Meaning of Freedom in Religion and Education

ABSTRACT

The present study is concerned with the problem of freedom in religion and education. At the same time, religious freedom of the individual and religious education in public school in the current religiously pluralistic society will be examined. Essentially both education and religion tend to seek the ultimate truth. Religious truth seeks ultimate spiritual truth while the purpose of education is to free people. However, there always exist conflicts between the individual, religious freedom and the freedom of religious education in religious schools, which emphasize the educational ideology based on specific religious dogmas.The problems of religious freedom in the religious schools derive from an ambiguous attitude that cannot devide the definite line between the freedom of religion and the freedom of religious education. The purpose and essence of education is to teach universal knowledge, not to propagate a specific religion. Despite that, a non-educational ego centric mind set to make the schools the place of religious missionary work brings about the infringement on the religious freedom. Accordingly, it is quite reasonable that the founding ideology of religious school should be developed within the framework of universal education. The current issue of religious freedom is mainly caused by the policies of education authorities. The so-called equalization policy has deprived students of the freedom to choose their schools. On the other hand, it has limited schools the freedom to choose their student.Here the focus of the discussion is to map out a way to settle wisely the current problems and dilemmas of religious education. Education should be free from preconceived opinions and the doctrinal way of thinking. Education should be emphasized to encourage students to cultivate their creative powers and to understand the ever-changing modern world. The religious freedom of the pluralistic age should be complete and perfect far beyond the stage of religious tolerance.Religious freedom is the very demand of human dignity. This freedom is an inherent right of human kind and also the basis of all other freedom. Henceforth every attempt to infringe on religious rights should be discouraged and freedom of education should be exercised within the framework of keeping religious freedom. In conclusion, pluralistic religious education is the best solutions to settle the current problems of religious education.