Q. Are Waldorf schools religious institutions?
A. Yes. The Waldorf curriculum is shaped by Anthroposophy, which by any normal standards must be termed a religion. Anthroposophy involves prayer, meditation, reverence, holy observances, moral instruction, metaphysical beliefs, etc.; hence, numerous authorities recognize it as a religion.
However, Steiner and his followers call Anthroposophy a science (they say that Anthroposophical procedures let them scientifically study the spirit worlds), so by this definition they can deny that they practice a religion. Also, the presence of Anthroposophy in the Waldorf curriculum is subtle and to a large extent hidden, so once again denial becomes apparently plausible. Finally, Waldorf schools welcome students of all faiths, so they may seem nondenominational.
Despite all this, Anthroposophy is distinctly a religion [see "Anthroposophy - What Is It?"] and this religion is practiced in Waldorf schools [see "Morning Verses - What Are They?"].
Here are two telling statements by prominent Waldorf teachers:
◊ “One question that is often asked is: ‘Is a Waldorf school a religious school?’ ... It is not a religious school in the way that we commonly think of religion ... And yet, in a broad and universal way, the Waldorf school is essentially religious.” [1]
◊ "I think we owe it to our [students'] parents to let them know that [their] child is going to go through one religious experience after another [in our school] ... [W]hen we deny that Waldorf schools are giving children religious experiences, we are denying the whole basis of Waldorf education." [2]
[1] Waldorf teacher Jack Petrash, UNDERSTANDING WALDORF EDUCATION (Nova Institute, 2002), p. 134.
[2] Waldorf teacher Eugene Schwartz, "Waldorf Education - For Our Times Or Against Them?" (transcript of talk given at Sunbridge College, 1999).
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