Do you believe that religion should be taught in public school?

Question

Not preached, solicited, or put down, Students would learm ABOUT world religion in a single class. Of course, not all religions could be taught, but the most adhered to belief systems would be taught. I believe that the lack of teachers and money could be overcome, since I also believe that a class like this is becoming very important to our society. Also, I think it should be a choice class for high school students, since younger pupils may have more unstable beliefs.

Answer 1

absolutely essential. I agree with your point about younger pupils too.

'Religion' is a 'teachable subject' in many jurisdictions - that means that university students studying education can study pedagogy of religion and be certified to teach it (like English, Science, Physical Education, Social Studies, etc). It might alleviate the difficulty of finding teachers if 'guest lecturers' were brought in to present particular topics of particular religions. Then the teacher could lead a discussion about it. The teacher would have to be very skilled at leading such discussions, since some students could have very strong opinions. But then most teachers are very skilled at what they do anyways.

Answer 2

I would be curious as to what this class would accomplish? A general acceptance of a variety of beliefs? If you limited it to the 5 most popular religions we would be teaching:

1) Roman Catholic
2) Muslim
3) Hindu
4) Buddhism
5) Protestant

The Jewish faith would barely rank in the top 10.

Point being, while it's good to obtain a general understanding of why others have different beliefs, with limited funding and time for a variety of other activities (arts, sciences, history, etc) where would such a class be inserted into the curriculum? What would be lost? Would we remove a part of history and counter it with a religious understanding of other cultures? Perhaps an education in political systems and history would next be required for us to better understand the viewpoints and political motives of each nation?

I'm not against the suggestion as long as it's educating on a belief system based on proven facts. I am against a system that uses it to educate on religious "facts" based purely on the beliefs of a culture and not on proven facts as documented by science and history.

In short: understanding the background and history of a people with their religious beliefs is great, preaching the religious beliefs as fact is not. Their "belief" is a fact, if these "beliefs" are indeed fact is something for each person to decide on their own.

Answer 3

No. Public schools should be completely secular. Religion should be taught at church, or at home. In grade school, we did Bible readings as part of our morning exercises for a few years. I went to school with a girl who was a Jehovah's Witness, and she would stand in the hall for a few minutes during morning exercises. In high school, we learned about ancient religions in our history classes. That was about it. I never thought much about religion when I was in school--it was something I listened to for a few minutes a day, and since I was not raised in a religious home, I never paid much attention to the whole thing.

Answer 4

You have a very valid point, actually a few in your expanded question. Also a couple of posters have valid points.

I do think it's a plausible idea to teach religion as a subject with the idea as you have posed. I agree with one of the posters that it may even bring more tolerance to the students when they understand a little more about the different religions.

Maybe the best is to allow, but not force it into the curriculum. That way, if a school board feels it appropriate for their area, then they can add it.

Answer 5

No, I do not. College level, yes; private school, maybe; public school at any level, absolutely not. Some parents would find a lot to complain about, whether it be the religions that are included, the religions that are excluded, the way the class is taught, who teaches it, is the teacher totally unbiased, what textbooks and other reference materials are being used, etc. I also believe that the maturity of the students is a major factor, much more so than the stability of their beliefs. Also, at the college level parents and their beliefs would be far less of a problem.

Answer 6

My high school, it is a public school, actually has an elective like this already called Comparative Religions this is the course description

Description: This course is intended as an introduction to the philosophy of religion man's attempt to understand the world and his place in it. Class work will have three points of reference: primitive worship,Eastern religion and Semitic religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

Answer 7

When I first read the headline of your question, I immediately thought my answer would be, "Of course not- I believe in separation of church and state!" But after reading your expanded question, I changed my answer. I think a class on comparative religion would be great. It could increase tolerance amongst young people. Unfortunately, I think the biggest obstacle may be the students' parents, many of whom are not as open-minded as you and would not like their children's minds exposed to different religions, even in a neutral situation like a comparative religion class.

Answer 8

I always laugh when people say that religion isn't in our schools. It's there and it is seen. Teachers pray privately to themselves...read the bible on their breaks etc. It's seen in the love we hae for the children the smiles on their faces...etc.
If we can teach different cooking
cuisines.....different scientifiphilosophies.....different holidays celebrated around the world...different culural beliefs....we should also be able to teach different religions

Answer 9

I think religion should not be taught in public school. There is no need for it. If some one wants to learn about a religion then they can to that religions house of worship and learn all they want.
besides if public schools taught it they would probably get it all wrong, or just teach the stereo types.

Answer 10

I don't think religion should be taught in parochial schools, and, in point of fact, it isn't. That's really the problem.