An opinion poll carried out in seven high schools of the municipality of Chisinau shows the students want religion to be taught in schools, but most of them want it to be an optional subject. The survey “Yes or No to religion in schools” was conducted by the Parliament of the Youth, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on May 26, Alina Blagiu, a representative of the Conservative faction in the Parliament of the Youth, said that this subject becomes more politicized. “We, as defenders of the interests of the youth, wanted to find out the position of the young people and what religion in schools means for them. In conclusion, I can say that there are many young persons who want to study the history of religions, to find out where religion comes from and what the people believe in,” Alina Blagiu said. Asked if they are for or against teaching religion in schools, 55% of the students said they are in favor as they want to broaden their horizons. Those who are against said the school program is overloaded and they do not want new subjects. Over 75% of the students consider that religion should be an optional subject. 86% of the respondents want to study the History of Religions, while 7% - the Basis of Orthodoxy. “Religion is a personal culture. It makes you trust yourself and believe in a better future,” said the representative of the Green faction Alexandru Baicev. The poll was carried out in the high schools “Mircea Eliade”, “Gheorghe Asachi”, “Orizont”, “Spiru Haret”, “Igor Vieru” and “Liviu Rebreanu” during two days. There were questioned 850 ninth-twelfth graders. The results of the survey will be submitted to the Ministry of Education, the Government and the Parliament. The Parliament of the Youth is a project implemented by the Institute of the Governing Youth in partnership with the Parliament and the Association for Participative Democracy, with the financial support of two embassies.