Paris, France, Sep 6, 2007 / 08:35 am
French President Nicholas Sarkozy has urged all French teachers to participate in a renaissance of the French education system, which he believes should include the instruction of religion.
"I am convinced that we should not leave the issue of religion at the school door," Sarkozy wrote in a letter to educators, which was made public Sept. 4.
The French president underlined that he was not advocating for proselytizing or teaching within a theological framework. However, he clearly stated his belief that religion and spirituality are significant to the human person.
"The spiritual and the sacred always accompany human experiences. They are the source of all civilization,” he said. “One can open up easily to others and one can dialogue more easily with people of other religions when one understands their religion.”
The president urged teachers to go beyond teaching content and assist young people in character development. Their responsibility, he said, is to "guide and to protect the spirit and the sensibilities that are not yet completely formed, that have not yet attained maturity, which are searching, which are still fragile and vulnerable."