As it appears to be the norm for religious beliefs to be taught, without there being any proof of the matter, shouldn't the alternative also be taught?
2007-05-12 12:48:39 · 33 answers · asked by cananddo 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion is still taught in state schools in the UK. Children are still encouraged to thank god for "what we are about to receive", just as prayers are still said in morning assemble. My seven year old came home recently with a pre-printed picture to colour which stated that 'god gives us coal to keep warm'. I'll hand that to the coal man when he gives me my bill. I agree that religion should NOT be taught in schools, nor, ideally, in the home. But, as it is, the alternative, Atheist, view should be given every time.
2007-05-12 13:32:03 · update #1
Yes, I think so - but only as part of the bunfight of religious education, which should encompass all major and some minor belief systems. I think people are unduly dismissive of atheism as "belief in no gods". There could certainly be a couple of lessons on the subject - common reasons given for atheism, the idea it carries of determining a secular moral code for social development, and so on. Don't think we should go overboard, any more than we should with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddism, Wicca or any of the other belief-systems. But I think a balanced course in religious education should be available as an academic subject, and should include atheism as a genuine way of living, yes.
2007-05-12 13:13:19 · answer #1 · answered by mdfalco71 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Kids are taught of what beliefs exists out there and what acts/practices those beliefs entail, if any. There are no particular endorsements for one religion or another, atheism included. So whatever little kids are taught of in school is enough. In middle school we were introduced to the idea of other people being different and having different ideas, such as atheism. Although I suppose you could have private atheist schools prop up in the next 25 years or so.
2007-05-12 12:59:35 · answer #2 · answered by samosachutney 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No , but we should have stuck to our forefathers principals and beliefs..We don't have the same set of morals or standards to look up to as there was in those days...Bible was optional but was in the libraries to read if you wanted to... Allot more teachers were Christians way back when and learning was more efficient ... If you are offended by the beliefs of this country then you shouldn't be here ....
The funny thing about atheism is that when a person with supposedly no belief in God gets into trouble or is hurt most of them cry out to Him...
I don't believe in atheism but I do believe in good and evil ...
2007-05-12 13:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by blahblah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither religion nor atheism should be taught. In their respective absolute ways, they are both arrogant and unwarranted opinions. The statement that God does not exist is exactly as wrong as the statement that God does exist. Religion is much more elaborately and dishonestly professed, however.
Agnosticism should be taught in schools. Agnosticism is honest.
2007-05-12 14:43:09 · answer #4 · answered by Frog Five 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Religion is mythology, and if taught, it should only be presented as literature.
Atheism is a disbelief in God. God or no God, the subject does not belong in any public school curriculum's.
2007-05-12 12:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since when is it the norm for religious beliefs to be taught in schools?
Neither religion nor atheism should be taught in schools, and neither religion nor atheism should be forbidden in schools.
2007-05-12 12:53:07 · answer #6 · answered by NONAME 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
atheism isn't a religion or set of beliefs other than a lack of belief in a god. I don't think the topic needs to be addressed at school at all, as it opens up the religion can of worms.
2007-05-12 12:53:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What schools are you going to? Religion (at least here in the U.S) can only be taught in private schools, not public schools. So if your being taught religion in school odds are pretty good you belong to that religion or your parents belong to it and are paying for you to learn about it.
2007-05-12 12:54:28 · answer #8 · answered by Calista 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is to be taugh? Atheism is just the lack of belief. That's like teaching kids to have a lack of belief in Santa Claus. However, I do agree it should be discussed in religion curriculumns.
2007-05-12 12:54:12 · answer #9 · answered by Alucard 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Currently atheism (well by atheism I mean secular beliefs which is no belief in the divine) is being taught, unless you go to a religious school. In which case it your decision to go to that school.
2007-05-12 12:55:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋