Would you endorse the opening of public school curricula to the academic / cultural study of religion?

Question

This would include studying the possibility of studying comparative global religions (trying to include as broad a spectrum as possible) or a single religion in depth.

If the scriptural texts (e.g., the Bible, the Quran) were used, they would be discussed in historical context, and any present day applications would have to have a balanced presentation (no single-source, "this is the truth," endorsements).

These classes could be taught in a history or social studies departments.

And in order to meet the separation of church and state, clergy would be allowed to address the classes and there would be no advocacy for joining a particular religion.

To those who worry about the constitutionality: I don't think it fits with the constitution that we should fail to study the cultural influence of religion, any more than we would fail to study the cultural influence of economics. I'm talking about an academic course, not one that endorses or debunks anything.

I wouldn't advocate having "equal time" given to atheists. The class would include no presumption of the existence of God. Instead it would look at religions as cultural/historic phenomena. It might even be interesting to examine waining religions, like Zoroastrianism or Jainism, to see what caused their rise and later demise.

NORA22000: I actually think that children in churches receive a woeful education in religion. It is geared entirely on indoctination rather than exploration, and including a rainbow of perspectives would expand the students' world view.

I honestly think, though, that the fundamentalist churches would discourage their members from signing up for the class. It would open up too many unanswered questions rather than teaching that there is a single, unquestionable truth.

Answer 1

After we are once again one of the top nations for educating our children, yes, I would consider it at the high school level. It is disappointing to see such ignorance in our adult population on the subject of world religions. But it is also disappointing to see the level of ignorance in the subjects of world geography, world governments, math, science, and lately spelling and grammar. We still have students who are graduating from high school who are illiterate. First things first.

Answer 2

if there were a religion course that covered the aspects/beliefs of all religions, I think that would be wonderful! We already go over Greek & Egyptian mythology but I think a religion course would add more detail, there's also the Native Amer. religions I could have learned a lot more about and a comparitive class would include Norse mythology, Buddhist and Hinduist religions wouldn't seem so 'foriegn' either-I guess every school is different but there was no optional or required class on religion so there was a lot I didn't/don't know about-I think a class (I agree it should be optional, though) on religion would be very useful...
Of course, as long as Christianity is accepted as the main religion of 'the powers that be', I doubt it will ever happen. Isn't gaining knowledge the 'sin' that condemned us all according to the Bible creation story (remember Eve and the apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil)?
(Btw, if you really think about it, doesn't good and evil cover just about everything, including if Eve even knew it was 'a bad thing' to disobey God)

Answer 3

Sure, as long as all religous groups give up their tax sheltered status AND underwrite the costs of all secondary education in the US.

This should help to make up for the lost academic time for subjects that kids need to learn in order to make their way in the world, a world where Chinese and East Indian kids are not learning comparative religious creeds, but calculus, biology, and applied math.

The American kids, with their thorough religious training, can debate the finer points of scriptural differences on their short breaks while swabbing down the toilets at night in the companies where the Chinese and East Indian kids run businesses during the day.

We live in the real world. Religion has gotten completely out of control in our society due to lack of discipline and loss of focus on what is important to help our future generations build and maintain a country. It is a luxury to discourse on arbitrary, dogmatic faith issues, not an essential element of anyone's primary or secondary education.

Many highly moral, responsible, and good (by any set of standards) people have had no formal religious instruction.

Answer 4

Oh definitely! I wish I had been taught such things in public school. What I have seen in K-12 saddened me. My spouse (who's degree is in history) purposely chose to stay away from public teaching (at least K-12) because it is so poltically driven now that it disgusts us both.

I have spent many a night reading books and web pages about what they did NOT teach us in public high school and then the classes I did not have time and/or money to take in college. There are some very good sources out there.

Answer 5

I fully support at least a general overview of the major religions. It is difficult to understand the history of the middle east, for example, without having at least a basic understanding of islam and judaism. I think it is important for kids to learn what these religions are and what they mean in our society. I don't see any reason to use any scriptural texts or have anyone but the teacher give the lesson, though. I think just the basic concept and operation of each religion should be discussed and kids could be directed to further resources if they wanted more info.

Answer 6

Its funny that in history classes we currently have. We learn about all the impressionable idiots in time who commited genocide in the name of a deity or manufactured belief. There are no comparative religions they are all based (3 major) on the same book. Only revised little to meet each sect's selfish and controlling needs. If we were to incorporate religion more into the curriculum it would have to show how humanity has been ****** and manipulated since 1 AD.

Answer 7

Why not? It is already taught in schools. Called evolution and that is a religion. Just does not call itself that but it says there is no God but that we all came about from nothing and evolved to so called intelligent beings. Not sure where the first life is to have come from as it could not be demonstrated that anyone can take nothing and start life from that if there is no God. So why not teach all the religions instead of just one having a monopoly on it?

Answer 8

I went to a magnet high school, and I believe there was a class like that, called the History of Religion. It seemed very intresting,and I almost took it. However, film was more important to me (I'm a film major now) so I took that instead.

I think it would be a wonderfull class for all high schools. Less people would hate other religions if they understood them.

Answer 9

Only if the opposition also had equal time.

In other words, teaching one side of a viewpoint is not education, it is brainwashing. The bible is a book of mythology and allowing people to claim it is based on historical fact is not education, it is a waste of time.

But, if religions want to expose themselves to the scrutiny required to be rightfully considered "education" rather than "brainwashing," no problem.

Answer 10

Firstly, it goes against the Constitution.
However, if the classes were optional ( I could take none), and each was co-taught by someone from that religion and someone not from that religion, it might make sense, but still be unconstitutional. However, how would you prevent the school from having 30 classes on one religion and one on "other"?

Answer 11

Definitely ! Comparative religious Study courses are offered in college and universities, Why not also in in lower level educational facilities! There is no greater gift available to human kind than knowledge,in all Fields. Why limit access?!