Ethics and Religious Studies
Religious Education Department Vision
Religious Education at The English School allows students to know, explore and appreciate the role of ethics and religion in developing critical thinking skills and empathy, as well as cultivating values and communities. Also, students will learn how different religions address key moral questions and be able to reflect on their values.
Within this context, Religious Education (both Option A [Focusing on the Greek Orthodox Faith] and Option B [Ethics and Religion]) wishes to foster the spirit of mutual respect among human beings and an understanding of how ethics play a role in everyday life. The Religious Education Department cultivates these principles among the English School students, who will then embrace and convey them in their future endeavours as young adults and professionals.
Departmental Aims and Ethos
Aims
- Explore both religious and secular perspectives.
- To gain an understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews.
- To comprehend that spirituality transcends the limits of religious creeds and includes non-religious worldviews (atheism, agnosticism, humanism, etc.)
- To make reasoned and informed judgments about moral issues
- To grasp the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals and communities on a local and universal scale
- To increase spiritual, moral, cultural and social development within the context of the school’s community, characterised by a positive attitude towards other people.
- To become familiar with and accept beliefs, traditions and customs, which are different from our/their own, with respect for individual rights while developing the skills to harmoniously coexist with others within a diverse society
- To prepare for the opportunities, responsibilities and challenges of modern life
Ethos
We fully embrace the value of freedom, loving tolerance, and mutual respect among all people regardless/despite their religious or cultural differences. While familiarisation with religious beliefs, doctrines and experiences is definitely a major objective of RE we fully support every student’s right to follow their own religious belief or embrace a non-religious worldview. Both Options of Religious Education in our School exist to celebrate local traditions and diversity in Cyprus and abroad.