educationitaly.org

In the year of 2003 Adel Smith, a Muslim Leader complained that in the classrooms of his children crucifixes are displayed. It happened in Italy, in one of the towns in the central part of the country, in the Abruzzo region – L’Aquilla. Mr. Smith asked at first to place the quote from the book of Koran next to the crucifixes. This was refused. So he complained, the crucifixes then should be taken away. Neo-nazi threats followed, and Adel was put under the protection of police.
 
Commenting the situation, Cardinal Ersilio Tonini considered that removing the symbol of people’s values, cultural and religious, is not right, even though it offends someone. The judge upheld the complaint. Pope John Paul II thought such actions can lead to the conflicts.
 
In 1920 there was a law made that all the public schools in Italy have to possess crucifixes in the classrooms. Not every school followed it. But such law existed. This law was upheld again in 2006. Religion is a considerable part of Italian culture, so serious debates started.
 
Since the 1980-s Catholicism was not an official Italian state religion. But the Council of State thought that the main principles of Italian culture have their origin in Christianity. Its values inspired Italian Constitution and a peaceful living together.
 
Catholic religious education is required since the early age. But you can opt out of it. When kids are 2 years old, their parents choose some religious education as pre-school. There is an alternative in the way of a non-religious class. Children there study human rights, legends and myths of different countries. They are not preparing for Catholic confirmation.
 
The laws dating 1884, 1929 (the Lateran Treaty) and 1985 state that Catholicism should be taught in all public schools as it is a part of Italian history and culture. But it doesn’t mean everyone is obliged to study it. The freedom of conscience is respected in the country. Everyone has the right to choose. Request the school authorities for making a choice what religion to study. There should be no religious discrimination.
 
In 2006 Adel Smith was sentenced to spend eight months in prison. His mother was in the hospital; there was a crucifix in her room. Mr. Smith asked the hospital authorities to remove it. It was refused, and Adel threw the crucifix out of the window.