Religious education – Yes or no? – In the light of a pilot research

Abstract

Religious education is undoubtedly one of the most controversial topics taken up in the Polish public space in recent years. The process itself and the course (two hours a week at the primary and secondary stages of education) and the fact of giving grades (counting towards the average on the school certificate) is strongly questioned, both by the interested parties (students) and people who do not directly participate in this process. The aim of the study was to check whether religiosity (measured by the Religiosity Scale) influences views on whether religion les[1]sons should (or not) take place on school premises, and whether a grade should (or not) be given in this subject and included (or not) in the average on the school certificate. The respondents (students) participating in this process at every stage of their education in the vast majority were in favor of taking religion lessons out of school and for them not to be evaluated. As assumed, religiosity measured by the Religiosity Scale (SR) influenced responses in favor of maintaining the existing status quo.