Morals vs religion?

Question

One last Q (for now, anyways) about religion in schools. I saw an answer that stated there is barely time to teach our kids the essentials in school. The schools are failing. Maybe this is in fact the heart of the matter. We AREN'T teaching the essentials when all we teach them is math and english. Religion is important, in my mind, because it teaches us that we are responsible for each other. I don't care if you believe in God or not. Teaching kids to treat others how they want to be treated is not a bad philosophy. Teaching them in school that stealing is wrong, that killing is wrong, that adultery is wrong (all opinions, are they not?) can't be bad. I am not trying to suggest that the onus for morality doesn't ultimately fall on the parents, but why must it be two completely seperate messages? By making a parents message different from a schools message, aren't we really forcing our children (b/c we are "fact driven" people) to choose which message is more important?

Math and english are facts. Morals are concepts. I advocate teaching children HOW to think (and contend that morals are a great way of doing both: teaching concepts AND reenforcing respect for yourself and others). We are filling their memories with facts and figures, not their minds with ways to deduce anything (including what is and isn't acceptable, respectful behavior).

Answer 1

Well...is it really the school's responsibility to teach your child that killing is wrong?

It seems to be that would be the failing of the parent. The school shouldn't be obligated to have to tell a child that you don't stab a knife into the kid next to you.

I was never taught one thing about religion, I had to learn myself last year, when I decided I wanted to read the Bible. Still atheistic, but my parents taught me well about how to be moral and kind, and so I haven't killed anyone, I've never stolen anything, and am still a virgin at 20 by personal choice.


and I'm sad that you think Math and English aren't essentials in learning.

Answer 2

Schools don't need to include religion as a part of their curriculum in order to teach children common decency and respect. But I do agree with you that they should be taught such things. Rather than teaching children a gazillion different types of mathematics and science and nonsense such as how to graph a sentence, schools should require classes that teach children all of the above (With the exception of adultry, because the issue of whether or not adultry is right or wrong rests solely between the couple facing that issue. Some couples agree to ''open'' relationships. I think that subject should be left alone.) and classes that prepare children for the world beyond school. The schools have it backwards. Just one backwards example: To require algebra while offering home economics as an elective.

****I understand the point that people, who are saying that it's the parents' responsibility to teach children right and wrong, are trying to make. I'm not debating that. I agree 100%. But I also believe that a government that has established a public school system is assigning some of that responsibility to the public school system. And there are many different ways of teaching right and wrong. An example: Yes, the parents should be the ones who explain to "Johnny" that it's wrong to steal and why. But the school system should be teaching "Johnny" about the consequences and alternatives.

****Teaching a child how to think can be done within the subjects of math, english, etc... The subjects aren't the problem. The problem is with HOW children are being taught.

****To what degree are you talking about teaching children acceptable behavior? If you impose societal norms on children then you are teaching conformity, which is contrary to what you say your desire is regarding children's education.

Answer 3

You are 100% right. Some people , both the believers and non believers are really getting off just having something to say, and I get the impression that most of the nonbelievers haven't really come to thier own conclusions through sole searching, they are just jumping on the religion bashing band wagon. Any way(sorry) I think that if people learned more to simply be kind to one and other as a general rule there would not necessarily be a social need for religion but there is a catch 22 here, How many people who are violent by nature will claim to be spiritual, unless of course they were raised to kill in the name of GOD.But you make a very good point because it would appear that religion is being mocked, I see lots of kids and others in the mexican culture who wear Rosary beads and I have asked them if they ever said the Rosary or if they know the story behind it and they all give me that same stupid look and reply "no". A lot of mexicans appear to believe that the Blessed Mother Mary is part of the gang culture. In short I agree with you that morals are more important than religion but we are dealing with a society that does not have the intellect to simply be kind.

Answer 4

Teaching a child not to steal hit or bite has nothing to do with religion people. Its just being a nice person. The Christian were NOT the first people to think of these rules. If they had we wouldn't be here because everyone would have killed everyone else off. My kids morals and values fall on ME. I don't want some one else filling thier heads with what I feel is lies and propoganda. Fact? You shouldn't kill people. Its mean and heartless. Doesnt make it a Christian belief! Its MY job to teach my children about faith. No one else. And I dont WANT anyone else doing it. If someone else doesn't have time to teach thier kids, they can figure it out. My kids soul is my business. Its not for sale.

Answer 5

Personally, I think the reason schools are failing has nothing to do with religion. The most secular nations in the world are also the smartest and most crime free. I'm not blaming religion for the ills of the public school system, but I am saying that injecting ANY religion into the school system will only produce more problems, as there are several differing points of view about religion, and none of them can be proven to be fact.

Morals is a parental responsibility. Public education does not free you from the responsibility of being a good parent and role model. Education is there to teach knowledge that will make you a productive member of society and allow you to think critically of what you see and perceive, but it is only one part of the equation. It doesn't matter how much a teacher tells a child about morals, if the child does not see those morals enacted in everyday life, then the teachers efforts are in vain.

p.s. God is not a requirement for good morals. Good examples of good morals are.

Answer 6

There are two different issues.

To teach someone what is right and wrong is easy...

Anyone from a priest to a hitman can tell you that murder is wrong.

What children need to learn is to respect others and to WANT to do what is right, to have the right frame of mind to want make the right choices. This can not be taught like maths or English or even religion.

To learn this, a child needs to be loved, respected and shown by experience.

Answer 7

The type of content you suggest can be well represented in a civics or ethics class for children without bringing any particular religious dogma into it. But, yes it seems it needs to be spelled out as the standard of goodwill, since so many kids report they never got any guidance on (the obvious) issues of respect, tolerance, kindness, etc. ( I work with troubled kids).

Answer 8

Schools can't be held responsible to teach values, because values are caught, not learned.

We get our morals and values from years of emulating our parents, not from being taught. You can tell someone every day that smoking is bad, but if you smoke they'll never take you seriously. Morals are the same.

Answer 9

I agree with a lot of what your saying. However, teachers in my opinion are not qualified nor should they be to teach on morality.

We need to structure our education system around critical thinking instead of just excepting everything at face value. Teach students to question life and think at a high logical level.

Answer 10

Expecially now with that Mickey Mouse in the middle east, talking to them about becoming rulers of the world and too hate America, and that they will beat us.

I think it's the most important thing now, Because look at what our kids are up against.

I don't know about any of you, but I have a Son, That I want too protect.