Education and Religion- Are they Separate and Does this Matter

Learning of child begin when he or she opens eyes in this world. Informal education of the child starts when he or she becomes a younger child and formal education is provided by the schools. Education helps to train us according to our society. Norms, values, and cultures are taught by our teachers. The education system is proved to be an agent of change that helps to educate us and think beyond the local norms and values in which we are born.

Role of Religion and Education

On the other hand, religion plays a vital role in the socialization process. Without studying a religion, one is unable to learn the culture. Religion helps a lot in solving several issues in society. Religion and education both play a vital role in learning beliefs and values in society.

Islam

According to Islam the first verse of the Quran which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), is “Iqra!” which means “Read”.  It is very important for a Muslim to get an education to better understand Allah's revealed. Education was focused by early rulers and they built libraries and educational institutions.

Religions

But later, some religious leaders preferred religious education over scientific education results decline in scientific education. Christianity also focuses on education but in the 17th century, there was a conflict between astronomer Galileo and the Roman Catholic church. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism promotes as well as demote education.

 Religious Education

A study at Leeds Beckett University and the University of Missouri shows a negative relation between the religious education provided in schools and time spent on mathematics and science.  This study concludes that the time spent by children on religion results in less time spent on other things.

Professor Stoet advised to the policymakers to keep education and religion separate. The need of secular approach is necessary for educational policy.

Massoud Shadjareh from the Islamic Human Rights Commission said that if state schools are all secular then “you are not going to give a whole section of the community parental choice.”