Is "World Religions" or any other kind of class about Religion ever taught in public schools?

Question

I'm a religious studies major, and I find that my fellow students in college very often know next to nothing about religion, or world religions. I think this is because it is not usually taught in public schools. I don't see why it could not be taught, objectively. What do you think? Does/Did your public school teach World Religions, or anything like that?

Answer 1

in my school I got a more historical look on religions like Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, ect

The problem is that if you get deep in to the theological nature of each religion then you have problems staying objective.

Its best to do that in college when people have matured to a level where they have more ability to think for themselves and reason on their own.

besides you never know when you can get some religiously active teacher who will use the opportunity to bash other religions and promote her own. At least on a college level a Professor is much less likely to do that.

Answer 2

As long as it is taught what other religions believe and teach. There are some high schools that do. I believe that it would clear up a lot of misconceptions that others have about other religions. For example, most American christians think that their brand is the fastest growing in the world, but it is not. Islam (both Sunni and Shi'it) is the fastest growing religion. Also, it would have to be taught that there are other sub-divisions of evry religion (i.e. Christianity has Catholic, Protestant, LDS, etc). It would probably better to have a general view (Budhist, Hindu, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, etc.). Then have other courses on all the Christian and its subdividions.

Answer 3

Not really in the K-12 schools (aside from some light discussion), but you can usually find them in public colleges and universities.

I think that's an appropriate time to bring it in, because the classes are optional, and young adults can learn about religion in ways that wont interfere with anyone's parenting (something you'd have to worry about in the K-12 crowd).

Answer 4

I had a 6 week religious history period in 10th grade world history. Parents became angry because we discussed Taoism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. They just wanted us to discuss Christianity. Religion would not fly in Public schools because parents would have a field about teaching different religions. I actually took a religion course in college. I had choice between, philosophy, religion and I forgot the other course. I loved the religion course but it made me agnostic.

Answer 5

yes , i don't think it can be taught objectively...wish it could

but a former friend of mine[sue] is teaching [world religion]-in the Erie public school..that being said ..she use to do yoga, but now she has gone , over to THE DARK SIDE , OF THE FORCE.

the Erie public schools , are now run by Conservative Christians, and the school board president, , knows president Bush, and attends his rallies. my former friend, is now a Conservative christian....so I'm sure she is teaching world religions....99 % RIGHT WING CHRISTIAN, AND ..00005 % other religions.

the goal of the right wing is to take over every school board and force the Christian religion down children's throats.
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the Erie school system has instituted ....A RIGHT WING DRESS CODE forcing the students to WARE UNIFORMS in guise of GETTING THEM TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SCHOOL..the Erie school district has no DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS,..the same thing happened in Germany...when the government forced students to ware..BROWN SHIRT , UNIFORMS IN 1938.

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all so they have implemented a , separate class policy, of the AMERICAN TALIBAN.. SEPARATING THE BOYS AND THE GIRLS....what next ....THROWING ALL THE GIRLS OUT OF SCHOOL...AND ONLY TEACHING THE BOYS...AND FORCING THE AMERICAN GIRLS TO WARE [BURK AS] TO SCHOOL.

it use to be PUBLIC SCHOOL...NOT SUDO .AMERICAN TALIBAN SCHOOLS

Answer 6

i am in the Scotland UK and our schools are multi cultural ... and although they are based on christian teachings .. they do study other religions in religious education
the children at my kids school would also celibrate to an extent the celibrations of other cultures .. such as tasting indian food ... or making chinese dragons etc
my kids love it !

Answer 7

we glanced over religions in a world social studies class

i don't remember much it's been too long.

Answer 8

i had a biblical literature class in high school. but that was taught objectively.

Answer 9

it has to be taught as history. that whole separation of church and state thing.

Answer 10

would that violate the unconditional law of separating Church and state?