Does the absence of both critical thinking and the principle of skepticism being taught in schools in the US (and the UK) contribute to a rise in religious fundamentalism? Should we devote more time to teaching our future generations how to think about ideas critically and objectively?
2007-05-13 12:52:50 · 10 answers · asked by Om 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Pilgrim: Are you implying that creationism stands up to critical thinking whereas evolution doesn't? LOL :P
2007-05-13 12:56:58 · update #1
kclightman: You make an excellent point, which deserves a question of its own.
2007-05-13 13:02:20 · update #2
Absolutely we should. Only, it's a tough subject to teach. I didn't have any courses on it until college. I asked a bunch of teachers, and a question on here, what sort of things teach critical thinking, and everyone said, reading, and talk about what you read. But I think that would only work if the person asking the questions, can teach them to ask pointed, thoughtful questions. I wonder if this is a skill that is not easily passed on. I will do my best, however.
2007-05-13 12:58:06 · answer #1 · answered by KC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone would benefit from that. Especially in the search for the true religion of the Bible. Critical thinking and a healthy dose of skepticism would help to dismiss much of false religion today. The entire book of Proverbs is about teaching people to do just that. It says so in the opening paragraphs of the book.
2007-05-13 22:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't know what is going on in the schools these days. I can tell you that the education level and intelligence of most high school grads and, sad to say, even some college grads is right down the tube. They can not even speak a coherent English sentence. Every time I hear someone say "me and my friend are going down town" I just want to grab them by the throat and strangle them dead!! My tax dollars for THIS!!!
2007-05-13 19:57:05 · answer #3 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many atheists here have said that atheism is on the rise. It would seem to me then that the lack of those subjects leads not to Christian Fundamentalism but to atheism.
You guys can't have it both ways.
2007-05-13 20:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by John 1:1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a rise in religious fundamentalism? In the U.S.?
Maybe political\religious, fanicatical fundamentalism.
I'd like to see your sources.
2007-05-13 19:57:50 · answer #5 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good idea, but Christians won't like the idea of having to think critically.
2007-05-13 20:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you want to teach doubt. I think they are already being taught that through life lesson's.
2007-05-13 20:00:35 · answer #7 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of Christianities current problem(s) in the U.K. and U.S.A. is status quo (ism), so critical thinking may change that there.
2007-05-13 19:59:38 · answer #8 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The absence of critical thinking results in atheism, evolution and marxism.
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2007-05-13 19:55:02 · answer #9 · answered by s2scrm 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Absolutely we should.
2007-05-13 19:54:51 · answer #10 · answered by CHEESUS GROYST 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋