Are We Teaching Too Much Religion?

Some time ago, I walked into an argument among several Catholic religious educators, both lay and religious, where the question was whether too much time was being dedicated to religious instruction. Before you do a double-take and ask yourself: Did I read that correctly? And, once you realize you did, you might wonder: Why would anyone think this? How can anyone argue against too much religious instruction, especially in a Catholic school or parish religious education program?

This collective group had come to the consensus that there was enough time already spent on religious instruction. They argued that the application of the religion textbook series, weekly mass attendance, adoration of the blessed sacrament, and visits by the Pastor and Associate Pastor were enough and nothing more was needed to form the student in the Catholic faith. This entire sequence reminded me of the first time I read Frank Sheed’s short but, in my opinion, profound book, Are We Really Teaching Religion, where he explained that the aim of teaching religion is that Catholics coming out of our schools should emerge with a tremendous devotion to Christ, Our Lord with an awareness of Him, a considerable knowledge of his life and personality, and a desire to increase that knowledge.[1]

It was evident that these educators were very comfortable in affording students any further religious education other than what was already provided. Worse, not one person among this group expressed an urgency to help students develop a sincere and active relationship with Jesus Christ and guide them toward a path to heaven. The entire experience was discouraging to witness because a central tenet of their position was to avoid angering parents about requiring more religious instruction for their child. Or worse, be exposed to a particular doctrinal teaching of the Catholic Church that parents may be vehemently opposed to.

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