so, if we were to allow religion to be taught in schools, and we decided to keep it regulated to Christianity?

Question

Which one branch would it be.

Catholic?

Protestant?

Baptist?

or one of the many other of several hundren sects and divisions of the religion.

would we then have christians fighting over which type of christianity is right to teach to everybody.

can a Catholic allow their children to be taught Protestant beliefs? what about Baptist?

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PS. i am Pagan and do not believe that religion should be in any part of our government especially schools...

i like the pay per view idea.

train 202

you mean this article 3 of the northwest ordinance?

*************************ART. 3. Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. The utmost good faith shall always be observed towards the Indians; their lands and property shall never be taken from them without their consent; and, in their property, rights, and liberty, they shall never be invaded or disturbed, unless in just and lawful wars authorized by Congress; but laws founded in justice and humanity, shall from time to time be made for preventing wrongs being done to them, and for preserving peace and friendship with them. . . .

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where does that say religion must be tuaght?

oh and we kind of failed that whole thing did we not?

Answer 1

The very points that you mentioned above are the very reasons why religion should NOT be a part of a public school curriculum. As a Christian, I would want to ensure that if religion was taught in school, that it would be Protestant Christianity (Baptist, Nazarene, Assembly of God, Non-denominational, etc). That way, what was being taught would coincide with what I am teaching my own child. Now if my way was taught to the exclusion of other ways, then how fair would it be to those other parents who want their own beliefs taught in school? It WOULDN'T be fair. Just as God gives us a free will and does not force His ways upon us, neither should we force our religious beliefs on others - particularly in the schools. It's one thing to bring up one's own children with the morals, beliefs and values that you want to teach your children. It's quite another to restrict other parents from teaching their values to their children by forcing their children to learn other belief systems that are contrary to their own beliefs. The freedom of religion guarantees us the freedom to worship and believe however we choose to without being persecuted by our government or other entity. Likewise, the founding fathers made our nation with the concept of separation of church and state because they understood all the complicating ramifications of what could happen if there was no separation.

Answer 2

There are many protestants, as well as others taught in Catholic schools. I have a Catholic niece going to a Calvanist school. My daughters went to Catholic schools and I'm a Pagan. That's all fine with me.

If, however, you decide to teach religion in public schools, you had better open it up to many different religons. If you push just Christianity, and teach it as "truth", I'll have a real problem with that. Then again, it's not likely to happen in the United States, as that separation is law. Our founding fathers intended for a state that did not endorce a particular religion or religious tradition. George Washington signed a treaty specifically stating that the Untied States was not founded on Christianity. The two need to remain separate, for the moment the state endorces religion, the state has become a tyranny.

To specifically endorse a religion is the first step toward deciding which religions are and are not valid, and is a step backward to when heresey was a crime against the state. It is a step back to when the state decided which books were permissible, which religions practices may be tolerated, and to putting heretics and witches to death. It may seem a far step today, but it was quite fresh in the minds of the founding fathers. There are many who would like to see a return to those days. Religion in schools may be a first step backwards.

Answer 3

If you teach any religion at all, it's all grounded in Catholicism anyways. Then it just branches out into all the different beliefs about what part of the Bible they choose to believe.

Teach history and you will in essence teach religion. Religion was written by man to control the masses.

Teach Aramaic, Latin, Greek, French, Spanish and I'm leaving out a few... and then teach the students how to translate from one language to the other until you get to English and see how they differ.

Teach the laws of the times and see how they relate to the bible.

Teach them to think and they will find out for them selves where the truth lies.

Give them knowledge and they will decide for themselves.

Answer 4

If religion was taught in schools, it should not be a required subject. I don't want another religion forced on my children, but I would love it if they could be taught the same values that I am trying to teach them. What I wonder is why it can't be something approved by parents, such as internet usage. Parents have to fill out a permission slip to allow their children to use the internet. why can't it be the same with religion.

Answer 5

that very question is one that went through my mind.
Even if one type of christian was taught in schools, there would be members of another denomination that didn't agree with certain parts.
That's exactly why it should not be taught, because even if it was that faith, what about other faiths.
teaching religion is for churches, mosques, etc, not schools. That is for good basic lifeskills to encourage overall good mental growth for a child. The rest is upon parents to teach to children as they feel inclined.

Answer 6

I think religion should, without a doubt, be taught in school. It should be in a comparative literature class or similar setting. Once people start seeing all of the creation stories and all various examples the classic hero's tale (and how the general structure is the same in each story) they will better realize where their religion fits into the overall history world societies.

Answer 7

First off, baptists are protestants. I believe that the broad aspects of each major religion should be taught. It would take too long to go deep into detail with each one. I personally believe that it should be taught in Social Studies, since there is nothing more social than religion.

Answer 8

In Australia Religion is taught in Public Schools by each denomination for a half an hour a week

Answer 9

Although Pagan now as an adult, I was raised Protestant. And our mother sent us to Catholic grammar school because the public schools in our town.... sucked.

Let's keep religion out of the schools! Although if a Hogwarts opened up here in the Poconos, I would send our kids to it without a second thought hehehe.

Answer 10

I would wish that each religion had a chance to be taught in school by members of the same faith; that respect for all would be required. This would not violate the Constitution.

Every religion in the world has rules demanding decent treatment of those around them by its members. (Except maybe atheism?) We should all respect each other and be kind.