Government education reforms to overhaul religious instruction and modernize curriculum are sparking debate in Romania, concerning the role of religion in schools. “Religious education here indoctrinates, fuelling prejudice against other faiths and against sexual minorities,” said Smaranda Enache, co-president of human rights group Liga Pro-Europa. However, Enache voiced her concern that teaching children to discriminate builds a negative national mentality resulting in the rejection of human differences. The Romanian government proposed education reforms that would introduce alternative to religion classes for pupils. Also under the reform, would include a place for all religious symbols – not just Orthodox icons. Atheists would also be allowed to refused religious education.
