name:

Religious Freedom

Information/Instruction of the material for the teacher

The following material is designed for an introductory lesson on the the topic of religious freedom. Students should be able to understand the definition of religious freedom,recognize the ways in which people encounter it in everyday life and reflect on its importance in a diverse society.

The material is designed so that students can work on the topic independently and in small groups. The teacher is only available to answer questions or for class discussions.

Specific learning goals:

Students get to know the definition of religious freedom.
Students are able to connect the laws connected to the topic and understand its meaning.
The students apply the concept of religious freedom to concrete case studies and assess which rights are respected or not.
Students are able to discuss the importance of protecting individual rights in school.

Additional comment on the content of the material:

The material is designed to understand what religous freedom means. How people are connected to it and what does it mean for our environment. Through the material students should get an overview into the topic. Following lessons could focus on consequences and meaning for the society more specifically.

Exercise 1 should give a first introduction in a very extended way to get to know the topic.

Exercise 2/3 should connect the overview and knowledge from no. 1 with the formal laws.

Exercise 4/5 should build upon the knowledge gained and apply it to concrete cases.

Suggested lesson plan for a lesson of 45 minutes

1. Introduction (3 Minutes)

The teacher introducts the topic of the lesson and explains the rules for the students to work on the following material.
The material is at the teachers desk. Students take one sheet after the other. They must finish an exercise before getting the next one.
The order is given by the numbered exercises.

2. Worktime (35 Minutes)

Students work alone or in paired groups.
Teacher helps if needed.

3. Discussion (7 Minutes)

Summarize the ideas from the students on the board, focusing on the question What does religious freedom mean?
Optional solution for a board-summary: answers from exercise no. 2 and 3
Answer lasting questions if needed

Sources:

Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung/bpb (ed.): einfach POLITIK: Lexikon. Autor/inn/en: D.Meyer, T.Schüller-Ruhl, R.Vock u.a./ Redaktion (verantw.): Wolfram Hilpert (bpb). Bonn: 2022. Lizenz: CC BY-SA 4.0 //

Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ). Menschenrecht auf Religionsfreiheit und Weltanschauungsfreiheit. Available at: https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/menschenrecht-religionsfreiheit-weltanschauungsfreiheit (accessed 25 March 2026).

The two case studies of exercise no. 4 were generated with Chat GPT using the following prompt:

Create two short, age-appropriate case studies in simple English about Article 4 of the Basic Law (Germany). One case should adress freedom of belief, the other the undisturbed practice of religion. The texts should be suitable for classroom discussion and not include a direct solution.

name:

Religious Freedom

What is religious freedom?

Religious freedom is an important human right. It means that people can choose their religion and practice it freely. It also means that people can decide not to believe in any religion.

In countries that respect religious freedom, people can openly follow their beliefs. They can pray, celebrate religious holidays, and talk about their religion or ideas with others. Everyone also has the right to change their religion or choose not to have one. No one should be treated unfairly or punished because of their beliefs.

Religious freedom is often protected by laws and constitutions. These laws help people with different beliefs live together peacefully. Religious groups are allowed to build places of worship and organize religious events or celebrations.

However, religious freedom also has limits. People cannot use religion as a reason to harm others or break important laws that protect public safety and the rights of other people.

When people respect different religions and beliefs, it helps create understanding and peace in society. This makes it possible for people with different backgrounds to live together respectfully.

1

Underline three rights people have because of religious freedom in the text.

2

Answer the following questions in 1-2 sentences.

What does religious freedom mean?

What are people allowed to do because of religious freedom?

Can people change their religion?

Give one example of a limit to religious freedom.

name:

Religious Freedom

Laws of religious freedom in Germany

Article 4 of the Basic Law – official English translation

(1) Freedom of faith and of conscience, and freedom to profess a religious or philosophical creed, shall be inviolable.

(2) The undisturbed practice of religion shall be guaranteed.

3

Goal of this exercise is to rewrite the original version in your own words.

Underline important words in the original version.
Use the helpcards to understand difficult words.
Rewrite every paragraph of the article 4 in your own words. It can be whole sentences or short bullet points.
Exchange your ideas with your partner and discuss the meaning of the paragraphs.

name:

Religious Freedom

Helping Cards

inviolable

nobody is allowed to take this right away

freedom

One can do whatever he/she wants. The right to do or believe whatever one want.

conscience

the inner feeling that tells you what is right or wrong

faith

religious belief

compelled

forced

to profess

to openly say or show what you believe

military service involving the use of arms

being a soldier and using weapons

undisturbed

without being stopped or bothered

practice of religion

praying, celebrating, wearing symbols, following religious rules

philosophical creed

a non-religious worldview or belief system

name:

Religious Freedom

4

Read both cases of students facing issues related to religious freedom.

A) Ali is 14 years old and in the 8th grade. He is Muslim and prays every day at specific times. Sometimes one of the prayer times falls during the school break. Therefore, he finds a quiet place in the schoolyard and prays there for a few minutes. Some classmates think it is strange and laugh at him. A teacher says that religion does not belong in school and tells Ali that he is not allowed to pray there. Ali does not understand this because he is not disturbing anyone and only wants to practice his religion.

B) Lea is also in the 8th grade. At her school there is a religious education class. However, Lea and her parents are not religious. They therefore do not want Lea to attend the religion class. Some classmates say to her: You still have to go – it's part of school.

Lea wonders: Is she allowed to decide whether she wants to take part in religious education?

5

1. Work with a partner.
2. One reads case A, the other one case B.
3. Write your answers down.
4. Discuss with your partner.

What happened in this situation?
Do you think the situation is fair or unfair? Why?
What rights should Ali/Lea have?
Why might freedom of religion be important in situations like these?

Religious Freedom

In­for­ma­ti­on﻿/In­struc­tion of the ma­te­ri­al for the teacher

What is re­li­gious free­dom?

Laws of re­li­gious free­dom in Ger­ma­ny

Hel­ping Cards

Religious Freedom

Lizenzhinweis

Information/Instruction of the material for the teacher

What is religious freedom?

Laws of religious freedom in Germany

Helping Cards