More than 60 per cent of the parents and school students in Bulgaria support the introduction of religion lessons in schools, an Alpha Research agency poll said.
 
The majority of those who took part in the poll said as quoted by mediapool.bg that the classes should be optional.

Nearly 20 per cent of the parents and students disapprove of religion classes, mediapool.bg said. They fear that the classes will only burden children without being useful for the resolution of real problems.

Most of the people who took part in the poll said that the classes should be only informational and should teach children history and philosophy of world religions. The lessons may give information on virtues and religious tolerance.

Religion classes can decrease major problems of young people, such as drug addiction, aggression and participation in religious sects, mediapool.bg reported.

Parents are unsure whether trained teachers or theologians should lead the classes.