Recently the Johannesburg High court ruled that public schools may not promote just one religion over the others.
#religioninSchools the Judgement. Basically schools are not allowed have one religion. @ANN7tv pic.twitter.com/KRThp8RVi2
— Nonhlanhla Julia (@Nhlajules) June 28, 2017
An organisation called the Organisasie vir Godsdienstige-Onderrig en Demokrasie (OGOD) took six public schools to court, arguing that their Christian religious policies were unconstitutional. Afriforum and Solidarity opposed the case, arguing that their community, specifically Christians, would be marginalised should the court rule in OGOD’s favour. Many schools in South Africa practice Christianity. It’s not uncommon to find learners in the assembly lines reciting the ‘Our father, who art in heaven prayer’ and often, regardless of whether you were Christian or not, you would be expected to say the prayer each day. This was one of the problems raised by OGOD: that even if schools made it voluntary for learners to participate in, say, daily Christian prayers, there was still pressure on learners to do so.
My favourite quote from #ReligionInSchools judgement #inclusive #DiversityIsBeautiful pic.twitter.com/QIGFlY7WTa — Annamagriet de Wet (@annamagrietdW) June 29, 2017
Naturally, the controversial issue took Twitter by storm.
#religioninschools Eya ka nnete, idk why it took this long. Shouldn’t people just go to church to learn about their religion? pic.twitter.com/afYsw9BuPQ
— Sociopath (@luti007) June 28, 2017
It’s high time South African schools stopped forcing religion down the students’ throats. #ReligionInSchools #secularism — Omen Mordecai Cage (@CageOmen) June 28, 2017
If your god is so powerful (or even real) then why didn’t the #religioninschools ruling go your way? pic.twitter.com/NyCZJVzTQH — Lifa (@MLifaro) June 28, 2017
A debate about religion in schools wouldn’t be complete without a tweet from Steve Hofmeyr.
I see we’re having some problems marrying the Communist narrative with the Christian ethos this morning. — Steve Hofmeyr (@steve_hofmeyr) June 29, 2017
Some debated the relevance of fighting over religion in schools while the pass rate remains so low. Some said the fight should be targeted at raising the pass rate, to improve the quality of our marks and education.
I see yall are very vocal about #SchoolsReligion but were very quiet when they dropped standards and made the pass mark 30% pic.twitter.com/1jXAoX5o8O — Munei Tshamano (@sensei_munei) June 28, 2017
Is it really that important to teach religion in school or force students to pray; is that what we are supposed to go to school for?
Khana what’s the importance of religion in schools?? #SchoolsReligion — lerato (@mabenaaaaaaaa) June 28, 2017
We expect too much from schools. They must teach your kids about their history, their languages, life and even their faith? #SchoolsReligion — Radical Apostle (@PatamediLebea) June 28, 2017
School and religion should not mix; assembly isn’t meant for prayer but rather updates on important matters. It should stay that way.
#SchoolsReligion and a 30% pass mark is going to produce some interesting dogma. e.g. Moses and the Three Commandments.
— Tom Eaton (@TomEatonSA) June 28, 2017
We asked young people what they thought of the issue. Gabriela McGowan told us:
“As an atheist, I’d feel extremely uncomfortable if my future kids were forced to partake in the ritualistic practice of prayer in their schools. It is not the schools’ place to impart their religious beliefs on the students, which for decades has unfairly leaned towards Christianity. They should teach character and morals which is not part and parcel of religion.”
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Image: nycreligion.info
