Many associations in Spain oppose the teaching of the new subject placed on the curriculum called “Education in Citizenship”, which will soon become compulsory in schools. They oppose it because they consider that it contains a “real risk of ideological indoctrination in schools by whatever government is in office”. For this reason they are drafting a Guide to conscientious objection so that parents will know how to act and what consequences their children might suffer by failure to attend classes in this subject. The associations most actively involved in the campaign against “Education in Citizenship” include the Catholic Confederation of Family Fathers (Concapa), which has issued a communiqué in which “it rejects the indoctrination to which they wish to subject our children”. “We will continue to teach our children – says CONCAPA – that, in respect for all persons and their sexual options, there is only one family: that formed by father and mother and their children. In response to the possibility of creating in children a psychological conflict due to contradictions in their education, we reiterate our right to decide what ought to be their moral formation, having recourse, if necessary, to conscientious objection”. The Catalan Family Group, Professionals for Ethics, Federation of Parents’ Associations and the Person Foundation also recommend conscientious objection to parents. According to Ramón Novella, spokesman of these associations, “the teaching of this subject in schools jeopardizes the fundamental right of parents for their children to receive a religious and moral education in conformity with their convictions”. Benigno Blanco, chairman of the Spanish Family Forum (FEF), in inviting parents to conscientious objection, has remarked that the exploitation of the educational system at the service of the Government’s particular conception of life, reminds us “of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, because it violates freedom of education and the right of families to be responsible for the moral upbringing of their children”.
