Theologians to the Ministry of Education: Ethics cannot act as a "counterweight" in Religious Studiestranslated

The Panhellenic Theological Association "KAIROS" for the upgrade of Religious Education points out the need for strict observance of the legislation regarding the exemptions from the Religious Studies course, after the inclusion of Ethics as an alternative compulsory course, in its memorandum to the Ministry of Education. The Association underlines that the Religious Studies course is compulsory and, as it notes, has a "cognitive" and not catechetical character, while a full exemption is provided for students who invoke reasons of conscience, without requiring a declaration of their religion.

At the same time, it refers to the institutionalization of the Ethics course, following the decisions of the Council of State, as an "equal alternative educational process" for students who are exempted from Religious Studies.

Ahead of the start of the new school year, "KAIROS" asks the Directorates of Education and school units to give clear instructions, so that the current legislation is observed and practices are not implemented which, as it claims, could make the Ethics course "counterweight to the Religious Studies course", leading to unconditional exemptions.…