Norway asked to treat all religions equally

The Hindus and the Jews have asked Norway to treat all major religions evenly while teaching religion in its schools. At present, approximately 55 per cent of the teaching hours are allocated to Christianity and about 25 per cent on other religions

CJ: Correspondent

Fri, Apr 24, 2009 01:08:26 IST

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Religion And Culture :

“CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE and religious and ethical education,” taught in Norwegian primary and lower secondary schools, was firmly based in the majority religion and culture, thus resulting in minority faiths getting step-motherly treatment, Zed and Rabbi Freir

Hindus and Jews have asked Norway to treat all major religions evenly while teaching religion in its schools.

Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a joint statement, said that syllabus of subject “Christian knowledge and religious and ethical education,” taught in Norwegian primary and lower secondary schools, was firmly based in the majority religion and culture, thus resulting in minority faiths getting step-motherly treatment.

According to reports, under this religious education, approximately 55 per cent of the teaching hours are allocated to Christianity; about 25 per cent on Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and other religious diversity and views on life; and approximately 20 per cent on philosophy and ethics. This class is mandatory, without any exceptions for children of other religious groups.

The Norway Education Act says: Teaching in Religion and Ethics shall—provide a 'thorough knowledge' of the Bible and Christianity…, provide a 'thorough knowledge' of the Evangelical-Lutheran faith and of different Christian denominations, provide 'knowledge' of other world religions and philosophies of life, promote understanding and respect for Christian and humanist values.

Zed and Freirich argued that offering equal treatment to each of the major world religions and non-believers’ viewpoint would make the Norwegian schoolchildren well-nurtured, well-balanced and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

Until new syllabus acceptable to major religions was formulated, alternatives should be provided to religious education currently taught in schools.

Registration requirement in Norway was also disadvantageous to certain minority religions/denominations and needed immediate revision, Zed and Freirich pointed out.

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that Norway should listen to Henrik Wergeland, one of its greatest poets, who wrote, “Every religion has a gentle and loving heart,” and fought for the weak.

Besides various Christian denominations, Norway has now a considerable population of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Humanist Association members, etc, including over six per cent having 'no religion'. Out of those belonging to majority Church of Norway, only about ten per cent attend church services more than once a month.

Norway has an official Protestant State Church based on the Evangelical-Lutheran religion. Christianity came to Norway around 1000 AD and ultimately gained prominence over the gods of traditional Norse mythology and Sami nature worship.

Norway, one of the most beautiful countries on earth, famed for its spectacular fjord coastline, enjoys one of the highest living standards in the world.

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