2006-10-02 17:07:36 · 17 answers · asked by ckrug 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Many schools do. In my school we learned about the Christian God, Allah, the Greek/Norse/Hindu gods, and a few other religious ideals. It is important to know how mythology shaped the ancient world and the Christian ideals were very important to development for a long time.
2006-10-02 17:10:26 · answer #1 · answered by somedays_lovely_dreamer 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
First, our country is NOT based on the god of the bible or any other god. The founders were very much products of the enlightenment -- the age of reason -- when people were throwing off the yoke of oppression laid on them for centuries by kings claiming divine right to rule from god, and by churches wielding power over politics. That's why the founders were so adamant that there would be no establishment of religion by the government -- this is a secular government, based on reason and what they considered the inherent rights of human beings, not on any authority from the bible.
Schools, during social studies or history classes, can teach about the existence of all RELIGIONS, and what their beliefs are -- that includes christianity. They should not, however, show any preference for one religion over another, nor should they comment on the validity or non-validity of any of the religions discussed. Teaching students one religion is valid or true and all the others not true is de facto endorsement of a particular religion over all others, something the founding fathers were very specific should not be a function of our government in any way.
CHURCH is for you to learn about your religion -- not public school. How would you like it if the school decided to teach that Buddishm is the one true religion over all others -- you would be angry, right? So how do you think the Buddhists (and muslims and shintoists and even the catholics and other christians who have different beliefs from you) feel when a school tries to promote YOUR particular religion? It's not acceptable.
2006-10-03 00:16:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Schools aren't supposed to teach about ANY gods, nor do they except in places where know-it-all busybody Christian fundamentalists stick their noses where they have no right to be. And by the way, this country was NOT founded on the BIble or ANYTHING to do with it; it was founded on the principles of democracy, freedom, and separation of church and state, which means we DON'T HAVE a "state religion." If you want to live in a country ruled by religion I would recommend moving to one of the Islamic theocracies where all law is based on the Koran!
2006-10-03 00:16:36 · answer #3 · answered by backinbowl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Schools teach about all gods -- including the god of the bible. Christianity is not being victimized in any way. Teachers and students can pray ALL THEY WANT in school. In order to support this basic right of freedom of religion, a teacher can not subtly or overtly endorse christian practice (or any other practice) by engaging the class in prayer, quiet time, etc. It's VERY important to understand this.
2006-10-03 00:13:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
That statement is false so I don't know what you mean. If you are referring to Greek mythology and stuff taught in schools, many schools also teach of the times of Jesus and of Biblical mythology (just get into a spirituality course). They do not preach that any religion is true or false of course because it would be wrong. If your talking about public schools (never been so i don't know a whole lot about them), it is a separation of church and state. From what I understand, they can't teach about any current religion like Islam or Judaism as well as Christianity.
2006-10-03 00:14:19 · answer #5 · answered by Serious 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because then they wouldn't be teaching.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of this country, had this to say about the United States being founded on Christianity in the treaty of Tripoli.
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
2006-10-03 00:14:12 · answer #6 · answered by zatcsu 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
um ... you mean like mythology? Zeus, Hercules and such? you're right ... the Bible god should be presented as a myth along side of Zeus, Poseidon and the Minotaur.
however, I don't think that's what you meant so my advice would be that you take a comparative religion class where the god of the Bible is studied as well as the deities of other religions.
2006-10-03 00:18:08 · answer #7 · answered by nebtet 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Religion and history are intertwined. My school did discuss Christianity a little bit, but with relevance to history (Crusades, Rome, American Colonization, Splitting of the Church in England, France's loyalty to the Papalcy). But we covered the other religions too and the historic relevance of each one. You can talk about religion in schools without preaching it.
2006-10-03 00:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by I like Chinese food 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the mention of other gods is for historical or social science purposes, not religious.
Religion (regardless of whatever faith) does not belong in public schools. If anyone wants to teach religion, do it at home or in church.
2006-10-03 00:18:49 · answer #9 · answered by ravencadwell 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because the founding fathers lived in a time when people imprisoned, beheaded and hung on public gallows in Europe because they belonged to the wrong faith... that is, the faith being currently followed by the ruling party.
And they were Deists, not Christians.
2006-10-03 00:27:30 · answer #10 · answered by February Rain 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋