Peter Cumper University of Leicester, England. Aim of my paper How should the state teach religion...

Peter CumperPeter Cumper

University of Leicester,University of Leicester,

EnglandEngland

Aim of my paperAim of my paper

How should the How should the state teach state teach religion in religion in Europe in 21Europe in 21stst centurycentury??

Article 2 of the First ProtocolArticle 2 of the First Protocol

Article 2 of the First Protocol provides that Article 2 of the First Protocol provides that “No person shall be denied the right to “No person shall be denied the right to education. In the exercise of any functions education. In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions”.religious and philosophical convictions”.

Folgerø v NorwayFolgerø v Norway

FolgerøFolgerø v Norway (2008) 46 v Norway (2008) 46 EHRREHRR 47 47

Norwegian humanists objecting to KRL.Norwegian humanists objecting to KRL.

Violation of Art 2 P.1, due to the fact that Violation of Art 2 P.1, due to the fact that parents could only request a parents could only request a partial partial exemption from KRL in order to counter exemption from KRL in order to counter the the qualitative qualitative (Christian) imbalance in the (Christian) imbalance in the way it was taught. way it was taught.

HasanHasan v Turkey v Turkey

HasanHasan and Eylem Zengin v Turkey (2008) and Eylem Zengin v Turkey (2008) 46 46 EHRREHRR 44 44

Father and daughter, followers of AlevismFather and daughter, followers of Alevism

Violation of Art 2 P.1. No withdrawal from Violation of Art 2 P.1. No withdrawal from RE Muslims (including followers of the RE Muslims (including followers of the Alevi faith) for unlike children from Alevi faith) for unlike children from Christian or Jewish families who could be Christian or Jewish families who could be withdrawn.withdrawn.

Common Principles (iii)Common Principles (iii)

Article 2 P.1 “aims at safeguarding the Article 2 P.1 “aims at safeguarding the possibility of pluralism in education, a possibility of pluralism in education, a possibility which is essential for the possibility which is essential for the preservation of the “democratic society” as preservation of the “democratic society” as conceived by the Convention”. As a conceived by the Convention”. As a consequence the State “is forbidden to consequence the State “is forbidden to pursue an aim of indoctrination that might pursue an aim of indoctrination that might be considered as not respecting parents' be considered as not respecting parents' religious and philosophical convictions” . religious and philosophical convictions” .

Defining TermsDefining Terms

Information or knowledge must be Information or knowledge must be

““conveyed in an objective, critical and conveyed in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner, enabling pupils to pluralistic manner, enabling pupils to develop a critical mind with regard to develop a critical mind with regard to religion … in a calm atmosphere which is religion … in a calm atmosphere which is free of any misplaced proselytism”.free of any misplaced proselytism”.

Hasan, para 52. Hasan, para 52.

RE - QuestionsRE - Questions

Remove RE from the schoolRemove RE from the school

Option 2Option 2 Adopt the French modelAdopt the French model

But note the But note the powerful powerful arguments for arguments for some form of some form of formal REformal RE

ConclusionConclusion