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.  
  Curriculum

Religious Education (RE Group A)

• Lower Secondary Education (Gymnasium, Ages 12-15): Students receive two hours of RE per week. The curriculum focuses on:
  • Introduction to the Bible and its teachings.
  • Understanding the sacraments and liturgical life of the Orthodox Church.
  • Exploration of Orthodox Christian ethics and moral issues.
  • Study of church history, including significant events and figures.
• Upper Secondary Education (Lyceum, Ages 15-18): RE continues with an emphasis on:
  • Deeper theological studies and philosophical discussions.
  • Analysis of contemporary moral and ethical dilemmas from an Orthodox perspective.
  • Comparative studies of other world religions to promote interfaith understanding.

The overarching goals of the RE curriculum are to:

• Foster a strong sense of Greek Orthodox identity and heritage among students.
• Encourage moral development and ethical reasoning based on Christian principles.
• Promote respect and understanding of religious diversity.

 
Ethics and Religion (RE Group B)

Year 1
Introduction to Religious and Ethical Teaching
The aims of religious education and ethical teaching
Worship and prayer
Secular philosophies
Signs and Symbols
 
Judaism       
Judaism: basic historical, geographical context
The Patriarchs
Jewish Worship
Jewish philosophical inquiries
 
 
Christianity   
How did Christianity Begin and Important Councils
Christian Teachings and Ethical Principles
Agape Ethics
The Great Schism and the Catholic Church
The Reformation
Christian Denominations
The Crusades
 
Islam
The Background to Islam —The Prophet Muhammad’s life 
Islamic Teachings of Ethics: The Five Articles
The Five Pillars and the Qur’an 
 
Year 2
Hinduism     
Introduction to Hinduism
Hinduism and Ethical Principles
Hindu worship
 
Buddhism     
Buddhism: Basic historical, geographical and cultural context 
Buddhism Teachings on Ethics:  Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path
Mindfulness, compassion and non-harming in Ethical Living
 
Sikhism        
Basic Historical, Geographical, social, religious context of Sikhism
Sikh Teachings and Universal Ethical Values
The practice of Free Kitchen (Langar)
 
Year 3
Thomas Aquinas: The Five Ways
Rene Descartes: I think therefore I am
Atheism-Masters of Suspicion: Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx
Agnosticism
Humanism      
Religious Cults
 
Year 4
Social Diversity and cultural diversity
Human Rights Story
Human Rights Leaders: Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King
Auschwitz: an example of racial disharmony
Adolf Eichmann: The Trial
Hannah Arendt: The Banality of Evil
 
Year 5
Human Nature and Social Contract Theory: Thomas Hobbes and John Locke
Human Nature, Ethics and Art: Marina Abramovic-Rhythm 0 and Yoko Ono- Cut piece
Religion as Tool of Pacifism or Vehicle of Control: Mahsa Amini and Charlie Hebdo
Religion and AI
Religion and Inclusiveness