It's quite in vogue to dismiss religious education by focusing on the Catholics for abusing little boys. But let's not forget that they've contributed countless libraries, schools and universities, and have often placed a higher standard on education than much of the public has. Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Unlike in the US, religious education is a standard part of the curriculum in all schools here. Even faith schools must teach a multifaith "awareness", rather than the dogmatics of their own. I've always thought it was a good thing and would be sorry to see it go, the lukewarm standardised approach has led to a great deal of semi-informed atheism here as well as discouraging the sort of religious extremeism that feeds off profound ignorance of what's in the bible 9or other religious book). Course it ain't perfect, but I think it works reaosnably well.
As for focus on education, unions in the UK were associated with strong pushes towards educational improvments here right up till the mid 60s while religious institutions were often viewed as backward and superstitious.
There seems to be a considerable cultural divide here. keep to the Fen Causeway
