Die godsdiensneutraliteitsbeginsel van die Amerikaanse demokrasie - implikasie vir onderwys in die RSA

Abstract

The principle of religious neutrality in the American democracy - implications for education in the RSA

In a changing, democratic educational dispensation the accommodation of various religious convictions and religious needs of the heterogenous South African population is a matter that has to be dealt with with great circumspection. Valuable lessons that can prevent distress and disruption may be learnt from the way in which the American hyper-democracy has handled the situation. Democracy is the American's predominant pre-occupation. Any attempt of any group (e.g. a religious group) to grant a monopoly in state schools to religious values in special learning content and religious ceremonies and practices has always been opposed. This approach has eventually led to total neutrality as regards traditional religious convictions and practices in American state schools, resulting in the establishment of another conviction (secular humanism) in state schools. Thus it seems that neutrality as regards religious convictions is not possible. Absolutism of the principle of neutrality as regards traditional religions has resulted in a degeneration of moral values. If all the religious convictions cannot be accommodated in the South African public education system, it may for South Africa, as bastion of Christian civilization, be a danger sign as has been the case in the USA.