Ukraine petition calls for Bible reading in schools and kindergartens
A new petition proposes annual Bible reading in educational institutions as a way to foster discipline and morality among young people.
A petition proposing mandatory reading of the Orthodox Bible in kindergartens starting at age three and in schools has been registered on the website of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, according to Telegraf.
The initiative was launched by Denys Brynza, who stated that Orthodoxy has served as the spiritual foundation of the nation since 988 and that passing this historical heritage on to future generations is a moral duty of society. According to the author, regular reading of Scripture would have a positive moral and educational impact, instill discipline and integrity in children, and help reduce crime and corruption.
The petition proposes introducing a corresponding curriculum for preschools and schools, requiring the Bible to be read in full each year, while also allowing parents to opt their children out. For the petition to be considered by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, it must collect at least 25,000 signatures.
As the UOJ previously reported, a Canadian minister called for restrictions on quoting the Bible over passages deemed hateful toward LGBT people.
