Dear editor,

Regarding the April 26 editorial, ``Religious Freedom,'' I agree with the idea that schools should respect students' right to choose their religious will because it's not only against the constitutional freedom of religion but also against educational purposes in many ways.

Even though the Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion in Korea, many schools are still forcing students to participate in various religious events or classes regardless of the student's will.

Schools are the place where students learn how to adjust themselves in a society by following its laws, not just by studying academic subjects. If the school pressures students to attend specific religious services by force, it also violates the law. Therefore, it is not a good educational purpose for students any more.

As we live in a more globalized world, the education which gives limitations on specific areas such as religion should be changed. For better education, schools should take the role of teaching students about respecting ``differences'' among various viewpoints, including religion.

Recently, more and more migrant workers are arriving in Korea and religions are also diversified day by day. Even though schools are established by specific religious foundations, the original purpose of school education is teaching students to learn to live harmoniously with diverse people, not to coerce students to follow limited religious thoughts.

The first ruling of the Supreme Court against a school which violated students' freedom of religion will be a cornerstone. Respecting the student's choice about participating in specific religious events is inevitable.

Instead, it could be a possible solution to give more alternative chances for students who are nonbelievers to choose various extra courses. I think schools should make more efforts to create diversified courses for learning about various religions with more respect.

Kang Young-mi
High school English teacher
Gyeonggi Province
ymk_happy@yahoo.co.kr