Multiple Religions and evolution should ALL be compusory in schools?

Question

In the interest of people being able to make an INFORMED decision on what they truly believe, I wonder if it should be COMPULSORY for both evolution and a range of belief structures to be taught in ALL schools. This way students are not brainwashed one way or the other, but are instead able to weigh the facts and the fiction for themselves.

Thoughts on the matter?

Two points.

Preaching & teaching religious constructs are two very different practises. To teach students about a variety of religions is to provided a basis of understanding (and respect) for belief systems other than their own - a respect which presently stands as all too rare.

Beware also of any concept that science is based only in cold facts and evidence, as many scientific fields (evolution especially) require a great deal of supposition as well.

Even the main concepts in human evolution have undergone massive shifts over the last decade - ten yrs ago it was taught that humans evolved in a linear fashion, from primate to modern human - science itself no longer holds to that argument.

Answer 1

So long as the religions are not taught in a fashion that encourages signing up, I'm all for it. It's part of a cultural education. It also gives students experience in critical thinking.

Answer 2

Evolution is based on empirical evidence and fundamental scientific theory. There is no real relationship between it and religion.

Let me try to clarify this difference by reframing your question in an older debate that religion had with science:

Multiple religion and the idea that the sun as the center of the universe should ALL be compulsory in schools?

Your question demonstrates that there is a lack of understanding as to how science works, which I find to be quite common. Science requires physical evidence to substantiate its explanations. Religion does not require this qualification, just someone with enough authority or exposure declaring it to be true and without question. Because there is no qualifying requirement for religion it can develop multiple interpretations and there is no means of actually being able to know which interpretation is correct, because there is no measurable criterion involved. Essentially, any intepretation can be correct, which means that an infinite set of possibilities exist for any single religion. This also explains why religions continually subdivide and schism. So, to teach all religions properly would take an infinite set of time. That's impractical.

Science removes old theories when enough physical evidence is presented to suggest an alternate theory is more valid. So far, no one has come up with an other scientific theory with more supporting evidence to challenge or replace evolution. In fact, the more we understand about genetics the more evolution makes sense.

Answer 3

Perhaps a better way to get around the subject would be to allow for religious study and history as an elective course for those who wanted to learn more about the background and evolution of religions. This course should span evolution , creationism and any other theory given to explain the existence of man. If it was an elective course and could be taken with the okay of their parents, why not teach them. Many children have no knowledge of any religion other than their own and that is why there is so much intolerance.

Answer 4

I don't think it's a bad idea to give a general overview of the major religions, and also evolution. But only if schools/teachers can do this without endorsing one in particular as "right" and the others as wrong, etc.

Honestly, I think children need to know what's out there. Their parents can teach them a core belief system at home and at church/mosque/synagogue/wherever - but yes, let the education system educate them about the world.

Answer 5

Parents will still have a lot of control over their children's religion. Many children identify with a particular religion before they even start school.
And while it would be worthwhile in a perfect world to teach children about all religions and have them make an informed decision, we're already having trouble teaching children adequate maths and English. If you put all that stuff in, something has to come out.

Answer 6

I think what is taught in local schools ought to be up to the people who live there.....whoever they are...whatever they believe, with very little interference. When regional and federal judges get into the business of telling the folks of Timbuktu what their curriculum must include or exclude, they've stolen the democracy of that community. Curriculum should be the result of a community dialog through a locally elected school board, and it should reflect the values of the community at large. If they don't want the name of God mentioned on school grounds, then let it be so. If they require God to be mentioned 20 times a day by every teacher, let it be so. It's called choice.

Hoping the best for you...

Answer 7

Religions are subjective beliefs which have limited relevance to modern life-evolution is about scientific facts which has every relevance. As a Buddhist I would be dead against having Buddhism imposed in schools and I don't see why Christians don't think similarly about their belief system.

Answer 8

Sounds like a good idea to me. Just make sure that whoever is teaching the comparative religion courses is careful to never impart their own personal religious beliefs into the course.

Answer 9

Religion has no place in a place of learning, teach kids how to read and write and do math, teach them about literature poetry and science and philosophy...leave religion for sunday school and the home.

Answer 10

Teach religions in religious studies/philosophy, teach evolution in biology/science