"Science and faith are two sides of the same coin": this is how a high school in Palma tries to attract Religion students

PalmaThe start of the school year at the IES Llorenç Villalonga in Palma, the center chosen to implement the new and questioned Excellence Baccalaureate in Mallorca, has added a new debate. The Religion department has distributed a two-page document among the students and their families to promote the subject, in which it is stated that it serves to "humanize and complement the academic learning of the public school" and that it "unmasks the fallacious division of subjects between science and humanities". The text, which also argues that science and faith are "two sides of the same coin, two wings of the human spirit", has aroused suspicions in the educational community due to the terms in which it defines public education and the rest of the academic disciplines.

The circular, of 16 points, argues the reasons for taking Catholic Religion and Morality (one hour per week), accompanied by a form from the head of studies to request a change of the "alternative" subject option. Among the arguments, there is also the promise of a "small foray into Hebrew". The document breaks down the value that the subject theoretically brings to the post-compulsory stage and enters into pedagogical, emotional, and linguistic aspects that go beyond the usual curriculum of the subject.

In addition to the controversy over the theological content, the distribution of the campaign itself has caused a stir for organizational reasons. The promotional flyer has been distributed widely along with an official document titled 'Request for change of elective subject' for the current 2026-2027 School Year, issued by the institute's own head of studies.

The situation has caused both nerves and laughter in equal measure among members of the educational community. According to authorized sources in the education sector who spoke to this newspaper, "all centers offer it [Religion] and families choose it in May-June. Once the school year has started, changes are exceptional and must respond to highly justified reasons." The issuance of the form to encourage the transfer of students to the Religion list once the lists and schedules are closed represents, according to the same sources, an unprecedented organizational irregularity to favor a specific subject.

Sciences and humanities, a "fallacy"

One of the most controversial points in the document is number 12, which defends the "integrating character" of the subject and grants it a "backbone and unifying" function within the school curriculum. The document asserts that the Religion subject "continually soars over and unmasks the fallacious division of subjects between science and humanities." This consideration of "fallacy" regarding the separation of scientific and humanistic fields has caused surprise, especially as it is framed within a program that precisely seeks to promote high academic performance. Along these same lines, point 10 maintains that science and faith do not represent a conflict, but rather are "two sides of the same coin, two wings of the human spirit" necessary for the knowledge of reality and the contemplation of truth.

The document also addresses the role that, according to its authors, Religion must have within the general educational system. In point 9, it is stated that, especially in Baccalaureate, the subject is oriented towards the transmission of knowledge with an approach that "seeks to humanize and complement the academic learning of the public school." This formulation has caused some astonishment, as it implies that the ordinary and secular curriculum of the public network requires an external confessional complement to achieve basic humanistic values such as dignity, effort, work, and freedom.

Religion as linguistic growth

Another striking aspect of the promotional document refers to the "cultural and linguistic growth" of the student (point 11). Despite having only one teaching hour per week, the text asserts that the subject enriches the student with Greek and Latin etymologies, knowledge of "related languages (Italian and French, basically)" and even claims that a "small foray into Hebrew in Baccalaureate" will be carried out. The circular thus presents the subject as a matter with an impact that goes beyond religious training and also encompasses cultural, linguistic, and educational dimensions.

The point that closes the document (number 16) attempts to standardize the working environment in the classroom. The text formally commits to "creating a relaxed, cheerful, and positive atmosphere in class", pointing out that it will be done by using "a sense of humor, surprise, and admiration". This disposition is not accessory, but is proposed as the basis of the comprehensive educational process of children in order to seek principles such as "beauty, truth, and goodness and unity as guiding principles that must be sought throughout one's entire life".

The circular concludes by encouraging parents and students to request more information to process the transfer of their file to the confessional subject. "It seems that, if you are not Catholic, you do not work on all these points at the educational center. We still allow having preachers in the centers," state the same authorized sources from the education sector.