Is the teaching of religion proper for public schools?

Answer 1

I am currently teaching 12th grade English which is British literature. There is a lot of religion thrown into the old Anglo-Saxon stories such as Beowulf. It helps the students to know the history of the period and how religion was involved. When you move on to the middle ages, religion is also involved. In reading The Canterbury Tales, you have to have some understanding of nuns, monks, priests, etc. Otherwise you miss out on something in the story. I believe that you can speak about religion in a historical context, but you should not put your religious beliefs or nonbeliefs on the students at any time.

Answer 2

Only if no one objects, and the ACLU doesn't find out!

Seriously, I do think people would benefit from having a comparitive religion class to get over the stigma and myths about religions. This is easier in a private setting. To do so publicly, would require consulting among school officials, parents and students to form an agreement how to handle religion and prayer in the school, classroom or at related events.

I personally believe these issues can be decided democratically, or by consensus. Again, as long as no one feels that anyone's religious freedom is abridged, if all those affected agree their viewpoints are included and respected, then there is no perceived violation.

Only if someone argues against public tax dollars or institutions are being abused to promote a religious institution could a legal argument be raised that might win in court given the track record on these cases. I believe that decisions on religion and prayer should be made by agreement between the property taxpayers in a district who pay for the school, the administration, parents, staff and students -- whether they vote to adopt an official invocation/benediction; or elect enough student representatives to take turns presenting a prayer or meditation or moment of silence so everyone is accommodated equally; or mediating to resolve any religious-based conflicts in policy (such as evolution, sex education, etc.) by consensus of the concerned parties.

Maybe that is a lofty goal, to expect adults to communicate objectively about such sensitive topics as religion and to reach a respectful agreement; but I think it is legally necessary to provide equal protection of everyone's beliefs without imposition.

If adults don't set better examples of discussing issues maturely to resolve problems, what are we teaching our kids?

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean by "teaching of" religion.

If you mean the teaching of religion in the sense that a specific religion is taught as fact and truth and that all others are false and evil, then no. It is inappropriate to teach a specific religion as doctrine in a public school setting where not everybody is going to be the same religion.

However, if you mean teaching of religion in the sense that students are taught ABOUT religions of the world(all of them, not just a few) and what they believe and practice, then yes. It's acceptable to teach the facts about what religions believe, where they're practiced, and explain what those practices are about. That's legal and perfectly appropriate, probably even beneficial.

It's inappropriate to teach one religion as fact while denouncing all others in a public school, but perfectly ok to teach about different religions, what they believe, their history, and where they're commonly practiced.

If you want to send your child to a school where a certain set of beliefs are practiced as fact alongside math and English, then that's what religious schools are for. Public schools are for everybody, not just a privileged few.

Answer 4

No, I think no religion should be taught at any school period. It not realistic and it just told stories that happen some thousand years ago which does not show any evidence of the things they say really happen. Think about it, I can make up a religion and make people believe in the stories I say they are true and happen a million years ago which aren't. School is suppose to about learning the language of the country the people live in, science, math, sports, cooking, biology, chemistry, phychology, rights and wrongs of sex base on relationship (not porn type of education), ecomonmics, etc....This is 2006 now, not 1000 A.D.! Religion was created to control the people and make them behave back then since they did not have police system like today. A lot of rules in religion are just too strict on certain things like what cookies you can't eat and what you are allow to eat by one person views base on religion. There are a lot of meaniless, stupid rules. Again, no, I don't think religion has a place in any schools.

Answer 5

No. Unless it was voluntary. It should not be forced like it is in Catholic schools. And it should encompass all religions, not just Catholocism or Christianity.

I went to public school, but think that learning about religions are neat.

Answer 6

Depends on what is being taught. If you teach a historic version of one religion, you should teach a historic version of another.... However if you are imposing a religous view, then that goes against the current laws...However, if it were up to me, well I think we need some religion brought back to schools.

Answer 7

At this point in history the teaching of religion anywhere isn't a good idea.

Answer 8

I wouldn't mind my children learning about different religions, like that they can follow what they believe, but there are some ignorant parents out there who were not raised like others.. all they mostly talks about in my school was Christianity, why not about satanic stuff, like Satanism?.. but I guess I had to wait till I got off of school to get home and learn about it on my own time..and all other religions

Answer 9

I think that it is. Religion is the first set of morals children get. It sets the foundation for everything else. I think they should bring it back in public schools.

Answer 10

Not unless it's a private religious school. But there could be a little bit of it in school such as allow the pledge of allegiance, there should just be no bible studies in public schools, because different kids have different beliefs.