Religion should be a personal matter

Nov 04, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – I refer to the missive published in your newspaper on October 31, 2021, with the caption: ‘Leave prayer in schools alone, we have bigger problems to tackle!’ by Dr. Jerry Jailall. While the writer feels that the issue of prayers in the public school system is unimportant compared to the myriad of problems that blight the land, I feel that it is an issue worth confronting regardless of how unimportant it may seem to some. And of course, Guyanese are free to write about the host of problems that they consider to be more important; addressing the issue of prayers in school doesn’t diminish the ‘gravity’ of other matters.
I believe that for public institutions in a secular state where taxpayers are from all faiths and ‘lack of faith’, religion should be a choice and not an imposition. In many public schools and places in Guyana, the reciting of Christian prayers is the norm although the ancestors of the largest ethnic group were brought from India. How many schools actually have Muslim and Hindu prayers recited along the Christian one? And what about ‘prayers’ for Rastafarians, Agnostics and Atheists among others from the non-traditional faiths?
The purpose of public educational institutions in secular states should not be the religious indoctrination of children but the teaching of knowledge and skills to prepare them for adulthood.
Religion is a family affair. Children don’t attend school to learn to become a Christian, Muslim or Hindu. The child identifies with the religion of the parent(s) and is taught the associated practices at home from relatives or/and in religious places such as the Mandir, Mosque or Church. Children, depending on the wishes of the parents, receive sufficient religious teachings when they attend places of worship on weekends and/or in the afternoon in their own time. Would a minute of biased prayer in school which they are basically forced to recite regardless of religious background make them outstanding citizens? What this does, is show a lack of respect for children of other religious backgrounds and even if prayers from the three traditional religions are recited, what about respecting the rights of agnostic and atheist parents who may not want their children being forced to participate in ‘religious prayers’ where God is mentioned. In some public institutions including schools even adults are forced to participate in prayer sessions without consideration for their personal beliefs.
In Guyana, there are religious schools that cater to the Christian, Muslim and Hindu communities respectively. Since places of worship generally engage in many charitable activities, poor parents who may want their children to receive both academic and religious teachings in school, should seek scholarships from their religious leaders and the administrators of these schools.
On the other hand, the public school system should reflect the philosophy of the secular state and should be inclusive and overall non-discriminatory. Why is there the need to impose religious beliefs and one’s own version of morality and what it means to be ‘good’ on others who are told by these same people that they are free, that they are individuals and that they have the right to decide what to believe in and what not to believe in? What a contradiction!
For decades there has been the imposition of religion in the public school system and we still have a dreadful crime situation that weighs heavily on the minds of Guyanese living abroad and foreigners who juggle with the pros and cons of living or visiting here. Countless Guyanese have been living behind bars – that are on their windows and doors for decades.
Religion and saying a prayer do not automatically make one a morally upright and outstanding citizen. In fact, some of the most heinous crimes have been committed by people who don’t miss a prayer. Religious leaders from the Hindu, Muslim and Christian communities worldwide and in Guyana have been accused and often charged with such crimes as paedophilia, rape, assaults and domestic violence. Some even use their very position of power and trust to prey on people who put them on pedestals.
And, in some theocracies and overall conservative countries the oppression of girls and women and extreme impositions on the population which suppresses mind, body and soul all in the name of religion cannot be ignored.
Also, who decides what makes a person religious and/or good? Who has the monopoly and who is judge? Generally speaking, younger people tend to be more liberal and open-minded and Guyana is a ‘young people country’. I know young adults who identify as Hindus, Muslims and Christians yet they eat pork and beef; drink alcohol, fornicate, don’t pray or attend places of worship. Are they still Christians, Muslims or Hindus? Who decides? And how does doing any of these things affect the wellbeing of others?
Then for Dr. Jailall to bundle science, mathematics and religion together is just plain ridiculous. A basic understanding of science, mathematics and other academic subjects is essential for one to function effectively in the society. A child needs to learn how to count so that she/he won’t be robbed by the bus conductor, vendor or politicians who don’t know what constitutes a majority.
On science, a basic understanding of the human body and the world around us has taken mankind out of the dark ages. In Guyana, many girls from conservative homes do not receive an ‘education’ in the home about their bodies and biological processes that happen to all females. Many experience ‘menstrual shame’ or are judged and labelled because of bodily developments and behaviour which comes about as a result of hormonal changes that they have no control over. Plus, women are still blamed for not producing that coveted boy child. And there are people who claim to be religious and instead of keeping their unwanted views on morality to themselves, seek to impose and judge total strangers. What they regard as crime are such things as wearing tight clothing, talking to the opposite gender, the perception that one is doing ‘wickedness’ or don’t follow their idea of the ‘right way’.
Personally, I’ve never needed to pray or quote from the Bible, Bhagavad Gita or Quran in everyday situations, but I needed to know mathematics to get my correct change from cunning service personnel, and a basic understanding of science to reject harmful cultural beliefs regarding females.
In the 21st century; in the modern world where the vaccines are saving people and technological advances have greatly improved our quality of life and have become essential, let religion remain a personal matter which we don’t need to impose on others. Respect the freedom of choice, diversity and individuality. And keep in mind that at the moment Guyana is not a theocracy.

Yours faithfully,
Narissa Deokarran

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