Latent Dangers of Religious Education

Muslim child studying the Quran with an expression of effort

The article analyzes the dangers of religious education, highlighting how some methods hinder critical thinking and humanity. It proposes an educational model based on universal values, spirituality, and openness to overcome conflicts and promote peace.

The little boy looked like he had a headache. His forehead was bent. His eyes looked tired. He was memorizing various forms of religious teachings, yes, the religion his parents had chosen for him. At such a young age, they were stressed. There were so many useless things to learn. The change in the Minister of Education did not have much impact. In Indonesia, especially regarding religious education, the backward and torturing patterns of students have not changed at all.

Is religion about blind memorization? Does learning religion have to be torturous? Isn't religion about life values, as well as a way to achieve peace in the heart, and in living together? We seem to have forgotten this.

Hearing the word religion, Indonesians are immediately flabbergasted. Religion is thought to be holy. Everything that smells of religion is immediately considered good. In fact, reality speaks differently. Religion is an organization. Religion is an institution. Humans create it. So much power politics, corruption, discrimination, and nepotism appear in it. This wrong thinking is then spread through education. Religion is trapped in formalism. It only teaches the skin. The deepest core of religion is barely touched.

This is a very dangerous mistake. Religion then no longer becomes a creator of peace, but of division and conflict. Religion becomes a source of ignorance and backwardness. It actually becomes the main enemy of humanity.

Dangers of Religious Education

There are seven things that are important to note.

1. First, religious education becomes dangerous when it only teaches absolute blind memorization. There is no understanding and development of common sense. There is no critical attitude.
2. Two, religion also becomes dangerous when it is taught without common sense. Logical thinking becomes flawed. People are easily fooled and provoked to spread hatred. This is the root of all forms of religious radicalism in the 21st century.
3. Three, religion also becomes a threat when it develops religious arrogance. People then believe blindly, without basis, that their religion is the most correct. There is no argument. There is no explanation. Only blind faith wrapped in empty arrogance.
4. Four, religious education is dangerous when it does not recognize humanity. Humanity, love, and peace must be the highest values of life. Religion must reflect these three main values. Otherwise, religion will become a source of hatred, anger, and war.
5. Five, religious arrogance and a lack of humanity will also make religious education dangerous. Discrimination in the name of religion will be created. Humans are separated on the basis of religion. Just one more step, bloody conflict will become real.
6. Six, religious education will be dangerous, when it is used to justify laziness of thought. Critical attitudes are considered apostasy. Analytical power is considered against holiness. Religion actually becomes a tool to make people stupid.
7. Seven, religion also becomes dangerous, when it is taught as a justification for dividing. Religion is used as a basis for oppressing others. Discriminatory attitudes are then considered something normal. If this happens, religion actually becomes an obstacle to the progress of civilization, and a spreader of suffering in the world.

Religious Education

Religious education should pay attention to the following three aspects:

1. First, religion is a matter of life values, as well as a matter of change from within towards peace and openness. Religion is not at all related to blind memorization. Religion is also not a matter of obedience or blind belief in teachings that are no longer in accordance with the changing times.
2. Two, religious education must develop common sense and critical attitudes. Questions and analytical power must develop in line with the development of a person's religious life. Curiosity is fostered by the urge to search deeper. Religious education must be involved in the education of the whole person.
3. Three, religious education must also encourage people to become spiritual. This means that they become human beings who transcend the boundaries of tradition, religion, tribe, and race. Spiritual humans are universal humans. With this educational pattern, all conflicts based on narrow identities will also disappear.

This kind of religious education is religious education that frees humans from ignorance, discriminatory attitudes, and suffering. The little child might sparkle when it is time to study religion. He will feel happy and whole as a human being. He will love his religion as much as he loves life itself.

Yusuf Daud
Founder SophiaCitra Institute PhiloSufi centre for Interfaith and Intercultural dialogue Surabaya-Indonesia