The controversy surrounding religious education

Since that report was published on the subject, it does not stop coming to the editors of this magazine demonstrations for and against the decision of the Spiritist Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CEERJ) in relation to religious education in schools in Rio.

The position of the Brazilian Spiritist movement against teaching religion in public schools is clear and old. Anyone who has read the book "Religion" by Carlos Imbassahy, published by the FEB, knows this well.

However, there are contrary relevant arguments to this understanding. In the last edition of this magazine, were brought two letters from readers to take some arguments that have not generally been considered.

It is for the family, not the school, the religious children formation, a task that may or may not be complemented by spirits centers, it is a question beyond dispute, because it is in fact the expression of truth.

In issue no. 110 of the book "The Comforter", Emmanuel referred to the subject. It was asked to him: - What is the best school in preparation of reincarnated souls on Earth?

Emmanuel answered: "The best school is still home, where the creature must receive the bases of feeling and character. Educational establishments, the world itself may instruct, but only the family institute can educate. It is for this reason that the university can make the citizen, but only the home can build the man. In its monumental task of Christianization, this is the deep end of Spiritism Gospel, to enlighten the mind of the creature, so that the home is remade and new cycle of spiritual progress results, among men in Christian homes, for the new era of humanity."

As it has been reported in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the Municipal Education hired 45 catholic teachers, 35 evangelicals and 10 African-Brazilian religions through a competition. Everyone had to submit recommendation of the churches to which they are attached. There were, however, canceled the ten vacancies that had been reserved for teachers of Spiritism, because the Spiritist Council of the State of Rio de Janeiro (CEERJ) did not adhere to the proposal in reason to disagree that students receive guidance of confessional nature.

The position of CEERJ had already been manifested in 2002, when then Governor Anthony Garotinho sanctioned the law instituting this confessional mode in state schools. At that time, the CEERJ made public its idea that "it is unquestionably responsibility to the family the religious formation of children, not to be school function."

Was it really the right decision by Rio confreres?

Extinguish the vacancies for the spirit is it not the same as giving up an important resource for the dissemination of Spiritism?

If a major newspaper or a radio station opens to spiritists a free space to spread the doctrine, is it fair to refuse this offer?

If education is an essential home task, it is not say the same from instruction, which it is, as we know, task inherent to school. If our children there receive information about history, geography, mathematics and many other disciplines, why evade them basic information about Spiritism?

Receiving this information, children will not be educated, but they will be enlightened and well resourced to be able to distinguish Spiritism from African-Brazilian religions, something that even in Brazil much of the population ignore.

These considerations cannot be ignored in a comprehensive and honest debate on the subject, since the Act which originated such controversy is nationwide and therefore involves the participation of the spirit of the whole country, not just in Rio de Janeiro.