Lessons in religion no longer obligatory in Belgium

Belgium’s Constitutional Court has ruled that children should not be required to follow religion or morals lessons in the country’s primary and secondary schools. Parents can now simply request that their children do not receive such lessons.

A year ago, a Brussels couple took the issue of obligatory lessons in religion to the Constitutional Court. The obligation constituted a violation of religious freedom in schools, the group claimed. The Constitutional Court has supported their claim.

Previously, primary and secondary pupils had to choose which religion to study from the list of recognised religions: Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, Jewish or Islam. Students could also choose a morals lesson instead of one of the religions.

In Flanders, parents are already allowed to request that their children not follow religious or morals studies but must provide a detailed explanation as to why. The Constitutional Court’s ruling, however, states that parents’ obligation to explain the reason behind their decision conflicts with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits said that she will examine the verdict  to determine how it affects the region’s current system. In Wallonia, political party MR has suggested abolishing religious studies altogether and replacing them with philosophy or lessons on the cultural history of religion.