An argument for a combined religion and ethics in the National Curriculum for social cohesion

The Basic Education Act 628/1998 (Oikeusministeriö 2010) governs religious education in Finland. This legislation stipulates that the basic curriculum shall include ‘religious education or ethics’ according to the religion/non-religion of three or more pupils. Therefore, exceptions exist within this framework for irreligious pupils and pupils of religions other than the majority Evangelical Lutheran. In practice, this structure serves to reinforce the Lutheran majority, which has a visible effect on the Finnish self-conception, even amongst the relatively secular Nordics.

This paper presents and discusses an argument that religious education curricula benefit from alignment with the historical and contemporary majority religion of a society (taking Finland and the Nordics as examples). It posits that the historical basis for the contemporary ethical framework of a culture ought to be understood in relation to the pre-existing religious frames, and build upon these to ensure practical social cohesion. It also critiques positions that place religious education in opposition to, or as a substitute for, ethics. 

The most pressing issues in developing peaceful and cohesive societies—developing high-trust among citizens, and between citizens and institutions; maintaining a unique and well-defined identity; and stabilising the ethical ‘bottom-line’ of a culture—may be better supported if such alignment were implemented.