Should a comparative religion course be required for graduation from high school or college?

Question

I just read this article suggesting most Americans are extremely undereducated about religion:

http://usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-03-07-teaching-religion-cover_N.htm

Do you agree that Americans are religiously undereducated, that's it's dangerous, and that perhaps something should be done in the public education system to rectify this (like requiring a comparative religion course)?

Or do you think that the arguments presented in the article are simply a ploy to further push religious agenda in schools and force children into Christian doctrine?

Please don't make assumptions about what I think from what I've posted. I know what I think - I just want to know what you guys think.

Answer 1

I'm a religious studies major in college, and I agree that in general, Americans are extremely undereducated about religions. I have tutored students before in religious classes, and I was astonished at how little they knew. I found it quite disturbing that you could make it to college without even knowing that a "Protestant" is a Christian (someone I tutored had no idea what a Protestant was). Another of my classmates seemed to think that Muslims were some kind of sect of Judaism. And my own mother has asked me more than once, "Now, what's the difference between a Muslim and an Islam?" hahaha.

I think this is sad and it can be dangerous in a religiously plural culture as we have. I would really like to see world religions as a requirement in high school. It would have to be taught objectively, just like it is done in a secular university. It would not support or condemn any of the religions, but give factual information.

Answer 2

Comparative religion would be a great course but I think you'd find it VERY difficult to get it accepted.
Yes, there are many religiously undereducated people and it is dangerous. That's one of my main reasons for posting on R&S.

Answer 3

Most people are not well versed in their own religion, let alone other faiths. I am nominally Christian, but would probably be embarressed if I were seriously quized on the Bible. It would not hurt us to have a class on the Bible and on Comparative Religions. To be culturally literate in our society we need to have a basic background in old and new testament references
Huston Smith has some excellent books on Religion which are very informative and not preachy at all. I recommend them to any who might want to get a good general overview.

Answer 4

Nope.

Interpersonal religious communication should be illegal.

Thats just my opinion. A person's beliefs are vital to their development as an individual. Religion takes developing individuals and turns them into mindless drones.
Educating them in the ways of different religions just leaves the open question of whether any of the crazy waffle might actually be objectively true (since most of them claim to be)... and that effectively is corrupting their individuality in its own way.

Of course ultimately, the only way to ensure complete individuality in a person is to deny them all human contact.
I'm not saying that would be a bad thing either. Humans are revolting and terrible creatures.

Answer 5

I believe a comparative religion couse should be offered as an elective in high school and college but that it should not be a requried course. I believe America should offer students to choose to be more educated about world religions but not require it because this being such a touchy subject, requiring a comparative religion course would cause an uproar among American parents. If I were still in school, I would defintiely choose to take such a course if it were offered, I think it is a wonderful idea. I would definitely love for my children to take such a course and become educated about world religions before deciding what he or she believes. I believe that you cannot truely know what you do believe in until you know what you don't.

Answer 6

I think it would be a good idea as an elective but not as required.

the problem with this is though is that the course won't stay comparitive because the evangelicals will want their say (if they don't get it they'll cry persecution) and end up taking over the whole class and all these kids will be taught is if it's diffrent from us it's evil. if there was a way to ENFORCE a balanced outlook on the class I wouldnt mind using my tax dollars for it

Answer 7

Sort of.

My son, the atheist child of Pagans, is getting a crash course in the Bible as literature at home because it is important to English literature, and we're English speakers.

With so many Christians shockingly uneducated about the Bible (as so often shown here) this would be a great thing, BUT Christians constantly complain that the bible-as-Literature textbooks don't push their religion enough, so we can't expect this ever to be feasible.

Answer 8

not required, but offered

I think the reasons for requiring a religion class are largely from Christians. If they want their kids to learn about Christianity send them to Christian schools.

It's not like there are a bunch of Hindu, Muslim or Pagan schools in the US, but yet the numbers of peoiple belonging to these religions in the US is growing by leaps and bounds compared to Christianity which is actually on the decline. I think if they do a religion class, it should be covered as Mythology, which I actually took in high school.

Answer 9

I agree with you and the article. However, I believe that it should only be taught in private schools. Schools that are sponsored through federal incentives should not endorse any religious education. Let it be the job of the parents. Plus, we are living in an age where it is possible to learn more about different faiths through Internet, books, tv, or by talking to other people about their faith.

Answer 10

I will overlook the heavy Christian bias of the article and just address a comparative religion course.

I took one myself in college. As it was my disposition (and choice) I enjoyed it immensely. However, I could see such coarses being taught poorly or biased if it became a requirement.

If you could teach just the facts about each major 'world' religion and view (from each religion's point of view) - it could promote greater understanding.

As I recall, the class I took covered Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Paganism (smattering of varied beliefs). I think that was it.

I don't think extreme parents would allow being taught other religions (as just as correct from their own point of view).

~ Eric Putkonen