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Statement to Madrid Conference by Dr. John Graz

Mister Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf of the International Religious Liberty Association, I would like to thank Professor Abdelfattah Amor, the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Conviction, and the Spanish Government for organizing this conference.

Who could say, nowadays, that religion doesn’t play, at least, a minor role in societies and international relations? Religion appears in the background of most of the current conflicts and wars. It imposes itself as a factor of reconciliation, and also as a factor of division. The ultra extremists use religion to justify their thirst for power and the slaughtering of innocent people.

We should also observe the lack of preparation and knowledge of political leaders to deal with the religious phenomenon and the growing trends of prejudice against religions and religious minorities.

For these reasons, we believe, Mr. Chairman, that the role of the school in the learning of religion and tolerance is essential. This is why our association co-organized a meeting of experts on this theme with the University of Extremadura’s School of Law, and the “Association Internationale pour la Dèfense de la liberté religieuse.”

The majority of our experts think that a distinction should be made between “teaching about religion” and “teaching of religion.”

The public school, at the primary and secondary levels, should provide courses on religion, given by specialized and well trained teachers.

Religions should be taught as history or geography with respect for all, and prejudices for none. The purpose of teaching about religions would be, before all, the acquisition of a basic knowledge of religions and an openness towards the differences between them. The public school is the most logical place where a spirit of tolerance can be formed in young minds, and where the process of learning pluralism can be most effective.

Concerning the teaching of religion, we believe that it is also very important, but that it’s place is first in the religious institutions, or in the family’s home.

Having said that, we encourage dialogue between school authorities and religious communities. It would be a good way to improve their common task. Accommodations may be found, but the teaching of religion has to be a free choice, without any pressure from school administration, and without discrimination for non-believers and religious minorities.

It won’t be useful or helpful, either for the public school, or for the countries, to underline and feed prejudice. The public school role is, on the contrary, to teach tolerance, religious freedom, and respect for the choice of others’ religions, or no religion, to everyone.

The public school must unite the future citizens on values that everyone can share and defend, such as responsibility, freedom, and human rights.

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