Interpretations of spiritual and moral education of schoolchildren and the teaching of orthodox culture at school

The study of the foundations of the spiritual and moral culture of the peoples of Russia at school is enshrined in the legislation on education. In this regard, interpretations of the spiritual and moral education of schoolchildren, its understanding are closely related to the conditions of teaching Orthodox culture (OPK) and other religious cultures at school. The correct understanding of spiritual and moral education provides for the upbringing and education of children on the basis of a certain spiritual and moral culture. In a Russian school — on the basis of Orthodox, Islamic, Buddhist culture, the culture of Judaism as chosen by the pupil's family. The expansive interpretation of spiritual and moral education and the study of the basics of spiritual and moral culture of the peoples of Russia (ODNKNR), which the wording of the law allows, may lead to a reduction or even elimination of the teaching of Orthodox culture. The negative consequences of this interpretation have now manifested themselves in the elimination of the possibility of teaching Orthodox culture in grades 5-9, where such teaching until recently was not guaranteed, but was possible. The article shows that the construction of a "single subject" on the basics of spiritual and moral culture of the peoples of Russia instead of teaching religious cultures and civil (secular) ethics at the choice of the schoolchildren's family leads to profanation of spiritual and moral education and even its ideologisation on the basis of philosophical humanism, contrary to the educational needs of citizens, families of schoolchildren, in the interests of individuals and groups who want to reduce the influence of religion and the Church in Russian society and at school, primarily Orthodoxy. Such a "single subject" is imposed on all schoolchildren without alternative, which leads to violations of the freedom of conscience and the worldview choice of citizens, and violates the preferential right of parents to educate their children. The defects of such an approach are shown on the example of curricula and manuals developed on a "single subject". The conclusion that it is necessary to restore the possibility of teaching Orthodox culture in grades 5-9, as well as to consolidate the guarantees of studying Orthodox culture and other religious cultures of the peoples of Russia by choice in Russian schools was substantiated.