UK's Department of Education Clarifies Religious Education Requirements

Britain's Department of Education yesterday issued a Guidance Note (full text) assuring schools that their Religious Education curriculum does not need to change in response to a court decision (see prior posting) last month holding that schools cannot completely exclude the study of non-religious beliefs. According to the Department, the decision does not mean that equal time must be given to teachings of humanism. Schools can continue to give precedence to the teachings of major faith groups, and the curriculum of non-religiously affiliated schools must "reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are, in the main, Christian whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain."