From a classroom in Medford's most prominent Catholic school, Patrick Naumes quizzes his pupils on the tenets of Hinduism and Buddhism.

"What is the difference between nirvana in Buddhism and moksha in Hinduism?" asks Naumes, a world religions and history teacher at St. Mary's School.

Nirvana "is the extinguishment of desire," says sophomore Lauren Kolczynski, while moksha is the enlightenment of one's eternal self.

A course in world religions is required for high school graduation at the independent college-preparatory school of nearly 400 students on Black Oak Drive.

During the year-long survey, pupils learn in depth about all the major religions from Judaism to Islam.

Advertisement

Knowledge of other religions gives pupils a cultural and political insight into historic and current world events and improves intercultural and interdenominational relations, even within the school, where not all of the students are Catholic, said teachers and students from world religions classes.

"In this global society, it's important to understand how the world operates, and part of the way the world operates is religion," said Jim Meyer, head of St. Mary's upper school. "Colleges will see these students are people who want to know and understand the world around them."

The Catholic Church encourages its followers to learn about other people's beliefs in order to promote unity, understanding and collaboration between nations.

A Harvard University curriculum committee last month recommended requiring at least one course in religion for graduation, noting the significant role faith plays in shaping domestic and international politics and events.

The committee found religious education is lacking in most institutions of higher education.

"It's important to teach religion because it's such a huge part of life," said Kelsey Gross, a St. Mary's sophomore who is not religious. "If you're not learning the beliefs of other religions when you are learning history, you are lacking a huge source of what is causing the conflict" or other event.

In public secondary schools, world religions are rarely taught.

"As a public school we could teach a world religion course as long as we taught each religion equitably," said Todd Bloomquist, curriculum director in the Medford School District. "There is a misunderstanding that we can't talk about God in public schools. Teachers are not allowed to promote a religion to a captive audience."

Instead of teaching world religions, "we try to give students a general understanding and sensitivity to cultures different from this one," Bloomquist said.

Yet, public school administrators tend to shy away from such classes, as they can stir controversy and potentially cause conflict among parents, Bloomquist said.

Meanwhile, under the No Child Left Behind Act, teachers in public schools spend more and more time prodding students to master just the basics such as reading, writing and math, leaving less time for other subjects.

While the fear that teaching religion could alienate some students has prevailed in some public schools, non-Catholic students at St. Mary's say the world religions class there has the opposite effect.

"I think talking about different religions actually brings more awareness to everyone instead of isolating anyone because we not only hear the Catholic side, we also hear the Jewish side, the Muslim side, the Hindu side," Kelsey said.

In the spring each year, students have the option of going on a class trip to San Francisco, where they see religion in practice, from a Jewish synagogue to an Egyptian Coptic Christian church.

By giving equal time to each major religion, religious schools could end up sending the message that all religions are equal, which some parents who send their children to private schools to help solidify knowledge and beliefs in their own faith might oppose, said Paul Hammer, headmaster of the Catholic Guadalupe Education Center in Medford.

"An equal presentation of all religions could teach students that if doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're all nice," Hammer said.

"You can't live with blinders on in your life," Meyer said. "Our students have a firm Catholic foundation, but they also understand the reality that other cultures and religions exist in the world."

That is especially true during a time when the world has become more global, he said.

"I think the class broadens people's perspective in being able to accept people for what they are and not using stereotypes," such as all Muslims are terrorists, said Bryan Bolint, a junior who comes from a Lutheran family. "It helps you meet people of all different religions without drawing conclusions right away."

Reach reporter Paris Achen by calling 541-776-4459 or pachen@mailtribune.com.