Religion

Protestant religious education at the Nelson Mandela School involves:

discovering the world’s wealth of religious and cultural traditions
a chance to develop positive images for the soul
support in all questions relating to God and the world

Listening, singing,
asking, hearing,
fantasizing and telling,
marvelling, guessing
and understanding
that the world is much bigger
than what we see.

This could be taken as the motto of the religious education programme the protestant church is offering all students at our school, irrespective of their denomination. Children tend not to shy away from the big existential questions:

Where does the world come from?

Why do people suffer?

What happens after death?

Where can I place my trust?

How should I act?

Religious Education

In dealing with these questions, religious education offers an environment where these questions are taken seriously rather than being dismissed, an environment that fosters a culture of listening and questioning as opposed to providing quick answers, where marvelling at our world is preferred to taking things for granted. Our lessons are based on the Berlin-Brandenburg framework curriculum for Protestant religious education which distances itself from earlier “instructive” teaching methods. The curriculum now promotes a circumspect, inquisitive attitude which explores the following five central issues:

Learning about God – learning about people – learning about Jesus Christ – learning about responsible behaviour – learning about the different forms of belief and manifestations of religion.

The teachings favoured by other religions, ethical belief systems and world views are considered with respect and mindfulness. In practice, coming from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, the students often tend to integrate these teachings into the lessons themselves. In this way, our students learn that mutual recognition and tolerance form the basis of all dialogue and debate.

Further information and the framework curriculum are available at:
http://www.ekbo.de/religionsunterricht

In Practice

Religious Education (RE) involves set rituals, such as celebrations and conversation circles with arranged centres that help the students practice listening, following arguments and formulating their own train of thought.
Meditative exercises, such as imaginary travel, help students centre themselves and discover their inner wealth. While discussing biblical and non-biblical stories, students become aware of their own concept of God and are provided with the opportunity to expand this concept.
Through role play, students develop the ability to empathise with others and identify with them.
Conceptual tasks, rhythmic exercises, singing and other creative methods help students express and internalise what they have learned.
Dependent on time constraints, groups of students will be offered the chance to explore churches, mosques as well as other places where religious life and social contact play a crucial role. Based on the Christian principles of fairness and altruism, social/charitable assignments and projects provide students with the opportunity to become aware of the plight of others. In this context, students also practice their capacity for teamwork and their sense of responsibility vis-à-vis others.

Following in the footsteps of angels, in the Gemäldegalerie

YOU are an angel! Fund-raising campaign for street children in Berlin – Karuna

Registering for Religious Education

If you would like to register your child for this holistic learning opportunity, please do so in writing and give the letter either to the religious education teacher in your class or hand it in at the school office.
Since this is a voluntary learning opportunity, you may also de-register your child. De-registration is, however, only possible at the end of the school year. Should you have any further questions, please contact the religious education teacher.

Arbeitsstelle für Evangelischen Religionsunterricht Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
(Department for Protestant Religious Education, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf)