state there is bound to provide religious support/teachings for Muslims only.

@david camilleri- Hello? Remember? Malta is a democracy! Unless we change back to a Catholic tyranny with a state religion, people can't live like a bunch of bunnies all bound together by the same ideas/values.

@W Spencer- What the heck of an attitude is that?! Just because I find about other religions, I'm not Catholic anymore?

Perhaps if only a few of you all knew what you're talking about, some of your comments might actually make sense. Really.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

W Spencer

Sep 26th 2009, 10:44

@ Jeremy Brown & David Camilerri

I suspect that some of us have lived in Muslim Countries, and have had first hand knowledge of the teachings of Islam, and the dogma and fear that it installs in people.

Christianity is disappearing .

Whereas Islam is the fastest growing religion / faith in the World. When it eventually covers YOUR Country, it will be a great pity that non-Muslim appeasers of this religion / faith, will not be around to suffer under Sharia Law.

gaffarena joseph

Sep 25th 2009, 12:51

On this subject what I, suggest is this. Our church maltese leaders will show more maturity towards their faithful , especially with the younger generation.They have to take that conservative attitude ,and pave the way for a better understanding , because if they will teach our catholic faith in a better way, Im more than sure that the younger generation will benefit more,and understand the word of our lord

david camilleri

Sep 24th 2009, 23:46

"Students need to be strengthened in their identity, which is prevalently Catholic and, at the same time, equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes that foster respect and dialogue. "Students should be gradually open to other faith traditions, to the new religious movements and to the secularist and atheistic philosophies that form part of the present-day worldview," Dr Gellel said. keys words are: respect, dialogue, present-day. stop living in the middle ages Catholics! scholasticism is finished...its time to open your eyes and realize that you cant convert people through dogma and fear. its time for people to start thinking for themselves! fundamentilsm hates multi-cultural societies so it tries to eliminate them. the church needs to stay out of the business of the government. let people choose how they want to live! its their life after all!

Jeremy Brown

Sep 24th 2009, 16:57

@all I dont know why before reading the whole article you jump on islam teachings and so on. is there only islam as another religion? check and make research and i assure you there is more than islam as a religion. i dont know when we will learn.....

W Spencer

Sep 23rd 2009, 20:56

I wonder if students in Muslim Countries will be exposed to other religions / faiths

victor pulis

Sep 10th 2009, 12:08

Coming from the pope this is rather strange as the pope well knows that Christianity has been diluted with other religions since its inseption. Almost all the important dates and feasts celebrated by Christians have been adopted from pagan cults. Christmas and Easter are just two. The pope's very title Pontifex maximus is derived from the Roman emperors' title as High priest. The architecture of churches until a few years ago was modelled on ancient Roman temples as are many rites like the blessing of water and of fire. The list goes on

A. Muscat

Sep 9th 2009, 19:52

@ victor pulis

The fear and uncertainty is actually coming from the very top. On 29 November 2006 in reference to the Pope first visit to Turkey it was reported in the Times of Malta that:
Pope Benedict says Christians cannot allow their beliefs and identity to be diluted for the sake of dialogue with other religions.

A. Muscat

Sep 9th 2009, 17:46

@ J Farrugia


The Papal roots of the exclusion of others Dogma.

Specifically, in the fifteenth century, two Papal Bulls set the stage for European domination of the New World and Africa. Romanus Pontifex, issued by Pope Nicholas V to King Alfonso V of Portugal in 1452, declared war against all non-Christians throughout the world, and specifically sanctioned and promoted the conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non-Christian nations and their territories. Inter Caetera, issued by Pope Alexander VI in 1493 to the King and Queen of Spain following the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the island he called Hispaniola, officially established Christian dominion over the New World. It called for the subjugation of the native inhabitants and their territories, and divided all newly discovered or yet-to-be
discovered lands into two - giving Spain rights of conquest and dominion over one side of the globe and Portugal over the other

Before they were called Crusaders and today we call them terrorists or Jihadists.

victor pulis

Sep 9th 2009, 14:38

Why all the panic? If, as some are saying Malta is a staunch Catholic country what is all the fear about? The Catholic Maltese should be strong enough to debate with other faiths. Or is this similar to the yellow labels stuck to doors telling members of a certain sect not to ring the bell? That is an admission that the house occupants are not versed enough in their
religion to offer much resistance in the form of arguments. I practice no formal religion though I hold my values high but I always invite them in and I am proud to say that I have never lostan argument to them.

C.ZARB

Sep 9th 2009, 12:02

Mr Cassar you misunderstood me, we are talking at local level here. My question was whether ALL children in Malta (catholic and non catholic) are going to be exposed to beauty of other religions as well. Lets face it, the more prone of doing honour killings, throwing acid on girl's faces and letting a bomb on a bus are definitely not Christians fresh from the Museum am I right?

philip pace

Sep 9th 2009, 08:24

If one opens his mind and reads about other religions he is one step closer to enlightment.
If one is fully convinced that the religion that he 'practises' is the best religion of them all is still stuck in the past as this leads to many serious problems such, hating the people who have got a different religion than his and from this hate racism rears it's ugly head. He would not have that important understanding on each different religions, if he doesn't respect other people's religions, culture etc.
If one reads about wars one can safely come to the conclusion that nearly 90% of these wars were based on religion.
The Maltese say that they are Roman Catholic but put your hand on your heart do they really practise the Roman Catholic religion?
I think that a good proportion of the Maltese use the Roman Catholic as a commodity nothing more and nothing less!

C.ZARB

Sep 9th 2009, 07:43

@ Mr A Cassar

With all due respect but you misunderstood me. Im talking at a local level and not at a global level. If teaching must be done about understanding and respecting other religions then every student (whether he is Christian or not) in Malta should be exposed to it.

It would be ridiculous to exclude the minorities in this program when facts show that they are the ones that mostly need it. Lets face it, the one doing honour killings, mutilating female sexual organs, throwing acid on women faces and putting bombs on buses are not the children of the Museum, quite contrary.

Paul Savona

Sep 9th 2009, 07:42

We should be confident enugh in our beliefs and religious doctrine that we would be happy to teach our children the beauty and highlights of other faiths.

We have a strong religion that is re-enforced at every step of our lives.

Don't be afraid of opening our childrens eyes to the good in other peoples lives and their faiths.

Ramon Casha

Sep 9th 2009, 05:29

@lgalea: "trying to influence the children when they are easily influenced is UNACCEPTABLE."

I couldn't agree more. Of course that includes ALL religions.

On the other hand, comparative religions - in which students are not taught to become members of a faith, but merely given an overview of what each belief entails - is a useful academic subject.

Raymond Cachia

Sep 9th 2009, 05:01

@Charlie Xrieha.

I whollly agree with you. Humanity's primordial religion was pagan, namely worhip of the Mother Goddess. There is quite a bit of evidence that during this time, there was very little warfare and the Maltese temples are remnants of this Pan European religion. We should all revert back to the source and do away with the violent vengeful god of the patriarchal religions such as that of Christianity and Islam.

Respect for Mother Nature and and the Sacred Feminine and maybe this world will have a chance of survival. As it is, with the hyper-masculinity of society (wars, greed, violence, unchecked corporatism and a disregard of nature and other animal species) will doom us all. And it is coming sooner than we think. In fact, some scientists think we have already reached the tipping point and the point of no return.

TG CURMI

Sep 9th 2009, 01:32

I fail to understand what the whole fuss is about, because exposure to other religions IS ALREADY PART OF THE CURRENT SYLLABUS, which has been taught for a number of years. In the Form 4 religious education text-book (Il-Progett ta' Alla ghall-zvilupp Shih) there are sections on: the profound questions of life which every religion seeks to answer; primitive religions; Hinduism; Buddhism; Islam; and the importance of a deep respect for every religion (with a reference Vatican II's Nostra Aetate). And the text-book encourages students to look up more information and prepare a project about one of the religions.

@ Victoria Bugeja
"I must also add that i've been to state schools, to private schools and to nuns' schools...(and i am talking of 10 years ago) and never ever i had heard during our lessons of other religions."
The sections I am referring to are in the very first chapter of Il-Progett ta' Alla ghall-zvilupp Shih, pages 10-14.

Kevin Camilleri

Sep 9th 2009, 00:35

Personally, I don't think that GIVING KNOWLEDGE of other religions would harm our society and our children. However, OUR religion should me promoted, taught and explained to children. We are living in a world where children are taught religion, however they don't understand it and do not practice it. Very few know about the true love of God, and even less have been able to feel His love and His presence in their life. And this is the REAL problem nowadays amongst debates of abortion, divorce and other religions.

For sure, no cross has to come down from our classrooms, from our streets and from other public places because of foreigners. Everybody has the freedom to leave if he doesn't like something. No Maltese is hurt or offended with a hanging cross even if he does not beleive in God.

However, let us invest our energy in teaching children the beauty of God's Love & His Forgiveness. And finally, Let us teach our children VALUES - which unfortunately are getting lost. May God help us.

Joe Fenech

Sep 8th 2009, 23:14

About time!!!!!!!!

A. Muscat

Sep 8th 2009, 22:46

@ T.gauci
History says that: Jews lived among Muslims and Christians. Jews were Holocausted by Hitler. Hitler wasn’t an Arab, Muslim and defiantly wasn’t PALESTINA.

The no hostile Arabs, Muslim and Jew relation is the longest yet least discussed after 1948. (Why?)

The Jew–Muslim relation went sour only as a result of the Israel (more specifically the Zionists occupation to Palestinian lands in 1948. As a result time passes and the victims of the victims of the holocaust are being occupied, beleaguered, apartheid, terrorized and systemically annihilated for six decades with big powers endorsement so far.

J Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 22:32

@ Franco Farrugia - how can you compare a catholic priest with a muslim preacher preaching hatred and murder? Can you compare like with like, unless your morals went berserk? In Sri Lanka, they have passed a law, wherein even catholics have to learn the state religion. Do you want us to be like that? If in the affirmative please use your good offices (if you have any) to appeal to all muslim states to allow roman catholic churches the liberty of cult. ANd by the way have you heard about that woman in an arabic country, who was found guilty for wearing a trousers, yes a trousers in her country, and for which she was condemned to 40 lashes in public? Or that girl of 8 years old who was married to an aged muslim monster and had to fight it our alone to separate from him because her family said so? Is this what you want for our country? Jew fejn jaqbillek tqabbel?

Ernest Vella

Sep 8th 2009, 22:13

Mr. Gellel....with all the respect to all your ideas....already basic principles of other religions are taught during religion lessons....maybe Mr.Gellel must understand that he is undermining what others worked hard to achieve and will make Malta so much open that one day someone will dream to tell us to take the cross out of our classes and schools as happened in France...

I am proud of my Catholic faith and my faith will not come to risk learning about other's faith but how can you teach my children some religions who do not respect your same idea as are with all the respect muslims - true muslims I mean...they want respect and tolerance but the truth is that if you go in their countries they will not respect your faith...and that's no way....to live with each other both sides must guarantee freedom...maybe we are to free

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 21:43

I think the various religions should be taught not only to young people but also to their elders. Indeed, it is high time that the Maltese people start opening up to other faiths, and other life-experiences.
But it is sad to read a comment from a priest, a monk, who should know the Bible much better than other layman here and should know that the eye-for-an-eye syndrome of the OT is long gone. His should be words of encouragement, of enlightenment, ... and instead? What do we have? Well, read Fr Testa's words below - they are certainly a mind-opener and are forward-looking. Shameful. No wonder the Church in Maltahas been so uneffective all these past decades. No wonder we have poor homilies in the churches and people don't go to Church because they really want to but in order to 'fulfill' some sort of traditional obligation. Go drive past the doors of the churches in Malta and see for yourself the kind of people filling up the pews: people looking out onto the street; people chatting to each other; people reading the newspaper - I even saw people eating pastizzi while 'hearing Mass' at a church in Sliema.

A. Muscat

Sep 8th 2009, 20:42

It took the Catholic Church centuries to come down to earth and face reality.
If Catholism is a hard nut to crack I see no problem at all to let our school children exposed to other Faiths. Having said that I am also in favor not to IMPOSE any Catholicism on new born babies and let them choose whatever faith they find truthful.
Ironically, all Muslim students in Muslim countries and outside Muslim countries know it all about other faiths including the Catholic faith.

Mario Zammit

Sep 8th 2009, 18:55

As if there's not enough confusion and indifference prevailing among youths and adults on our Catholic beliefs. The local church should make a stock take of the ever increasing secularisation and relativism of baptised persons.
If you take a closer look at the local situation regarding christianity you'll discover strong currents of atheism and religious ignorance. Unfortunately, being an atheist is considered trendy nowadays. Far from embarking on this crazy initiative church officials should go out of their comfy offices and carry out evangalisation to the maltese masses as at the time of San Gorg Preca's 'Sajda Muzewmina'

This initiative is just mind boggling, especially coming from the local church authorities.

F Debono

Sep 8th 2009, 18:54

@d.borg

This IS the direct result of our children meeting people of other religions (including muslim immigrants). It is after all a globalised world. When they grow up they will meet muslims, hindus and buddhists....so they must be prepared.

The Maltese church is NOT interested in teaching religion to Muslim illegal immigrant kids, because as one can imagine it would be highly offensive and inappropriate. It is the job of the local Muslim community to teach their kids about Islam. The Maltese curia's job is to teach catholic children, and it is only logical to compare our faith to others. Well done!! If the Muslim community doesn't teach their children about other religions it is only condemning their children to ignorance!!

P Debono

Sep 8th 2009, 18:49

I wonder whether this rule of teaching about other religions would apply to the Islamic schools! I think not!!!!!!

A Cassar

Sep 8th 2009, 18:45

@C.ZARB,
"I wonder whether these lessons will be given to all students whether they are in state schools, private schools, church schools AND Islamic schools."

@Therese Vella Farrugia
"Do Hindu children learn about catholic religion in their schools? "

I'm afraid you are not understanding the beauty of it all......that is the whole point....they don't do it while we do. That is why we are BETTER than them!!! We are convinced of our religion, we want our children to know about other religions, so they can be convinced catholics while appreciating other people. I don't want Malta to be a backward country...just to emulate India, Iran and Saudi Arabia!!!

All this the CHURCH is proposing...not the state!! The change from "THIS IS YOUR BELIEF" to " THIS IS WHAT WE BELIEVE IN, AND THIS IS WHAT OTHER PEOPLE BELIEVE IN" is surely an improvement. It actually makes you a BETTER CATHOLIC.

Remember that all this teaching is done from the Catholic church's perspective and aimed at catholic children. Therefore it will show the church's view on other religions. I already talk to my kids about other religions...to strengthen their faith, not the opposite!!

Maria Mizzi

Sep 8th 2009, 18:24

How weak is your faith that you're afraid to learn about other religions?

victoria bugeja

Sep 8th 2009, 18:21

I must also add that i 've been to state schools, to private schools and to nun's schools.... (and i am talking of 10 years ago) and never ever i had heard during our lessons about other religions... for example my year 4 and 5 what i did during religion lecture was trace the picture of (txt bk used) lejn il missier...Thats quite a ridiculous thing to do ....

It's a pity all religions are there to send a love message and to comfort us, so u stupid guys stop being selfish and stop picking on other religions.... U'll have to face, it there are other people on earth who have a different belief, and u have to respect it..

victoria bugeja

Sep 8th 2009, 18:06

I totally agree about giving a view to kids about other religions.... i am not talking about teaching students other religions but everyone should be exposed to what else makes up the world... I was brought up in a really catholic family, but since like 10 years ago i excommunicated myself from this religion. I didn't feel anymore comfortable with this religion and if i decide to believe in another religion it is my choice and not anybody else's choice. I really think that religion is private and not public.

In my case the first time i knew about Islam or Jewish religion or others it was when i was aged 15 we talked about jewish and about islam religion once and never else i heard about them again except if it was not me who searched info about them. I feel most maltese catholic are big hypocrits, they say they are catholic but then they don't act how they should. If maltese acted the right way, they would accept that apart from christianity there r other religions too....

If maltese were real christians and really believed in christianity they wouldn't feel this much treathened about other religions in malta....

d. borg

Sep 8th 2009, 17:30

Is this suggestion maybe a direct result of the many Muslim children belonging to the illegal immigrants attending state schools? I think parents should be consulted before any decision is taken.

C.ZARB

Sep 8th 2009, 17:06

I wonder whether these lessons will be given to all students whether they are in state schools, private schools, church schools AND Islamic schools.

Robert Callus

Sep 8th 2009, 16:58

Ronnie Gauci

''if we stop teaching our religion, which is the religion of peace and tolerance''

So tolerant that you keep calling it OUR RELIGION as if Maltese non-Catholics like me aren't really Maltese since it is not MY RELIGION. So to impede CIVIL divorce and discriminates against homosexuals and non married couples.
What's the excuse? That Islam is worse? Maybe, however that is no excuse for the Catholic church to keep 'ruling' us because if it is not so, Islam will take over.
I am free to worship, or not worship any diety. And I'm not willing to worship, or have my children made to worship a god because it is a lesser evil.

Liane Gatt

Sep 8th 2009, 16:55

jiddispjacini al injoranza u bluha ta nies li hargu bdin lidea !!! nispicaw naqsmu malta ukoll u kullhad joqotol il kullhad fuq religjon li jista jkun ma jezistix!! kullhad jaf x'hemm adejj fil palestina!! ahjar nejxu fil paci u nibqaw nemnu li em alla wihed li twildna fih ....mux issa ha nibdew nazlui f min nemnu!!! mela dan xi suggett ta liskola!!!???

Therese Vella Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 16:53

Does Adrian Gellel know what he's doing? He is putting our children, and even his, into the lion's den. May I ask a question? Do Hindu children learn about catholic religion in their schools? We better put into practice what we are learning about our catholic religion. It is not the arguement that we are democratic and we let our children learn everything. So if we are democratic why don't we eat everything that comes in our way and when we grow up we eat what suites us best? If we continue in this way we are going to have many people who apostate. The church should think about !

Katie Micallef

Sep 8th 2009, 16:46

@Paul Micallef - You might also be interested to know that Malta has more than one inhabitant; this is my country too and I am an atheist and luckily there is some sort of a democracy here, which means you do not get to make the rules - stop being so intolerant. Had you read the article properly you would have noticed that no one is suggesting the cross be removed.

And for all those suggesting that the foreigners who don't like it can go home - has it even crossed your mind that there are also Maltese people who are not Roman Catholic?

Michael Schembri

Sep 8th 2009, 16:44

I am atheist, and i have little respect for most religions and their followers including catholics, however i would find it easier to respect a religious follower who made an informed decision about a particular faith , rather than being indoctrinated at an early age without being given a decent world view

I mean, let's face it.. you are not catholics by choice... you happened to be born in a dominantly catholic society.. you have been taught to blindly follow the faith.. how can you say that the catholic or christian religion is the "right" religion? that your god or practices are the right ones?

I wish I had been given the opportunity to learn about other religions at an early age...

The church seems to have this headcount it needs to fulfill.. it almost seems neurotic..the aggression towards maintaining this status quo...to be honest i can't figure it out.. how about working on quality rather than quantity?

Anthony Roberts

Sep 8th 2009, 16:40

I am amazed at the comments that have been written here. Our country belongs to everyone. We have Jehovah Witnesses knocking on our doors. We have a churches for the Church of England, Church of Scotland and others and I really cannot see what all the fuss is about. In England we are brought up as Roman Catholics and never did we feel threatened by other religions. In fact knowing more about others made us Catholics defend our own faith more strongly. If anyone feels threatened by other religions, then may be that shows a sign of weekness in their own faith. Knowledge never hurt anyone. I have always believed in being well informed rather than being ignorant. Marie Roberts

edward camilleri

Sep 8th 2009, 16:06

The tolerance to other religions on this island is not because we are catholics, its because we are a democtratic country! When the church used to govern, it brought the inquisition, and the same happens if it is given any more leway.

T.gauci

Sep 8th 2009, 16:00

There will be a conflict of faiths now that there are Muslim children of immigrants going to public schools. the state can't co-teach two different religions because they contradict each other. Christian democrats are now feeling threatened as shown in comments. You're the one who embraced multi culture now deal with it. you play with fire you get burned

Ruby Jenner

Sep 8th 2009, 15:55

A Cassar I totally agree with your comment but also isn't the whole thing getting out of hand. The article says "exposed" to other religious faiths, not converting them to being muslims, just opening childrens minds. Some of the outraged people here should perhaps practice what they so staunchly defend.

K. Mifsud

Sep 8th 2009, 15:50

We always quote the wrong article in the Constitution when it comes to religion. How about this one?:

"40. (1) All persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship.

(2) No person shall be required to receive instruction in religion or to show knowledge or proficiency in religion if, in the case of a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years,
objection to such requirement is made by the person who according to law has authority over him and, in any other case, if the person so required objects thereto. ... "

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 8th 2009, 15:32

@LauraWilson
Being unbaptized in the eyes of the Catholic Church is actually an absolute impediment to receiving Holy Communion. I find it hard to believe that any Quaker student was “marched” to receive Holy Communion. Being told: “to be quiet and behave” is not the same as “grabbed him by the arm and pushed him to the priest and forced him to take communion.”
I hope that the State i.e. the local taxpayers will be able to afford a carer to look after the needs of a non-Catholic student. This should be given its due priority taking into consideration the needs of all the other students in our state schools. It is reasonable to suppose that the Quaker youth was advised not to enter into any discussion about his religion so as to avoid arguments and any accusation that he was being harassed. Nothing sinister in that!

M Grima

Sep 8th 2009, 15:21

This is just another underhanded way of keeping the Catholic religion taught in our schools. A way of bypassing the European laws. The only way is not to teach any religion in our schools. Let those who wish their children to be taught religion organise lessons privately. This is dishonest. A secular State is what we are after.

P Mifsud

Sep 8th 2009, 14:59

@ all the undoubtedly well-meaning Roman Catholics arguing against our students being exposed to other religions:

Kindly read Nostra Aetate, the declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions promulgated on 28th October 1965 (well over 40 years ago). Either google nostra aetate or follow the link below:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html

Another very important document is Unitatis Redintegratio, the Decree on Ecumenism, promulgated on 21st November 1964.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html

I believe that at least these two Second Vatican Council documents should be required reading for anybody hoping to pass some kind of educated comment on the subject.

@ J Farrugia: Your comment re Dr Gellel shows abundantly clearly that you have no idea at all what and who you are talking about. Your intolerance is scary.

Personally, I would rather have a convinced Catholic who has chosen to remain (or become) Catholic, than a traditional one, born and bred with scant, if any, knowledge of what the Catholic faith entails. (Note I said 'faith', not 'religion'. There is a difference.)

lgalea

Sep 8th 2009, 14:56

Franco Farrugia
That's what they tried to do and also happened in other countries Franco.

Paul Micallef
Agree with you. This is the madness of political correctness. If they try to do it I shall also defy them by making a statue on the front of my house. If the foreigners don't like it they can leave. No one sent for them.

John Borg

Sep 8th 2009, 14:51

Leonard Testa: instead of getting all worked up because somebody wants to see our children learn about other religions in state schools, shouldn't you be worrying about the shrinking appeal of your faith to more and more Maltese? In any case, it's about time that this country moves forward with a complete separation between church and state. Religious instruction has no place in state schools.

T.gauci

Sep 8th 2009, 14:34

@P Agius

Brothers yeah....the Majority of Jews and Muslims hate each other.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 14:22

@ Paul Micallef - You say you work in a school .... I hope not as a teacher! Who said anyone is even contemplating of dreaming of trying to get the crucifixes away?

Laura Wilson

Sep 8th 2009, 14:12

"LauraWilson.
It would be sacrilegious for any Catholic to force any other person, even another Catholic of whatever age , let alone a Quaker, to be forced to receive Holy Communion against his will. Either the teacher was not aware of the true situation or the true facts are nor as described by you."

Its quite possible that the teacher wasn't aware of the situation as he was not one of the boys regular teachers...but he tried to explain as he was macrhed through the church and this man told him to be quiet and behave as he thought he was not taking part to be naughty. The point is that the student should not have been at Mass in the first place but beacuse it is a part of school life here in Malta he had no choice but to go as no teacher could be spared to supervise him in a classroom and they could not leave him on his own. Shouldn't there be some provision on state schools for non-Catholic children in situations like this? He has also been told by one teacher not to answer questions about his religion from other curious classmates!

Fr Leonard M.Testa OFMConv

Sep 8th 2009, 14:08

Fro Mr Rajed zen to be consistent with his ideals he wants to impose on us has he instructed his Hindu co-religionists to teach Catholicism in Hindu schools in Idia and where Hindus have school ?
No Hindus are persecuted in any Catholic country, which cannot be said of Catholics in India, in Orissa state etc.
Fr leonard M.Testa OFMconv.

Keith D. Azzopardi

Sep 8th 2009, 14:05

@ N. Calleja

Apparently you have no idea of what Hindu is..

Regards bringing various religions toagther, I'd suggest you read more about some of our most recent Popes, as well as persons such as Fr. Anthony de Mello (a Jesuit inspired by Thai Buddhism), Br. Roger (a Protestant, founder of Taize Community), and Bahá'u'lláh (founder of the Baha'i faith)...

Ecumenism is a reality, favoured by many religions...above all it is something healthy to humanity...

Joseph Schembri

Sep 8th 2009, 13:51

What refreshing news! To think that I wished for this when I was 11 years old and being 'educated' in a Church School. Luckily for me I had friends, even at that age, who were of different faiths. In my case they were Moslems and Secular Humanists apart from Christians of other denominations. I consider myself very lucky indeed that I had a good school friend who took me to the Paola mosque with him on a Friday afternoon (Ok it also had something to do with the fact that we used to get a Maths test at the Church school every Friday afternoon:-)) Perhaps people don't know that even at the time (eighties) the church school which I attended exempted all Moslem students from class every Friday afternoon and even organised transport to the Mosque.

It would be indeed great news if this policy is adopted by the church and more importantly by the state.

charlie xrieha

Sep 8th 2009, 13:49

I believe that children should not be indoctrinated in any faith.

I am what Catholics call a pagan. I follow European paganism, and my children will be brought up as pagans. They are my children. I decide what they learn when they are young.

I suggest that European pagan religions also be explained to children. If we are going to outline Islam and Hinduism....why not talk about the pre-Christian European religions?

Actually I believe that Europe should never have left the old ways:

The Christian God has not prevent fratricide in Europe. The Christians killed, burned and tortured....

There is no proof that what the Christians say is true. Paganism has family and social values identical to Christianity. We just don't love our enemies :-)

Many pagan societies were matriarchal and did not subjugate women the way the Church has. The sacred feminine; women and the miracle of life were worshiped across Europe.

Christianity flourished through political convenience , ruthless suppression of what existed before it, brainwashing and fear of Hell . Not through genuine conversion.

Hail the Aesir and the Vanir

Ronnie Gauci

Sep 8th 2009, 13:37

@ Adrian Aquilina and Robert Callus

In a perfect World one will surely agree with you but unluckily we are not, we live on a tiny rock at the doorstep of the Muslim World and if we are complacent like you are you could learn the hard way the consequences of your mentality. The Muslim population is increasing drastically across the whole of Europe as statistics lately have shown, if we stop teaching our religion, which is the religion of peace and tolerance, and if we remove the cross from our buildings we could easily get it replaced by the Koran by as soon as 2050, then we'll see if you'll be able to express yourself like you are doing now without the risk of facing serious consequences, when I say serious you know what I mean. Get realistic please, stop reading Peter and Jane and watch some news now and then!

P Agius

Sep 8th 2009, 13:29

@N Calleja...

Sorry to tell you but you don't have a clue what you're talking about...Hinduisim and Buddish are the most religous friendly of all religiions.....They accept you the way you are....As a Roman Catcholic I was allowed to sleep in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Tibet..Obviously they didn't do it to convert me but simply because they were nice to me...

@ all those who are against teaching about other religions....

What's wrong with that...It enhances your level of intelligence and understanding...As a Roman Catcholic I find it very interesting to understand how our jewish brothers and muslim
cousins get to the same GOD. Any mind you all it's the same GOD....For those who do not know....ISaac (from where all jews and christians come) was Ismael's brother (from where all the muslims comw)...Both were sons of Abraham.....

Malcolm Borg

Sep 8th 2009, 13:27

Well done on this initiative and although it is unfortunate that all religion philosophies taught will be centred around the Roman Catholic Faith, I believe it is a step in the right direction to treat each and every individual as amture enough to choose his or her own faith without indoctrinating them with dogmas from a very young age.
I hope the point will be made that each and every religion have essentially the same basic 'rules' and only the details differ.

Joe Borg

Sep 8th 2009, 13:16

the comments here are hilarious! We should be teaching children about the enlightenment, about people like Thomas Paine and the revolutionary ideas that have empowered Europe to rise from the feudal and superstitious miasma it was in, instead of subjugating young minds to superstitious obsequence.

A democracy that represents all its citizens equally should not make a preference to any cult or lack thereof. All the fervent catholics here believe in an all mighty god, then waste their phlegm abusing others to defend their almighty deity!

N.Calleja

Sep 8th 2009, 13:03

Before coming with this bright idea, I suggest to Rajan Zed to take this suggestion to his country and others living in Muslem, Hindu or any other religion nations to introduce the Catholic religion there. If he manages to convince them he should be awarded the Nobel Prize for bringing various religions together!!

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 8th 2009, 13:03

@LauraWilson.
It would be sacrilegious for any Catholic to force any other person, even another Catholic of whatever age , let alone a Quaker, to be forced to receive Holy Communion against his will. Either the teacher was not aware of the true situation or the true facts are nor as described by you.

adrian aquilina

Sep 8th 2009, 12:50

maybe soon freedom of choice will be allowed in this country..how about also teaching the evils of religion........the biggest start to moving this country forward would be to take religion out of mainstream society.religion should be a subject chosen not compulsery...

Robert Callus

Sep 8th 2009, 12:49

@Paul Micallef
Before getting ballistic, read the article well. There is nothing about crosses, just teaching about other faiths

''This is my country, when some one comes into my house, they stay by my rules''

Since when have you become the Catholic version of Ayatollah Khamheini.
As a Maltese citizen, born from Maltese citizens, this is my country as much as yours. I am agnostic, and while you can practice your faith as much as you want, I have the same right.
It is not YOUR country, it is OUR country, which also happens (luckily) to be a democracy. And it should remain a democracy, not become a theocratic state.

Laura Wilson

Sep 8th 2009, 12:35

We are friends with an English family who moved to Malta last year due to a work contract and enrolled their teenage son at a state school. They are Quakers and told the school head teacher this before he started. The parents were told that it was not a problem and that he would be allowed to have study periods when the other students had religion classes and church services. However, it has since become apparent that there are not enough teachers to spare one to suppervise him during these activities, so he is forced to attend. At one religious occassion last term he sat while all the other students took communion. When one teacher noticed him sitting there he grabbed him by the arm and pushed him to the priest and forced him to take communion. Needless to say they are seriously considering taking out a bank loan so that they can afford to send him to a private school where less emphasis is placed on religion.

So to all those who complain about the laws regarding freedom of rchoice in religion in Islamic countries I say look at your own constition and education system before complaining.

Paul Micallef

Sep 8th 2009, 12:32

I work in a school, and not over my dead body will i take a CROSS down from any class room, even if the PRIME MINISTER tells me so.
This is what we have become, to TOLLERANT, and we must change?
This is my country, when some one comes into my house, they stay by my rules and VICI VERSA.

Paul Micallef

Joseph Cauchi

Sep 8th 2009, 12:26

This is unchartered territory!

We should be very careful and not try to experiment with our future generation as the consequences would be unimaginable!

Could this be a question of “Fools rush in, where wise men fear to thread”?

JC.

Robert Callus

Sep 8th 2009, 12:13

@Charles J Zammit

''By all means teach our schoolchildren about other religions in their formative years BUT when Muslim states will do the same''

Why wait for that? This is education not competition between faiths. I wish I had such an opportunity when I was younger. Probably I'd still become agnostic anyway.

Ronnie Gauci

Sep 8th 2009, 12:11

Will Muslim countries do the same for us?? I don't think so!! If some foreigner is not pleased with the situation all he/she has to do is leave and return to his homeland.

Saviour Pirotta

Sep 8th 2009, 11:55

About time too! If Malta wants to play in its part of the bigger world its citizens have to learn about other faiths. They are, after all, a major motivation to millions of people. Withholding information from people is in no way defending the Catholic religion. As the world grows more multicultural, understanding other cultures and accepting them as equal to your own is vital to society.

a sultana peregin

Sep 8th 2009, 11:27

@ J farrugia
"We are in majority a catholic country " but the majority don't live as such!

Randolph Peresso

Sep 8th 2009, 11:27

@ Dr Adrian Gellel

A very open-minded idea, that is worth discussing. Well done.

Don't forget to include the Religion teachers in the discussion. They are the ones who are going to implement it and the ones with a constant contact with the students.

David Cutajar

Sep 8th 2009, 11:25

I agree. Faith is not something for the state to promote.

Children should be thought about all faiths, including the option to not believe. This might in time lead to less church-goers, but the church-goers then would be people who really believe in Christ, understand their religion and respect the Catholic Church, not people who feel social pressure to go or who go because they don't know otherwise.

Faith is a deeply personal choice, not something you need to qualify as Maltese.

Christian Sciberras

Sep 8th 2009, 11:19

And about time!

@J Farrugia - First, Malta practices free religion and as such, it is it's duty to accept other religions.
Secondly, this isn't about catholic schools, but public ones. I've always found imposing a particular religion on students as egoistic.
Lastly, this isn't about foreigners, someone might decide Catholicism isn't suitable for him/her. Aw wait, we're still in the middle ages, burn the witches and kill the pagans "in the name of god". Having your own son with a different religion? Who cares! He's a pagan! Kill him with the rest.

I've always been with the opinion that public schools shouldn't teach religion at all. But I guess the great Education Department need something to fill in the students' schedules.

Regards,
Christian Sciberras.

j n ebejer

Sep 8th 2009, 11:16

We choose to have the Christian Catholic religion thaught to our children because we believe that if thaught as it should this should lead our children to respect other religions.
There is nothing wrong in being sincere and say that one regards his religion as the best for him to folllow and no, for one not all religions are the same and so prefers this to be best for whom he is responsible for.
But then one needs to educate his children in the good principles his Catholic faith should bring him to endorse - respecting others - other religions other diversities-even if for one these are less important or unattractive or outright hostile. Now I bet that is even more challenging than getting hold of the many faiths there are and shurely would bring real peace to the troubled world. Let's invite other societies to teach amongst their siblings such principles through their chosen religions and we will shurely have a better world.

Joanne Micallef

Sep 8th 2009, 11:15

An insight on other religions can only enrich our students as no wrong can ever come from learning. Though as a mother I can safely state that students today do not see the beauty of our own roman Catholic faith in their religion lessons, but only view it as yet another subject with plenty to study and memorize for their half yearly and annual exams. So I hope a lot of thought is put into this before dumping more on our students, as our curriculum is already bursting as it is.

A Cassar

Sep 8th 2009, 11:14

@J Farrugia

I'm sorry to announce to you....but as a Maltese nation we send scores of missionaries to other countries, including India!! So if you are in favour of Catholic missionaries in India, you can't be offended that someone tries to proletyse in Malta.

But actually this is not about anyone proletysing to our children, but just gives our children a knowledge of other religions, what they believe in and how they are different from us. Just like our children learn french or german...they don't actually BECOME french or german!!!

Edward Camilleri

Sep 8th 2009, 11:09

Instead of brainwashing our children, the subject of religious studies at schools should teach just that, religious studies. It should not focus on one religion as is happening, but should teach the student the fundamentals of religion, covering several different ones as examples.

@J Farrugia
Brainwashing the young is not going to save the catholic church!

Leo Bartolo

Sep 8th 2009, 10:55

To Mr J Farrugia and his like, I suggest that he reads Pope John Paul II book, 'Beyond the Treshold of Hope' to understand the beauty of Buddhism, Islam, Judiasm among other religions whereby this Holy Pope has nothing but praise for other religions, and explains how we Catholics can enhance our spirituality from these religions.

claire farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 10:49

I remember my first exposure to another religion was when I was 19 and did an optional course at universit yabout Arabic short stories and Arabic Culture, because there I had to write an assignment about Mohammed's biography
if students can be exposed before to other religions, I see it as a very positive step in their education
I dont see what the stress is. they have a right to it in fact. having knowledge that is as unbiased and objective as possible..... you can appreciate more your own religion if you have information about other religions too, the similarities between them are astounding and the students will realize there are more similiarities than differences and will be more open to people coming from other backgrounds

c.caruana

Sep 8th 2009, 10:39

Why don't we ban all religious teaching from our schools?!

A. Zammit

Sep 8th 2009, 10:39

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, becauseChristian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'


'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom:

'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'
Maybe if we circulate this , American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths

vfarrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 10:37

I just hope that this new way of teaching religion will be offered to all, adults included, so that someday, we will have less fanatics running around, ruining people's lives.

Live and let live.

A. Zammit

Sep 8th 2009, 10:36

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.
Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians'.

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'. 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the language!'
continued.

Ramon Casha

Sep 8th 2009, 10:33

@J Farrugia: The constitution does not specify that only Catholicism may be taught. Personally, I don't think the reforms go far enough. They SHOULD be taught comparative religion in order to promote understanding and dialogue, and then the parents can make the choice of religious INDOCTRINATION at the church, temple or mosque of their choice - or choose to teach their own children their ideas of morality instead.

May Cassar

Sep 8th 2009, 10:33

Yes progress is important in every espect of our lives, we must keep up with all the other nations. So maltese children will now be more openned minded as they will learn about other religions. I just wonder if other nations especially in the islamic world if their children are also following this new practise and teaching them about other religions. If not I have a feeling the balance is going to be lost. And so it begins.

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 10:27

I, too, find that it is unlucky for the Roman Catholic Religion itself, that it has found itself in our Constitution.

Charles J Zammit

Sep 8th 2009, 10:27

By all means teach our schoolchildren about other religions in their formative years BUT when Muslim states will do the same in their cuntries and not execute anyone for having a
Bible to read and allowed to wear a Crucifix.
In the meantime lets stick to our Catholic Religion people have the freedom in Malta to beleive and worship what they beleive in . Good luck to them but if they do not like our beleifs and culture they are just as free to leave as they were when they got here .

B Baldacchino

Sep 8th 2009, 10:21

The Constitution should be amended, to which religion out children are exposed and in what they believe is up to them and their parents, not the church, which obviously want more followers to its faith!
AND PLEASE, il Kurja mandiex tindahal fil politika lokali u kif titmexxa Malta, tihu hsieb ruh il membri taha mux kif jivvutaw u kif jitmexxa il pajjiz

B Baldacchino

Sep 8th 2009, 10:21

The Constitution should be amended, to which religion out children are exposed and in what they believe is up to them and their parents, not the church, which obviously want more followers to its faith!
AND PLEASE, il Kurja mandiex tindahal fil politika lokali u kif titmexxa Malta, tihu hsieb ruh il membri taha mux kif jivvutaw u kif jitmexxa il pajjiz

Miguel Micallef

Sep 8th 2009, 10:18

Get out of your dream world Mr Farrugia. MAlta is not even remotely catholic. Some people SAY THEY ARE (and even then, most of this small group, in reality, aren't). The rest of the Maltese comfortable say they aren't catholic.

Why must a disillusioned person always state that Malta is ALL CATHOLIC when such articles hit the news? When is the government going to issue a public declaration that Malta is NOT a catholic state, but rather a secular one, where some people say they are catholic while most others clearly and comfortably aren't?

Until this happens, we will be kept back by so called 'catholic' people.

Dr Francis Saliba

Sep 8th 2009, 10:18

Would not Rajan Sed be rendering a better service to worldwide religious tolerance if he were to allow us to practice our Christainity and our tolerance of other religions here in Malta, and to devote his energy to persuade the Hindus to stop murdering Moslems and Christians in countries where Hinduism is the prevalent religion?

lgalea

Sep 8th 2009, 10:17

"The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, yesterday called on the Maltese authorities to replace the subject of religion with comparative religion where students are taught about major world religions, including the viewpoint of non-believers."
Rajan Zed, keep you religion to yourself. We do not need it.
This is an attempt to undermine our religion because of foreign residents and illegal immigrants.
Our religion is protected by the Constitution and should be the only religion instructed in schools in Malta.
If when people grow up they want to read about other religions they can do so, but simply trying to influence the children when they are easily influenced is UNACCEPTABLE.
Plato's words spring to mind when he is reported as having said, "Bring me children and I shall mold them according to my wishes" or words to this effect.

Ruby Jenner

Sep 8th 2009, 10:13

There is nothing wrong in being open to other points of view, I don't think anyone is trying to change the fact that Malta is mostly catholic and trying to convert the children but a wider undertanding of other religions can only benefit them and help to bring peace to this troubled world we live in.

chantelle sciberras

Sep 8th 2009, 09:55

Whoever you are, let me tell you one thing, other religions are as beautiful as our own and yes our children should be open to other religions! there is nothing wrong in this!

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Sep 8th 2009, 09:52

@ J Farrugia: No need for hysteria... Personally I think it's a very unlucky situation that Malta declares itself as Roman Catholic in its Constitution, a secular status would be much more preferable but that is beside the point...

I would rather have broad minded people than narrow minded ones, instead of bogging them down with the usual relentless dogma, children would be taught to evaluate and appreciate others cultures... We are global citizens after all..

It has nothing to do with appeasing foreigners, a friend of mine who is a priest studied Islam as part of his formation..

Franco Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:49

@ J Farrugia: Hurts, doesn't it? Yes, it really does, when you put yourself in a position where you have to be FORCED to come to terms that this is the 21st Century, ... even for the Roman Catholic Church in Malta. Anyway, this is already happening in many Catholic institutions - it is known as World Religions. And by the way, you insult your own religion when you compare it to the Muslim faith in the context you put it.

J Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:41

Mr Zed as a Maltese nation we do not interfere in what your country does so please I will ask you politely this time only, DO NOT INTERFERE IN OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS. Remember Salman Rushdie and enough is said. You have no right to impose your fanatical views on our political or religious authorities. We decide what we want as a nation to cater for OUR faith and for no other imported faiths (sic).

J Farrugia

Sep 8th 2009, 09:35

This is too much, who is Dr Gellel, Where is the Archbishop of Malta? The Maltese Constitution is clear about this matter. The Catholic Religion is to be taught in our schools and no other religion. We are in majority a catholic country and not other faith will have any proselytism in our schools. That is what is practised in mulsim countries and that is what we want in our country. Only our catholic faith is to be taught in our schools and nothing else Mr Gellel whoever you are. What next to appease foreigners in our land? Give them our homes and our wives and children?