should all religions be taught in schools even including christianity?

Question

i am also wondering why christians feel the need to want the schools to teach a book of fairy tales to kids? its already been banned from many public schools in the north east america after all

Answer 1

as quoted from another poster:

I like the approach one school here in Indianapolis took. The Creationists pushed to get alternatives to Evolution in the school. The school agreed to teach Creationism in their school. But what they did is create an elective about how the world was created, and taught not only what the Bible says, but also how Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Eastern, and multiple other cultures believed the world was created. When they found out what was being taught, the religious right went nuts, and demanded that they stop teaching it. It seems their problem wasn't with evolution, it was with any theory that didn't match theirs.

Answer 2

I don't believe that it is a book of fairy tales. (You have the right to your own opinion.) It all really goes back to when this country was founded and no one seems to be paying much attention to that. This great land was based on the ideas of God and religion. So, to answer your question I don't feel that religion necessarily has to be taught (because there are now so many in this country) but I don't think that they should be banned from the schools either.

Answer 3

A "book of fairy tales"? C'mon. The Bible is, if nothing else, an amazing historical document, documenting the lives of peoples who lived centuries ago.

Even if you don't believe in God, there is also a philosophy of life attached to Christianity, and is a solid addition to students studying the works of Plato, Descartes, or Nietzche. This philosophy was a huge influence for the early American thinkers like Jefferson, Monroe and Franklin. Why not present it?

The question to me is: that it's OK to present YOUR point of view, but not mention other's. Biology teachers can't mention that scientific research increasing points to life that was created, not evolved. Physics teachers can't mention that the latest science suggests on outside force that created the universe, or that the odds of a planet capable of supporting life would be steep even in a million universes.

Yes, we should include Christianity in discussing religion. It is the worlds largest religion, is the largest charitable force in the world, has had more impact on life in the world than any other philosophy (particularly in Europe and the Americas). I would say that's pretty important.

Answer 4

The Bible used to be the only book of education used - gee haven't we gone down hill in this country! I personally don't think we should have public schools, they are too much like communistic education systems, telling children exactly what they can and cannot know and learn; they are test oriented as to determine if a child is capable or not; and that is very misleading as to a child's true abilities; it has devalued the necessity of family; and the "school" as we know it today with it's bells, and quick switching of rapid taught subject matter was to prepare people for factory work, (my parents are teachers) and now that we do not offer sufficient factory work, feel that we should have a major shut down of the system as it is and return it to a community based learning system, but that would do away with sports and we couldn't have that! They both retired this year prior to their time as they see more communistic means and measures being mandated by the federal government and no real educational value to the students.

Answer 5

When I was in middle school (a long, long, time ago...lol)in Social Science class we did learn about most of the different religions. We learned about the big three, Hindu, Buddhism, and a couple more that I can't remember. We learned the beliefs, their gods, what their canon was, their holidays. Pretty much everything about each religion. I think because of that I am more open minded today then I would have been if I didn't learn all that way back when. It taught me early on to be tolerant of other people's beliefs and not to discriminate just because they have a different faith. So I think it is a great idea, and that is coming from personal experience.

Answer 6

If you teach one religion in a public school, you should teach all... HERE however is the problem: you would have to teach each religion from an objective viewpoint, as a matter of history, not a matter of faith. (Ok, before all the other Christians in the world try to stone me to death, hear me out).

Jesus never forced anyone to hear him. They came and listened, or they didn't. The fact that Jesus was a great teacher and had a huge following is a matter of historical fact. His messages were generally "Love God and love those around you." That in and of itself is a universal truth and should be taught in schools.

Jesus didn't force people to believe in him. They heard and believed, or they didn't. However if they don't hear at all, they won't believe.

IF they hear from any source about Jesus, the starting with the historical Jesus, is as good as any... it may pique their curiosity and make them want to learn more... it may not... but at least they will have had the opportunity.

Answer 7

Christians dont want Gd in the public schools, they want Christianity, and Christianity alone, in the public schools.

I too believe that all religions should be taught in the schools, but if and only if *I* am the one who creates the curriculum and if and only if how *I* teach about all faiths is what gets taught. Somehow i just dont think Christians would like what i teach, and i know i would not like what they teach about Judaism.......

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I don't believe that Christianity or any other religion should be taught at school. That is something personal that you should teach your children- if you believe- and that is what church is for. School is to learn how to read and speak and do math and learn about the history of our world. Those things make our children smart and that is what school is for.
If you wish for your child to learn about religion in school, then you can send them to a private school.
That is just my opinion.
But I also disagree with everyone trying to take out "in God we trust" that has been around for many many years and it isn't right to take it out. I also believe that if a student wants to pray, then that is their right, we do live in America.

Answer 9

Who would pick which religions? The trouble is, the Fundies only want THEIR religion taught in school.

And yes, the Bible is a pack of fairy tales.

Answer 10

Only at the college level where it is the choice of the person taking it. For anyone under 18 it should not be in their schools.. teach the basics; we seem to have a hard enough time with that as it is.