Religion in Schools?

I know I'm getting into this discussion a bit late, but all romantisism aside, I voted "No."

I believe that public schools should not attempt to teach religion simply because the issues are just too many to teach well.
If a family wishes to send their child to a school run by a specific denomination or religion, fine. Let them, it's their choice.

Now as far as schools being a place for learning, I agree wholeheartedly. But when school years are only 180 days long, how much real teaching on a subject so vast is really going to be done? Not to mention the fact that if adopted by any schools, the courses would probably only be one semester long. You know, one of those "optional" classes which simply fills out the credit hour requirements for the near to graduation kiRAB.

My son has so many required courses he's lucky to even sneek in Orchestra! He just doesn't have time to take Humanities classes (which is where I'm sure a comparitive religion class would fall). His school actually requires all students to take and pass driver's education before graduation. He has only seven class perioRAB and they are filled with Math, Science, History, English, PE, Orchestra and an Alternative Language. That's it..he has no time for optional classes, let alone a lunch or even study hall. He gets ten minutes before Orchestra to shove as much food (or what they call food) down his gob as he can, while tuning his instrument.

College is where kiRAB are going to find "comparitive religion" classes, and where I feel it belongs. The concepts and differences are so vast that high school kiRAB will simply turn off before the first ten minutes have passed.
I took several comparitive religion classes in college and I feel I learned a lot more there than I ever would have in high school.
 
So what's wrong with teaching about religion's part in history in public schools?



So what's wrong with teaching about religion's part in politics in public schools?



Simply because you do not believe in it (nor do I) does not mean it consists of "nothing." If the class about religion was teaching all sorts of religion that would not be unconstitutional as long as no religion was being favored over the others.



See above.
 
Coming at it from a practical perspective, I fail to see how one can adequately teach about, say, the Crusades, the Lutheran Reformation, or even the Shi'a and Sunni split without discussing religion. Even further, a competent course in Music must talk about the early Christian Church service to understand Medieval music. Furthermore, what if one wants to study philosophy, again kinda hard to do that without teaching about religion. What of literature? Political Science (hey even if you don't like them, you at least have to mention the 'Christian Coalition' and 'Evangelical Christians')?

These are simply pratical concerns which take Jimbo's comments to a whole new level of importance. Ignorance is the least of our problems if schools were to remain completely silent about religion.

Clarification Note: Notice how religion is to be dealt with only insofar as it impacts the subject matter, and how I argue for its use WHERE necessary for a student to properly understand certain concepts. Religion is a fact of life and of history. It exist and has been responsible for momentous paradigm shifts, therefore it should be reflected in our studies.
 
Blast! Guy! You've pointed out a deficiency of the original question--as well as its diverse interpretations.

I read my own agenda into the question--"Is it OK to teach ABOUT religion in public schools?"

But, strictly interpreted, the question really is about teaching religion in public schools. I am opposed to prayer in pubic schools, the whole religious-indoctrination enchilada--but I very much favor teaching ABOUT religion in public schools. From the strict interpretion standpoint I've got to change my vote--but probably the system won't allow that--and say "No."
 
Religion shouldn't be taught at school just because some people believe their religion is the right religion. If religion was taught at school, ALL RELIGION, than many people would get offended by other religious zealots who think their religion is better (or right) than others. When people ask to be taught religion at school, they're probably thinking only their religion. They dont seem to think of other people's religious beliefs.

Religion and SChool should be separated.

And for those who think this is breaking their first amendment. you're wrong your freedom isnt become taken away. Actually you're the one trying to break the amendment for others who do not believe what you believe.
 
To a point. But we are not discussing instruction and indoctrination in religion as such, but just knowledge about them. People are religious, and to only ever have knowledge on one religion, the one 'taught' at home, can and is very dangerous. The point of education is in the end to educate, and religion is an important part of society.
 
I think you figured out the problem. Religion exists in our society, we can't deny it. And to try to would just be foolish. Some parent is going to argue that they are teaching their kid about religion and the kid actually looked at it on his own (oh no, actual curiousity and outside-school research with an open mind? horrors) and discovered to not believe the religion the parents preach to their kid. They fail to realize that the child's mind is not theirs. My parents told me about their religious beliefs but told me there were many other religions and that they respected my right to believe what I wanted to. They told me if I found a religion and wanted to go to church, they would drive me. I have looked around and pretty much found that I don't need an external answer for the meaning of the world. I have no need to believe something else created me. I don't have a problem admitting that "I don't know" and that no where in any religion could I find any real proof, it was just belief. And I didn't have that belief. The problem is that many (not all, I would suspect this isn't true for many posters here) people just believe what they are told at face value and don't question anything. I will ask as many questions in school as I need to before I truly understand it. But I also understand that I will not be able to understand everything in the vastness of the universe and life. I will search for an answer, but I also know when to admit that I don't know the answer and having other people tell me the answer with no evidence or experience to back it up will not work with me.
 
I don't mind about offending other people, just so long as you are an equal opportunity offender and offend theyself... after all no one ought to make fun of another unless they make fun of themselves.
 
It is not like the old days when religion. Was simple but now there are so many of them it does not work for some and that is why it should be left out of the schools.
 
Nothing, I already noted it is currently taught as historical observation, historical influence in politics as part of political or social science. It'a already OK, and I agree it's OK, and we agree.


I disagree, but it's not necessary to agree on this point. Knowledge requires knowing what's true (reality), and any part of a religion that happens to coincide with reality may be true, but such things are not true BECAUSE of the religion, so they aren't really part of the religion per se. Any part of a religion that does not coincide with reality, is false, and is essentially "nothing". Which we know is most of what religion is.
God says it's wrong to steal. What does this mean? It's just worRAB.



That's the relevant point we diverge on.
It's improbable that a course could be devised that covers all religions we know of, and covers them equally, and would still be a useful course. If that criteria could not be met, it would violate the constitution. Futher, the interperetation is still seperation of church and state, not co-existence, equally distributed or not.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. There is no rational justification for teaching a religion to a minor, that is, teaching a minor about things that don't exist, as if they exist and are correct, without justification. That's lying, it's not knowledge. Adults are taught in Universities, if they so choose (state U is funded in part by taxes aren't thye?), all about theology, which is the science of religion. But to teach A religion is just irresponsible.

-Mach
 
ok i might change my mind about teaching religion in school

but how do u propose teaching religion in school. would it all be about respect and how we should teach respect other people religion, or what the religion beliefs are, or the origins, the influences of the religion or just a combination of all of that. would it be mandatory or an elective?

u have persuaded me to listen to u :xbanghead
 
I would have to disagree with most here. I think that religon should certainly be taught in schools. Specifically, I think the larger religions should be taught (perhaps christianity, islam, and some combined unit for the eastern religons).

The entire point of sending young people to school is to prepare them for life and pass to them the knowledge necessary to suceed in life. The majority of our nation (90+%) professes a belief in some god, and most are either christian or muslim.

Once these kiRAB get out of school, they WILL be intereacting with these people. They almost certainly WILL be in a position where sombody who believes in god, and is either a christian or a muslim, will make decisions regarding that persons promotion, salary, etc....

By failing to properly educate our children regarding religion, we have essentially placed those who do not come from a religous home at a distinct disadvantage. Religion plays a relatively important role in the thoght processes of believers. A good understanding of the religon in question can only help as far as understanding the thought processes of those who DO believe.

Religion is somethign that profoundly effects our culture and our nation. We RIGHT NOW have a president who claims he started a war because "god told me to". How can there possibly be a downside to teaching kiRAB the beliefs of the major religons? If they end up as believers, you have not reallyl lost anything, and if they do not, they have still learned valuable lessons that will help them suceed in life.


those who have fought so hard to keep religon entirely out of our schools have performed a disservice to our children. Whether you belive in religon or not, you would be hard pressed to argue that it has not been the major driving force behind cultural attitudes and (in many cases) political motivation for the majority of recorded history.
 
I agree with JP. It should be taught, from a purely academic stand point, where applicable in teaching history, social science, etc. However, public schools should not be a forum for religious instruction.
 
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