Do you think we should discourage parents from sending children into religious schools?

Question

I feel that children should not be separated by their parents' religious belief at that age, and it will be very divisive for a pluralistic society.

I have no problem teaching children moral values and letting them learn about their heritage/culture.

But religion comes in one whole package with their delusions and misunderstanding of science. It may also instill the belief that their religion is the one true religion and all others are false.

Answer 1

I can honestly say that I am on both sides of the fence on this one. I am not religious, but I respect that all people have the right to their own belief system. I also think that grade school curriculum may be better in a christian or private school setting, as the class rooms are smaller. My concern is that these kids are not exposed to a more general population, and therefore are not learning to function in society. These kids may grow up with no tools to cope in the real world. I am basing this on my community which is not inner city, or extremely fast pace, just small town America. If I did live in a school district that I considered dangerous, I would have enrolled my children in a private school system.....but at the same time, I Would never have chosen to raise my family in a large city. My sister happens to teach 5th grade at a Christian school, I respect her choices....but when I hear her speak about her career, and her class, I get the impression that the staff, and the student body is very judgmental of the *outside* world. Sometimes I think that my nieces actually think that my kids are evil in some way because they attended public school...and I am positive that they *look down* on them....which I think is sad, as they have never been able to grow a comfortable family relationship because of the attitude.

Answer 2

"Should not be separated by their parents' religious beliefs"? Separated from what?

Do the words "freedom of religion" mean anything?

Who would be the ones to "discourage" parents from sending their kids to religious schools? The government?

Sorry, but in the USA, it's not the government's place to do any such thing. Separation of church and state works both ways, you know -- it's also there to prevent government interference in private citizens' religious affairs.

As for a "pluralistic society," isn't the existence of religious schools part of a pluralistic society? How can we promote "pluralism" and "diversity" if kids are only going to public schools, and not private religious ones?

How can you claim to be advancing "diversity" and "pluralism" by trying to take away parents' choices?

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Answer 3

As a parent of 3 children I feel I have every right to teach them according to my own beliefs. 2 of them are currently attending Catholic school and the third will be there in 2 years. I was raised and attended Catholic school as a child. I feel I benefited greatly form this. So I want my children to have the same benefits. The school also teaches my children about our religion better than I ever could.

Answer 4

So when is a good time for chidren to think on their own?
Pluralistic? In what respect? Anything can be conceivably be couched in pluralism, until you get to what is good and evil, right or wrong.
In a morally pluralistic society, it's just a matter of opinion in whether the Colombine killers did anything wrong, or did you just stick your relativistic neck out?
Do you have a problem with teaching children to thou shall Not Kill? Or thou shall not lie?

Answer 5

No. Though I disagree with religious schools, it is still the parents right to send their kids there. Even if they were in a public school, some parents will still teach their children that what they are being taught in science (and other classes) is wrong, but to just memorize the answers to get the good grade and move on. I have seen this myself and cringe anytime I hear parents tell their kids this... but, again, it is their children. Personally, I would be royally pissed off if someone told me I couldn't send my kid to the school I want to send him to and let him learn what I wanted him to learn.

Answer 6

But the truth is that in many religious schools(and I'm not being picky- Jewish, Catholic, Evangelical, Episcopal, etc), the education is much better, religious education aside than you can get in the watered down public school curriculum.

Private schools are better for two groups: (1) The handicapped who benefit from smaller class sizes. (2) The gifted since the "equality" mentality in public schools more often than not means the dumbing down of smart kids.

Answer 7

No I dont think we should discourage parent to do that. Sorry but I dont think we have any right to put our opinion in regarding schooling. Parents have the right to make choices towards education and to tell you the truth I went to a private christian scholl till I was 15 then went to a public school and my schooling went down in public because I was not guided as I was in private scholl.

Parents choice ultimately

Answer 8

so what you're saying is that parents shouldnt be allowed to impose beliefs on their own children yet the media and everyone else can impose their views on them. Its okay for them to be forced to accept things like homosexuality (since now adays you're looked down upon if you express your freedom of opinion and it goes against homosexuality). Pretty soon parents aren't going to have any rights over their own kids. People need to give it a rest. do what you want with your kids and let other people deal with theirs.

Answer 9

Traditionally children of various faiths have always been sent to religious schools, going back generations.

Hebrews, Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Greek Orthodox, etc......I'm not sure I see the problem.

Understandably this isn't the way to go for parents that don't agree with this type of education.

Answer 10

I agree, my son is going to a public school. I'm an atheist, but whatever religious path my son chooses in the future I will respect. But I will not let anyone indoctrinate him at such a fragile young age, it's just mass manipulation.