Would anyone be opposed to teaching the history of Paganism or Wicca in the public schools?

Question

I wouldn't.
In fact, I think it would be fascinating.
I'd really like to know more about Pagan holidays, or Wiccan spells.
Nor would I object to my Christian child learning these things. I'm sure their faith could handle the challenge.
Do we think our children are so mentally weak that, just because they are exposed to something in school, it will warp their thinking forever?
Are you as sure of your faith (or lack of same) as I am?
Do you have as much faith in your kids as I do in mine?
Why or why not?

Sadly, I see that a great many people do not have faith in their kids.
No wonder our youth are so confused.
As parents you ought to feel ashamed of yourself, because if your child is so "impressionable" (read "gullilble"), then you are doing a very lousy job.
Don't blame God.
Blame yourselves.

Answer 1

If ALL Religions were taught, I wouldn't have a bit of a problem with it. I do not agree with favoring one religion over another in the school system or any of the Gov't branches... even when it's my own religion.

Now, I seriously doubt you are going to find many Christians like yourself who would be willing to learn about other religions and they sure aren't going to want their child learning anything of it. If they saw any kind of truth within another religion, it would shatter their personal image that only They have the truth. Which is one of the problems with people of different religions. We can't expect our children to act much better when we are sitting here saying we want peace, but we still have petty arguments over who's idea of God is better.

Agreed, on your point that if you are strong in your faith, learning about another religion isn't going to do anything to that faith.

Answer 2

the problem is, would a teacher be responsible enough to teach without a bias to any religion or lack thereof? everyone has thier own beliefs, and more than likely it will cause lots of problems because someone will use thier bias agianst others, ive heard a case where someone taught creationism in school, and then used it to thier advantage by telling a catholic girl her religion was false. There will be a lot of problems with this idea, I do think that children should be exposed to all religions HOWEVER its the responsibility of the parents and not the school, and if youre not a responsible parent why the hell did you pop out kids?

Answer 3

"Would anyone be opposed to teaching the history of Paganism or Wicca in public schools?"

I'm sure someone would be opposed to it. ^_^

Now are you saying the the history of the religion should be taught or the practice of the religion should be taught? I think that in the right setting, like a world religion class, the history could be taught, not that there would be much to teach, Wicca is only around 50 years old. Paganism is easily taught in any Mythology class.

But teaching spells and practicing holidays? I think that crosses the line between church and state, and thats no good. I wouldn't want someone to be teaching me Christian practices.. making me go to church.... I wouldnt want my kids to do it.

Answer 4

I love honest history but I would stop short of saying we should teach these things in earnest since the same public schools are already teaching some of that and refusing to teach our Christian heritage. Real history is glossed over and shown in a light that is detrimental to anything having to do with the God of the Bible. I have one child in public high school and another just starting high school as a home schooler. Some of the stuff my public school daughter brings home is ridiculous. Evolutionary tales that aren't even credible and have even been disproven, like a fetus having gills. I thought we were clear that those so called gill looking structures are not gills but pre-glandular cells and in fact even in fish those structures do not become the gills. This is clearly proven yet the public school teaches it to be true.
and this is only one example. She is at the point where she doesn't want to go to public school anymore. If she so chooses she will be homeschooled with her brother next year.

Answer 5

There is a problem with such topics being discussed in classrooms, the whole separations of state and church.. I am also aware of the duplicitous side that really only establishes Christianity as the faith of choice.. But I agree with an author, No vocal prayer in schools but a general introduction to alternative faiths (including Islam) would be very beneficial to the worldly learning of the pupil.

Answer 6

If taught along with the history of other major or popular religions in some type comparitive religion class. That would not be promoting any one religion over another - just educating on different religions. That would be a good idea actually for young people to be exposed to different belief systems without any pressure ot convert, or to hate it either.

Answer 7

I am a Pagan and I would be opposed to teaching the history of Paganism and Wicca in public schools.
I object to the teaching of any religion in public schools. To do otherwise would violate the Separation of Church and State the same way teaching creationism and christianity in public schools does.
Religion has no place in public schools, it belongs in the family and in the churches, temples, mosques, and other places of worship.

Answer 8

I am not opposed to teaching the history of Paganism in public schools, but I do know that many Christians are very opposed to it. However, many Christian groups do seem to want their religion to be taught in public schools, which I find offensive only because of their pushiness. Bible study, but no other religious study? It's not right to exclude other religions in public schools in favor of Christianity. After all, Public Schools are non-secular, aren't they. If people want only Christianity to have a place in your kids' school, why not just send them to a church school? And by the way, older kids in parochial (church) schools are just as interested in Paganism as their public school counterparts.

Answer 9

I would think that they could learn a lot from the Pagan/Wiccan religion. i mean, it would answer what holidays are associated with the ones that are celebrated outside the traditional holidays. We study mythology in schools, don't we? well, the Pagan/Wiccan part of learning about the Gods and Goddesses are part of that, only we educate them on our own festivities and in doing so 'harm none'.

Answer 10

I actually wouldn't oppose a class that covered a variety of religious histories - sort of like a survey class - but it would have to be carefully constructed so that it was strictly a history and not an invitation to island hop the metaphysical world and there would remain the question of when to introduce such lessons. However, the beliefs have played important roles in the development of our modern societies and understanding that is contributory to a well rounded education, so.. why not teach it?

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