Should religion be apart of school?

Question

At school I am reutinley forced to attend the christmas and easter services. I have no choice in the matter same as every other pupil in my school. I attend a state school which contains people from all faiths.

Is it right that in school's such as mine we should be forced to attend these services?

I feel that I should add that I attend a school in Scotland, not America.

Religious studies (as a subject) is required until your 5th year in high school. I have taken it onto higher level which means that I learn in depth about both the theory of Evolution and creationism.

Those who do not take it onto higher level are still taught it, there is just no exam about it at the end for them.

So many of you are saying that I should sue, and that is is unconstitutional.

It's a pain, but I don't think it's illegal over here. We're British remember, 'land of the free' is an American thing...

Also, to the person who answered first. Does not being a chrisitian mean I don't have any hope? Cause I sure as hell have hope...Hope that one day we won't need to rely on religion so heavily!

The services are held during school time, they are not in a church and they are christian.

Also I agree that religioun should be taught in our schools, so long as it's not just one religioun or one point of veiw being taught.

Heck, I just don't like having to go to these services and listen to a preist rant on about things I don't believe in. And no they can't shoot me, but they gave me detention.

Answer 1

That is an interesting spin on the religion in school topic for me. As a former student, I could see not wanting to learn about another's religion in the classroom, but it never occurred to me to object to getting out of class to watch what the drama department did for the holidays. I am surprised, but I can certainly see that as being uncomfortable.

If I was you, I would ask the principal if you could put something together for the holiday program - something fun and light in honor of your beliefs. What a great way to share the joy of your own holiday season with your community.

I am not being sarcastic. I am sure if nothing else there is a poem that you could read - one that is told to children during your own holiday celebrations. There is no reason to take away a great opportunity for Theater productions - simply add to it to be more inclusive of others. This way you are part of the solution instead of a complainer - and you are back stage the whole time instead of in the audience watching!

Peace!

Later...
Ah, well, Scotland is another animal and nations that have a national religion - there is nothing for that. I hope all of you Americans read this and realize just how very lucky you are.

Answer 2

Lots of confusion here because of the different views held in the us of a.
This is Britain (yes, even Scotland for the time being). The country is officially a christian country so there's no real argument about which religion should be taught in schools. As to whether children should be made to attend "acts of worship", well, it it's part of the school ethos, then yes, I see no reason to stop it. Individual children can always be withdrawn by parents and many schools have a separate ceremony for jews, mohommedans etc.
However, the one thing to stop is children deciding for themselves what they want. At their ages, they have no way of knowing exactly what they need/want/require. That's why they're at school. Don't forget, you don't have to believe everything you see or hear, even religious ceremonies, but, at least you might learn to understand what's going on and produce questions about it. you may even decide that it makes more sense than the religion you grew up with. Give things a chance.

Answer 3

At the end of the day, no matter how many other religions come and live here, we are a Christian country, not a Muslim, although they are tryin so damn hard to make it that way, we are a Christian land. When royalty dies, do we all go to a mosque? No, there is a church or cathedral service, if you are not a Christian, will you choose to go get married in a Muslim way? No, (unless you use a registry office) you will use a church, and believing it or not, use the words, this is my solemn vow before almighty God...so yes, Christianity, above ALL faiths should be taught in schools. It does no harm to understand the others, but Christianity is the one of our country.

Answer 4

Since I know there's really nothing you can do about it all the way out there in Scotland, perhaps taking a different perspective may help.

I know it doesn't take the religion out of it, but it may be a comforting thought knowing that those "religious" services aren't the religion most people think they are. "Christmas" and "Easter" are based not only in date, but also in celebration, on Pagan celebrations that predate Christianity by many hundreds of years. In the 300s, the Catholic Church made many of these stolen traditions officially part of the church, even though they were never theirs to take.

And no, religion should not be a part of public school. That's what private schools and home-schooling is for.

Much love, and much luck to you.

Answer 5

This is not a religious school? What kind of religious services? Catholic? Christian? In an actual church? This sounds fishy to me, that's why I'm asking questions.

If it is not a religious school (not ran by any specific religious group) and the services are being held in a church, and it is funded by taxpayer money - then no - this isn't right. However, only religious schools actually have churches on school grounds that I'm aware of.

Added: Just read up top you go to school in the UK. Wow - that sucks. I still don't think it's right.

Answer 6

They make you attend a class on evolution. It's a belief system. You have to "believe" in evolution and have "faith" in some of the evidence since assumptions have to be made in order for the evidence to fit into the theory. Christmas parties must reaaallly be dragging you down. Just think, having you attend a christmas or easter service just makes it that much easier to find something for you to complain about. Right?

Answer 7

Religion shouldn't have a place in school. Children shouldn't be allowed to be brainwashed, from an early age. Religion should be something practised in peoples own times, if people want to.

I don't believe that anyone should be forced to attend any religious services that they don't want to. Thats no better than a mormon or jehovas witness knocking on your door and trying to force a religious belief down your throat.

Answer 8

I don't think you should be forced to attend any service that is not during school time. But to your original question - should religion be apart of school? YES As religion has been stripped out of our schools we have seen a drastic increase in teen pregnancy, violence, etc. They are teaching children in Kindergarten that homosexuality is normal... but we can't teach that they were created by a Creator and that Creator has a purpose for thier life?

Answer 9

No, it's not fair but schools (here in America) do tend to keep these events more as fun activities than religious ceremonies. All or no faiths should be acknowledged. Comparative religion courses should include all types of religion.

The fact is, religion has no more place in public education than science and history have a place in church.

Answer 10

specific, I honestly have studied different religions too !! no longer ALL !! yet an overpowering majority of them ! To me in my view, i'm repugnant to the belief the place : a million)- there is any attempt to benefit the writer with any creature. 2)- the place weaknesses of creatures are by some skill contemplated interior the belief of writer. So many of the religions fall flat on those 2 best criterias.