Religious Education

In secular usage, religious education is the teaching of a particular religion and its
varied aspects, its beliefs, doctrines, rituals, customs, rites, and personal roles. In Western and
secular culture, religious education implies a type of education which is largely separate from
academia, and which regards religious belief as a fundamental tenet and operating modality, as
well as a prerequisite condition of attendance. The secular concept is substantially different
from societies that adhere to religious law, wherein “religious education” connotes the
dominant academic study, and in typically religious terms, teaches doctrines which define
social customs as “laws” and the violations thereof as “crimes”, or else misdemeanors requiring
punitive correction.

Religious Values
Religious values are ethical principles founded in religious traditions, texts and beliefs.
In contrast to personal values, religious-based values are based on scriptures and a religion's
established norms. Various aspects of the significance of religious values have been considered
with respect to novels, their relevance to a particular religious group (the Jains for instance or
Latin Americans), and in relation to human society.

Why Religious Education Has an Important Role to Play in our Society

Religious Education is important for the development of understanding and knowledge
about religions in the young minds. It provides an individual with insight into different
religious practices, faiths, beliefs and helps people know and familiarize with different cultures
around the world. It builds tolerance among people with different background and religious
beliefs. Overall, it serves to build a better society, community, and culture of the human being.
Hope this article will help you understand the question and will serve you like an essay writing
help.

1. Religious education is vital to democracy

Religious belief and norms still remain the living force of the moral spirit of society. Religious
education not only teaches virtue, but it also catalyzes moral action. Thus, it plays a vital role
in society, enabling the individual having special considerations for different people with
different needs. It teaches individuals to abide by the law voluntarily and respect others (and
their properties). It teaches you how to give value to the human relationships and that money
cannot buy you love and peace.
 2. Makes people understand the value of religious freedom
Indeed, preserving religious freedom in society is of great importance and has key
advantages. Religious freedom amplifies socioeconomic progress in society and reduces
violent conflict. Common people can only understand the importance of religious freedom
through religious education. This will allow them to respect the different religious beliefs of
their neighbor. Thus, societies are better developed when citizens have the freedom to express
their religious beliefs and ideologies. So, religious education contributes to a more peaceful,
stable and charitable society.

3. Improves the ability to think critically

The religious study itself is a demanding subject requiring rigorous efforts to
understand its principle. Therefore, religious education also enables to empower your critical
thinking ability as you go through the courses.

4. You will understand your heritage

Irrespective of the religious education you are receiving, it will enlighten you with your
heritage, values, and future understanding. For young people, it offers a great opportunity to
develop consciousness of society, philosophy, history, politics, and culture.

5. Individuals will know their own identity

With the help of religious education, individuals get to know about their identity and
start to respect themselves. It also teaches to know your rights and key responsibilities towards
society and mankind at large. There is a growing need for religious education in a time when
we need a more tolerant society with increasing diversity among communities. Religious
education will play a vital part in establishing social bonding and building a true understanding
among different societies, reducing social unrest, intolerance, and friction between
communities.

Unfortunately, the religious space is more and more reduced by the idea that religion is
a purely private matter. This prevents the study of religion at a larger scale at a community
level and circulating the true essence of religion. This trend is disconcerting, especially for
believers. The current world, even more so need the religious education as we can clearly notice
the dip in religious tolerance across the globe. No religion teaches us to hate human beings and
nature or disrespect other religions. The role of religion in society remains indispensable.
Religion must remain a very precious heritage. Preserving this legacy carefully through
religious education will help to develop a renewed respect for religious freedom and the
democratic principles that support it. This respect will come with religious education, and
people will understand and recognize the vital place of religion in society.

Importance of Religious Values

Religious values centre around the expectations that people have about themselves and
others based on the beliefs of their faith. Although each faith has its beliefs, there are common
values that many faiths tend to share. Examples of religious values include:

 Showing compassion to those in need

 Treating others as one would like to be treated

 Continually learning and growing both spiritually and intellectually

 Being modest in your relations with others

 Being respectful and nonviolent when interacting with others

Examples of Religious Values

Christianity
One of the most important Christian values is directly linked to the belief that all
people are made in the image of God and all members of the faith are said to be united in the
Body of Christ. This core belief is central to Christian teachings, which express that there is
value to be found in all people, no matter their appearance or social status. Christians are
commonly taught to respect the people around them, to help those in need and to treat others
as they themselves would want to be treated.

Hinduism

Ahimsa: Non-violence.
Karma: Good or Bad action leads to good or bad results.
Samsara: Reincarnation.
Brahman: Supreme spiritual reality or Pure Consciousness divined through meditation.

Selfless Service without desire for reward - Krishna’s teaching in Bhagavad Gita
Being a good person matters more than being a believer for all paths lead to Krishna and
nobody who is a good person will suffer in any afterlife. - Bhagavad Gita.

Islam
Modesty is one of the most important Islamic values. Muslims believe that modesty is
what keeps people above animals. This value is often made visible through dress. Women
typically cover themselves to protect their modesty, although the degree to which they are
covered in public varies, depending on their specific beliefs. Some cover even their eyes, using
veils that leave only a small slit to look through or that include a thin section of fine mesh that
enables them to see. Men are also expected to dress modestly, covering themselves from the
waist to the knees in loose fitting and opaque clothing.

Buddhism
Compassion is a core value in Buddhism. Followers of this religion believe in the
interconnectedness of all things and the universality of suffering. Such interconnectedness
makes compassion empathetic in nature; the compassion extended to others is reflected in the
person showing that compassion. Also central to this value is the belief in reincarnation and
karma. Bad deeds might go unpunished in this life, but, through karma, the person
performing bad deeds might pay for them by being reincarnated as a lower form of life, such
as an insect. Being compassionate and nonviolent to all living things is returned with good
karma and a better life.