Is "religious school" an oxymoron?

Question

You can't expect a real education in science, philosophy or history, so what does that leave? Math and spelling?

Answer 1

Madrasa and Convents.

Answer 2

That's a ridiculous question.

First of all there are many religious schools that are meant for the education of religious clergy. You can't become a member of the clergy of your church just because you believe in God. It has to be proven that you are very well educated in the scriptures of whatever religion you're a part of.

Secondly, for regular religious school such as the many Catholic schools around the globe, they all teach all the normal courses that any public school would teach. The only difference is that you also might have religious courses. My wife, who is a Unificationist, went to a Catholic school for a time and she still knows about Darwin's theory as well as other science and history that you would find in any other average school(though she often doesn't know the scientific terms in English because she's Norwegian). I believe my father also went to a catholic school when he was a boy, and he's your regular sci-fi fanatic.

It really seems that you really didn't think much or research at all when you asked that question. Probably emotionally derived from an ingrained anti-religious attitude. You should be careful to keep your strong feelings about a subject in check, no matter what they may be. They can lead to really bad things like discriminatory crime, all the way down to simple things like this- plainly looking rather ignorant in front of the international community that is the world wide web.

Answer 3

What????

I guess it depends on the school but as I understand it, some, religious schools teach basic education, they just include extra religious classes. Also the assumption that belief invalidates teachings in history, science, history etc. is faulty.

Consider, Evolution is not called the "Science of Evolution" it is called the "THEORY of Evolution". Aside from this theory I don't see where the difference is. Yes, those of us who choose to, believe God created the universe, but this doesn't mean we ignore the laws of physics.

Some of the "Greatest" philosophers were considered Men of God. Anyone can/does have a philosophy on things.

"History is written by the victors" While not always true this saying has it's value. Objectivity is a rarity. While, at times, Historical facts are established and can be said with some certainty, the motives behind the facts are pretty much always up to the opinion of the person speaking/hearing about them.

Answer 4

This made me laugh. My hubby says you can't teach religion, you learn it from annointing. I don't see anything wrong with learning about biblical history, and there is quite a bit to learn.
But if you are a christian then you do get a better education in philosophy and history at a "religious school" depending of course some are better than others I am sure.
Science has a place in the religious mind too, I go to the dr and he uses science to help me feel well. But you would probably be better for science somewhere else.

Depends on what you are looking for in your school.

Answer 5

Actually, it's not an oxymoron at all. I attended religious schools through grade school. I then went to a public high-school for two years, and found that Freshman ans Sophomore year were mostly a repeat of 7th and 8th grade.

The history and science I learned in Catholic School (Yes, we were taught evolution) among other subjects, was quite good. I later went on to attend a Catholic high school for my last two years and had a great deal of catch-up to do.

A religious school doesn't necessarily mean a poor education. Who would argue that Notre Dame is an inferior school due to it's involvement with the Catholic Church? How about Wesleyan?

While fundamentalist positions can speak of rigidity and a lack of sense at times, it's unfair and illogical as well to argue from that point that all religious educational institutions must necessarily be inferior.

Answer 6

Actually, I went to Catholic schools for 13 years and they did a far better job of teaching science, philosophy, and history than most public schools do.

They even taught evolution, which is something many public schools don't do in the area where I live now. (I live in Kansas City, and you've probably read about the screwy Kansas school system in the papers.)

...

Also, the people who flunked out of my high school class and had to switch to the public schools mostly ended up making the honor roll there. If there's anything that demonstrates the differences in the quality of an education between the two school systems, it's that fact.

Answer 7

some religious schools educational track records are superior to public schools even in standardized testing. cultural bias aside that should be considered. however what it does to the child in terms of damage i can only imagine as horrible, confusing, alienating and "sin" riddled.
often schools preach that the child can bring the parent's to jesus. in a more secular home where said safety and above mentioned education are the concerns, this can be a difficult barrier created in the family, one of judgment and divisiveness.
these schools are often less expensive than secular private schools as well, making it tempting for parents who are not necessarily gung ho christian.
now of course there are some traditional kids that have an easy time with the religious schools as it mirrors family life. for them it is probably just the early part of what will be a relatively comfortable predictable religion soaked life.

Answer 8

You've never actually been to "religious" school, have you, hon? I certainly DID learn science and history. Philosophy wasn't taught at the grade school level (nor is it taught at my son's public school). I was WAY ahead of my peers when I got to public high school. I don't know why you'd think that. Of course, I went to Catholic school so I can't vouch for any other type (as I'm sure you can't either). We learned about Darwin's theory, by the way. Also learned all about dinosaurs. Weren't told any of that didn't happen. Wasn't brainwashed. Sorry that you've been misinformed, but that's simply not true.

Answer 9

That can depend entirely on the school, you have places like Notre Dame, which is a highly accredited university, and then you have some back-woods schools taught by one person out of nothing but scriptures.

Just depends where the school is on that spectrum.

Answer 10

Schools are glorified daycares with some minimal white-collar job training. Cutting off science, philosophy, or history instruction in public schools wouldn't make much of a difference to the majority.

Answer 11

I went to a Bible college and my professors (of any art) you would find most impressive. Not only at what they do, but their character, self-sacrifice, and love sets them apart and above any secular teacher youll ever meet.

In fact, they can offer a superior perspective on paticularly philosophy and history unhindered by atheistic philosophical assumptions.