Do you think a world religion and theology class should be offered in High school?

Question

I think that high schools in America should offer a world religion and theology course. I’m not talking about a seminary class or release time that focuses on one religion; I mean a class that teaches at least the basics and some more of every religion.

The reason I think this is because, as the War on Terror goes on, I realized that a lot of people are very ignorant and discriminatory to the religion of Islam. Then I realized that a lot of people are ignorant to every religion but their own, and a lot of times just religion in general.

I think that if a world religion class was offered kids may be able to open their minds to what others believe. I think it would help them learn tolerance, understand which religion is which, and why they do the things they do. If this was offered people wouldn’t judge so harshly. I find that myself and others only judge when we don’t understand.

If I took this course I would expect to learn about the history of theology and religions, how they came to be, what they believe, and why. I would expect that the religions taught would be divided according to how long they’ve been around, and how complicated the beliefs are. I would also expect to be taught about atheistic beliefs and the numerous cults that have formed, not that the two are related.

This class would have to be optional, because you cannot force someone to learn about religion if they don’t want to. Although, if it were my way, the teacher would never mention their religion and try to be as unbiased as possible. They would also allow debates in class to some extent.

I understand the existence and importance of separation between church and state, but ignorance can only be tolerated to some point. Plus, I think the separation between church and state means that no one is allowed to have you pray in school or work, or teach according to religious beliefs. I think this class would be more related to culture studies, anyways.

Answer 1

I agree that it wouldn't be so bad to offer that knowledge. I also agree when you say it would have to be optional. However, think about those students who would be willing to take the class....those are the same students who are intelligent and open-minded enough to research this info on their own. Those aren't the ignorant people we should worry about. And being optional, we couldn't force the ignorant ones to take the class. Even if it was required...you can lead a horse to water, but can't make it drink.

Answer 2

For the record separation of state and church is not really about education. It is about governance based on equal representation. Don't tread on me and all will be fine is how you should look at this subject.

Just for the record our government is happy that the masses are not educated. There is a direct correlation between the decline in quality of education and government intervention. The government schools are not learning institution they have become a big baby sitting ring.

The day the idea of tenor in this country died the freedom to teach the art of thinking went with it. Now higher learning is really only available to the elite to continue the lineage to rule over the masses.

I can see why you would think this way but the only way to restore the quality of education in this country is to put back into the system the ability to know how think and find information on your own. I get real nervous when an institution tell what I should know while destroying my ability to formulate my own astute observations. Data means nothing if you don't know how to interpret what your findings.

Answer 3

They already have those classes in college. The professors are for the most part not in the least unbiased, and are quite obviously doing no more than making any and all religion look ridiculous. The point of the class seems to be nothing more than to create more atheists, which its doing a very good job of. No, they don't need to offer any hate mongering class in high school, and that's basically what this class does, lets the students know that anyone who believes in any religion at all is brainless and the students come away without any real knowledge of any religion, but lots of sarcasm towards anyone even slightly religious, and it doesn't seem to matter which religion it is.

Answer 4

I think you have a good idea, and I like your reasoning. I also would add that I think it would be a good idea to have a sensitivity class which would focus on being sensitive to those who are different - whether they be gay, disabled, speak a different language, or whatever. Too many people allow ignorance to affect how they treat those who are different, and after high school, this can spill over into the workplace, making working conditions intolerable for many people. For instance, I am a Christian, and in my last job, my co-workers enjoyed talking crudely around me and trying to get me embarrassed because they knew I wouldn't talk the way they did. While it was all in good fun, it got very annoying at times.

One more thing, without getting into the hot topic of abortion, I heard on the radio this morning that one state's legislature is considering requiring women to view a sonogram of their baby before having an abortion. The deejay said that when he was in high school, his class was made to watch a video of an actual abortion. He said that profoundly affected his views on abortion. As a parent, I don't know if I would want my child to watch such a video, but I think the concept of showing life development in the womb at certain stages of pregnancy, via a video in the classroom, would also be an idea. It would inform kids of facts so that they would either be more careful about having sex or they would be fully informed if they were to later have an abortion.

You asked a very good question.

Answer 5

It sounds like a good idea to me. I go to a Catholic highschool (though I'm not Catholic), where they offer a semester-long course on world relgions. They teach it very well and do not let the fact that they are Catholics get in the way of telling the truth about all the religons. It teaches about indiginous beliefs in Africa, Australia and Native Americans, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It then goes on a section about how the religions are implemented today. I don't think they have a section on cults or atheism though.

Answer 6

Any proper history class will include the influences that religious institutions have had on the history of the world. If this isn't included, then the view of history taught is pretty rose-colored and skips important religiously-influenced events, both positive and negative.

Disinterested religious history/intro to world religions courses are OK in theory but in practice would probably be impossible to be taught fairly and impartially. If such a course could, however, I would support it being taught as a psychology/sociology course or what have you, as it informs psychology and sociology pretty heavily. I would not support it as a replacement for a history course, though.

Answer 7

Two comments:

1) You say "you cannot force someone to learn about religion if they don’t want to" and I say "Oh no?" They can 'force' us to learn Math and History and Geology and Science and Literature and so on... why not Religion? No one is asking them to believe in any religion... just know what they are about and what they believe...

2) I have a friend in the UK, and this is exactly the course he teaches at a high school level... so why not?

Answer 8

Bad idea.

I met an author once who told me he had spent his whole life deeply studying all the major religions of the world. He wrote a book which supposedly sold many copies, in which he explained them all so that people could pick one that fits them. He spoke very highly of himself and all his knowledge. He's probably the kind of person who would be chosen to teach a class like this - in fact, his book would be the kind of book that schools might use as a text for this kind of class.

To test him, I asked him to describe the basics of Christianity to me. His response was atrocious. He said to me that Christianity is "people get together and sell their stuff and then share with each other whatever they have." His description never mentioned Christ, God, salvation or any part of the bible. If his explanations of the other world religions were as poor, then nobody would learn anything from his book.

As a parent, I would not want my children being taught falsehoods at school - evolution and "diversity" is bad enough, and has caused me and many others to enroll our children in private schools. As a citizen of this country, I don't want any more falsehoods taught to the children who will grow up to be in charge of this country when I'm older either.

Answer 9

Isn't? How can you study the middle east and not learn some basics about Islam? Or Central and South America and not learn how Catholicisms is woven into the lives of the people. It would be less than half a study of their culture if that was left out... Jim

Answer 10

I would like to see a World Religion class offered to high school students from a historical perspective. We have one here at the college level and it is a really good class.