6 May 2023 IELTS Discussion Essay on Religion

This IELTS Academic Question Appeared on 6 May, 2023 in India.

Question: Many think that religion should be taught in schools, while others think it should be avoided. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. 

Answer:

There are many who believe that schools should educate students about religion whereas I agree with those who think that it should not be included in the curriculum. 

On the one hand, there could be several reasons for people to argue that religion should be a school subject. Firstly, it may develop tolerance towards individuals of other beliefs. As a result, a lot of communal tension that exists in many nations might start to dissipate. Secondly, it would result in exposure to many scriptures, turning a student into an intellectual. For instance, many scholars claim that they have read religious teachings in order to develop their intelligence.

On the other hand, there are those who opine that it is better to avoid this subject in schools since it may lead to condescension towards other religions. If students are unable to see the logic behind a certain custom, they might look down upon it. For instance, it is usually seen that many people are not able to understand the concept of fasting, and therefore, make fun of it. Also, sometimes, while teaching religion, facts are twisted, which results in the brainwashing of tender minds. This is because usually, instructors add their own viewpoints while imparting knowledge instead of being objective about it.

Finally, I believe that children should be given time to develop their own opinions and critical thinking skills by observing the customs of various religions instead of being imposed with textbooks on religion.

To conclude, it is thought many that religion ought to be a school subject since it can make people tolerant; however, I believe that it should not be included in the school curriculum as religious facts are usually distorted because of the viewpoints of the person teaching it.