If the US Public school system taught a mandatory religion class to every student and honored every religion..

Question

would there ever be school, or would everyone be on break?


also, if anyone knows, how many religouse holidays are out there?

Answer 1

Until US school systems can get the basics down pat they shouldn't take on more than they can chew. We need to be better in mathematics, science, reading, writing and especially geography before they should even think about teaching other things.

Answer 2

I think its an excellent idea. Hopefully it would help create more understanding and tolerance amongst the different groups. Years ago I did some studies in a few of the main world religions which included not just the religious beliefs but the customs and rituals. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I learned so much. I don't think the purpose is to try to convert anyone but it certainly shines a new light on things when you have some knowledge about why some cultures/religions do the things they do! I am a funeral director and I have worked with many many cultures and religions over the years. The bottom line is we're all God's creation, and we're really much more alike that we realize! As for Terry L's comment about teachers being biased.....when I took courses, each religion/culture was taught by a representative of that particular group so the biased thing didn't happen!

Answer 3

No...a comparative religion class doesn't take that long, for three reasons:

1 - Most denominations of any religion can be lumped together. For example, Christian Reconstructionism, Theonomy, Kinism, and Kingdom Now Theology can all be covered under Dominion Theology.

2 - Religions that are minor or fringe would not have to be given equal treatment. For example, in a science class, you won't be taught EVERY theory that's out there. Instead, you're taught the prominent ones, especially when they have consensus. Similarly, small, relatively unknown sects or religions could be passed over for the same reasons. It's not a matter of respect for the religion; it's a matter of prioritizing instruction.

3 - Having a mandatory class in comparative religion does not mean that students would have breaks for every religion. As it currently stands, students can miss school for religious holidays. The reason everybody takes off around the Christmas and Easter season is because there are so many staff people off that schools would not have enough personnel to run a normal school day.

Answer 4

A class that covered the basics would not have to take up that much time. We expect our kids to learn world history in a one hour class, don't we? World religions are a large part of world history, since every culture that exists has been influenced by religion.
More importantly, kids would be learning about the truth about beliefs that are different from their own. That alone would do more to dispell hatred than any single other thing we could do. Why would you not want a kid to know the truth about your religion? I certainly am not afraid to expose mine to childish scrutiny.
Nor am I afraid that my child might be warped by learning about, say, Wicca. Why would she be?
I have confidence in my faith, and in my children. Any parent who does not should homeschool.
Believe me, there are much worse things going on in the public school system that your kid could be exposed to than someone else's religion.

Answer 5

The public school system needs to teach efficiently science, logic, mathematics.
Religious superstition and delusion strives on ignorance. Education for everyone is paramount.

Answer 6

Call it Government School