Religious Education
Religious Education, instruction in the doctrines, traditions, values, and practices of any religion. Every religious group gives education not only to its youth but also to adults. In a narrow sense, religious education is a movement that took place in Protestant churches in the United States after 1900. The purpose was to raise the standards of religious instruction given by churches.
Systems of Religious EducationIn Protestant Churches the Sunday school is the chief agency of religious education. The school meets one hour a week, usually in the morning before the worship service. Classes are normally given for all age groups from preschoolers to adults, with emphasis on children's classes. Instruction is given in Bible, Christian principles, denominational doctrines and practices, moral values, and social ethics. Teachers are lay volunteers who serve under the pastor. Some churches have trained directors of religious education. Every major denomination publishes lesson materials for teachers and pupils.
Most churches also have confirmation classes for youth before they become members, and some have classes for adults who wish to join. Many churches have daily vacation schools for children during the summer, usually in the morning for two or three weeks. In many communities the public schools release children one or two hours a week so they may attend classes given by churches. Churches also offer summer camps for recreation, study, and inspiration. Some Protestant churches provide parochial weekday schools, which give both secular education and religious instruction.
Religious education also is given through youth groups that usually meet Sunday evening for recreation, worship, study, and service. In addition, there are special organizations of men and women that meet regularly for similar purposes. Churches also give religious education through periodicals and pamphlets.
The Catholic Church relies primarily on its parochial schools, which give religious education as well as instruction in secular subjects. Certain subjects may emphasize the Christian point of view, as interpreted by the church. In some communities Catholic pupils in public schools attend religious classes on released time. Catechism classes are held on Saturday or Sunday to give instruction in Catholic doctrines and practices. Inquirers' classes are offered to non-Catholic adults.
In Judaism most synagogues hold classes for children on weekdays, after public school hours, or for an hour or two on Sunday. Instruction is usually given by professionally trained teachers. There are also Jewish parochial schools, which provide both secular and religious education.
HistoryReligious education is as old as religion itself, but the term did not come into use until after 1900. The modern movement began because of the weakness of the Sunday school in Protestant churches. There was a growing belief also that churches should make greater use of education and rely less on revivals. In 1903 the Religious Education Association was organized in Chicago to apply the ideas of professional education to the Sunday school and other church agencies. In 1922 the International Council of Religious Education was formed. In 1950 this council became the Division of Christian Education in the National Council of Churches.
The religious education movement led to the development of improved course materials and to the preparation of lessons graded to the educational levels of children. There was also emphasis on teacher training. Above all, religious education was held up as the natural method of Christian evangelism. Leaders urged that education should go beyond instruction in Christian principles and doctrines and should lead to commitment to Christian ideals of character and conduct.