Arwen, aged 13, believes that an education in Religion and Worldviews gives young people confidence and  social conscience in a complex world. We were also pleased to see the way in which Arwen referenced her learning about worldview responses to the Covid pandemic.

In a world that is increasingly divided, a strong and well- rounded education is more important than ever. However, all too frequently religious studies/ worldviews is overlooked within that spectrum of learning, leaving pupils without a full understanding of the world around them by the time they leave school. RS is imperative in many senses. It offers a broader knowledge of other cultures, aiding the fight for equality and helping people communicate better as adults. Without learning about perspectives other than your own, you not only miss out on a fuller life, but a respect for others that is key in modern society.  

As stated above, our world is becoming more divided, thanks to things like fake news and social media. By studying other religions in school, you have access to a lifeline of information that is guaranteed to be unbiased and respectful: you can form opinions based on facts rather than stereotypes. In this way, RS prevents religious discrimination and general intolerance of other cultures. RS also helps to tackle extremism. Toxic ideas like white supremacy are challenged by taking RS and people are left with respect for others and empathy instilled within them. Bigotry and prejudice are exposed and confronted, so that they do not run riot in multi-cultural societies.  

As well as RS teaching many important moral values, children who study it gain excellent social skills such as debating, public speaking and presentation. This can aid pupils who struggle to find their sense of self: they might see themselves reflected in the cultures they learn about, or find a sense of community with new people. Pupils learn to use critical-thinking when they evaluate open-ended statements, therefore expressing themselves better. Thanks to RS, children leave school with a strong sense of self and more confidence than they otherwise would have.  

Religion itself has also had a positive effect during this pandemic. Religious charities all over the world, like United Sikhs, have been providing reliable information about COVID-19 and protecting human rights. Acts of selflessness have been widely appreciated recently, and qualities like this have been taught for thousands of years in religion. By reflecting upon their faith, people have found solace in these troubling times and discovered a source of strength to help their community. 

 In conclusion, religious studies can teach us many things and help to improve the lives of others, not just the lives of ourselves. We can learn to have a social conscience by learning from and about religion and use our voices to better express ourselves.