Are you sure that you want religion taught in public school?

Question

How long will it be before the following happens?:

A Catholic teacher tells a class that the Catholic Church is the only One True Church.
A Methodist teacher makes the class pray for people to learn to accept gay people and let gays marry.
A Wiccan teacher teaches that there are two deities: God and Goddess.
A Baptist teacher tells the class that all Catholics are going to hell for following the False Prophet.
A Muslim teacher tells the class that the Bible is false, and they should read the Quran.
An Atheist teacher tells the class that Jesus is a myth, and it's not open to debate.

Note that we're not talking about a comparative religion class where all perspectives are taught openly and in an unbiased manner.
We're talking about a teacher expliclty promoting their religion as fact. It would happen, and I think everyone here knows it.

You cannot possibly believe that 200,000 school teachers, each with their own strong opinions, would be able to be unbiased.

The only way to avoid public school classrooms from becoming a religious and political battleground is for the government to step in and come up with a uniform way of teaching religion… which would mean that the government would put itself in a position of authority over what religious dogma is included and in what manner.

Are you SURE you would want to see that? Think about that.
Isn’t it better for public schools to be religiously neutral territory?

Answer 1

I want silent prayer to be permitted in school. I want children to have the right to gather together in worship with other children who want to worship the Lord. I think religion should be taught by the parents and members of the church.

Answer 2

I am a Junior High History teacher, and I understand your concerns.

But...one cannot understand history unless you understand the cultures of the people and history. And, of course, religious beliefs play a huge role in culture.

I try to present the religions I am required to teach about, and practices connected to them, in an accurate manner, and I let my students decide what they think/believe.

I also find myself saying quite often, "This is what Muslims believe," or "This is what Catholics believe," so that it is never assumed that the students must believe it too.

There should be more done to prepare public school teachers for teaching about world religions in a fair, respectful, and accurate way. However, religion must and should be taught.

Last note: if a teacher teaches religion in the ways you listed, I assure you parents would be calling the school demanding information. Happens all the time, even when the teacher is being fair.

Answer 3

If parents realize that the course is a historical course on religion in history then what's the harm.
Currently many many teachers change historical facts to a certain agenda set out by their teacher union bosses. Scientific fact is routinely modified and language altered to present a certain perspective and political agenda.

It is laughable that the liberal elite talk separation only with other citizens interests. Their own political cronies they protect like pit-bulls.

If we were truly an "open" society; information and ideas would not cause fear for the liberal elite. Currently, they are very very afraid of religion, faith, or Christian of ALL denominations.

We just might have a better answer then they would allow to be discussed.

Answer 4

The technical knowledge children need is 1) how to think logically (including mathematics), and 2) proper use of language, especially how words take on highly specific definitions within discrete fields of inquiry. Given this symbolic and symantic undrestanding, children should be able to learn all other technical knowledge, and the important relationships between feilds and ideas. Of course, arts and physical education are extremely important, but not being considered here.

I think that comparitive religion is highly scewed. Unsupported or outdated theories are mainstays here (one clear example is the Aryan Invasion Theory, now totally without support). I think that a student with the training above should be able to look philosophically at the texts and principles of differing belief systems and easily judge them for consistancy and explanatory power. If schools were not mere "minimum knowledge for a useful citizen" assembly lines, and taught critical thought, we'd all be much better off. Of course, this would become a huge threat to sound bite politics, so it would be difficult to implement.

Answer 5

I would like for the freedom for everyone to be able to worship (or not) in public schools. Nothing has to be on display, nothing has to be represented, but the holidays should be recognized and the children should have the right to be able to discuss their religions and their cultures with one another. Wars start from a lack of understanding and a lifetime of predijuice and the war mongers (who have ALWAYS been political in nature) control any govenrment funded public institution and so all you atheist morons come along squalking like chickens about stupid christmas trees, half moons and manorah's and taking them away causes a sense of seperation and alienation that brings about the perfect atmospheres for conflict in that no one ever talks to anyone else about their feelings or thier beliefs or why they have them.

You atheists are just the grown up kids that were deprived of some big deal, something, as kids and now you're the grown up religion monsters trying to get your power back by using one sided jaded reasoning to work your own means to an end without resoect for anyone or anything else and it PISSES ME OFF!

In times like these, where madness runs rampid throughout religious cultures... Tolerance and understanding beginning with the YOUTH, beginning in the SCHOOLS with the innocent minds that have not had a chance to be influenced by the generations of hatred inforced by their parents. THere should be religious teaching in schools because silence and distance causes the distraction needed for everyone to go offinto their corners and brood and hate while the atheists clap and cry victory because they don't have to watch a christmas play or look at a star of david or an islamic celebration, meanwhile... the world continues to get blown up and ignorance and intolerance kills more and more.

Religion and the religious will not just go away EVER... why not teach tolerance where learning and interaction and social skills begin? For the greater good... YOU SELFISH LINEAR ANAL IDIOTS!

Answer 6

I just think that schools shouldn't say ANYTHING about any religion. That way no one gets offended and you go on with your studies. If you go to school to argue about religion then maybe you shouldn't be going to school in the first place. School should be for learning not a religious battleground. But in truth there are too many religions/beliefs out there that no matter what the government does or says...it cant be there in the classrooms every second of every day monitoring what the teachers say.

Answer 7

I would pay good money to have any child I brought in to the world taught at an independent school, promoting independent thinking.
However, the religious factions of this nation still have all the 'good' money, so options become limited.
I do not expect Teachers to be so ethical as to be unbiased, it is a true misnomer, but I would like to think that, in the future, Children will be taught with far more respect and openness as befits their potential to make this world a place worth living in...

Answer 8

i believe sorry for you. you're so busy examining each and every thing which you have missed the factor all at the same time. Christianity is approximately faith. Hebrews a million:11 says faith is the substance of issues not considered. while the bible grew to become into taught in college little ones have been taught morals and appreciate and all of the different remarkable issues that have long previous to the wayside. i won't be in a position to assert that I understand each and every thing concerning to the bible the two, yet I even have in my view felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit interior of my soul and that i be responsive to indubitably that God is real. consistent with danger you're able to attempt to have an open concepts and supply the Bible a great gamble.

Answer 9

No. Religious education belongs in the church. If it ends up in the classroom, then we will end up with a state religion which is devoid of Christ---Christless Christianity. This will be the objective if the Antichrist. Evolution should not be taught either---leave it for college where a student can elect to study it or something else. The study of evolution in the public school system has no effect on future of the world---it is just not important to the education of our children. Therefore, the common sense thing to do is to prohibit the teaching of both religion and evolution in public schools. If Christians or other religious groups desire to have after school clubs on campus as well as theoretical science groups, then let them have them, but keep both of these outside of the main curriculum.

Answer 10

Hey, you took the words right outta my mouth!

I agree with you all except for the part about Methodists, Athiests, & Wiccans; they are right.

They are the only ones teaching tolerance for minorities (Females, Homosexuals, Non-Extremists), which is a real issue in this country.

That being said, though, I don't think that it should be taught in public schools except as an elective course.

Answer 11

well, it's been taken out...now they can teach what ever they want and nothing can be said about it.....I don't believe in Evolution, but now it's taught, That among other ideal's that I don't agree with. Tell me, what was so wrong with teaching the kids to love, to serve others, to be honest, to honor your parents (teacher's). What was wrong with teaching them not to steal or lie? To say it's okay to pray if you feel nervous before a test, or if you're scared for whatever reason....now kids can't even do that....I don't think religion is out of schools, just Christianity. If you're a Wiccian, that's cool to talk about. If you're gay or Muslim you can talk about that too. Just don't, what ever you do, talk about Jesus in a positive way or you're be expelled or an outcast. (unless you're atheist, then you can mention Jesus, because you don't believe).....the question has already been answered....it's already out of school's.