Should religion be taught at schools?

Question

yes or no and why?

Answer 1

Only as an elective course, and only as a study of world beleif systems - not as TRUTH.

Answer 2

Not at all. I also don't think creationism or evolution should be taught either because it leads into religious discussion. I am Pagan and am raising my children as pagan, but I am also teaching them about the various religions that are out there. That way when they are adults they can make up their own minds intelligently without some zealot cramming their beliefs down their throats. Religious /Spiritual teaching is best taught at home. I also don't think Spanish should be a required course in high schools, society has enough problems with English. But that's another rant entirely. Blessed Be

Answer 3

Well, at public schools - no. That is the job of parents to teach. But at the same time, I do not believe that the antiquated school system that we have in the US today is working. Therefore I advocate homeschooling for all children. Then, yes indeed religion should be taught in school.

Answer 4

Yes, I think it should be taught at schools. In many cases, children choose the religion they want to believe in because their parents told them to believe in that religion. If different religions were taught, children can analyze each one and find out the truth for themselves. Schools shouldn't promote certain religions, they should just explain each of them. Good question, by the way.

Answer 5

Considering how many problems are caused by ignorance and misunderstandings of religion, I say yes!! Religion is a big part of culture, and to remain ignorant of it is to stifle an educational opportunity.

Religion is behind a lot of events in history, both good and bad. To ignore it is to not teach the whole story. I believe that a fair and balanced course on religion should be taught, just like history is taught.

Many kids who have grown up with no exposure to Christianity take their "knowledge" of it from the tv and that view is nothing like the view that I got growing up in it. The media presents a false image of my religion, so I can assume that it presents a false image of others as well.

There is nothing wrong with education, it only helps us to grow and to be able to work with our surroundings better. Ignornace just breeds conflict.

Answer 6

ONLY if it's taught ABOUT. You can teach about religions without claiming one as better than the other. I've taken world religion classes at the college level and I don't think any of it is above the heads of high school kids.

Answer 7

Children from a young age must have the oppurtunity to study the Holy Bible (w/ New Testament).
At the very least it is History, and if it is so very impotent than it cannot cause control-probelmatic in the ill.
But the truth is the children are starving for it and this is the reason for high violence and teen pregnancy, drug abuse etc..
Why do you think the Jews suffer these less? Because at the least they're learning of the power of the Old Testament from
Mother (at home).

Answer 8

Not as a mandatory class.

Religious belief can be taught at home or in the churches. Religion shouldn't be banned from schools, if the students want to have prayer meetings or whatever that's cool, but it should not be part of the cirriculum unless it's an elective, and even then only as a study of religions, not teaching religion as truth.

Answer 9

No. IMHO religion should be taught at home if it is to be taught at all, but if religion must be taught in schools, then it should be by studying all faiths equally. The child is then equipped to choose or discard later in life. By indoctrinating young minds with our flawed beliefs we will be continuing to fuel wars and cause hatred in future generations. Let's teach our kids to celebrate their differences and live together in friendship and understanding.

Answer 10

Comparative religion, as part of history, or Biblical allusions in literature, sure. You need to know why the Pilgrims were leaving England, why the Crusades happened, and what Shakespeare and Steinbeck meant, for instance. Comparative religion, done right, could also be good to help kids understand each other and the world around them. They may be going off to fight wars in unfamiliar places, or at least do business there, so it could really help. But I don't want it in science class, and I don't want kids to feel like they *have* to be Christian or like they're weird if they're not.

Answer 11

If it's an alternate or opposing view to evolution or the big bang theory and THOSE are being taught, "religious" or not it should be offered as an elective. It touches the same subject matter of HOW WE ALL CAME ABOUT.
IF an course teaches a subject that opposes or undermines a persons religious beliefs (which is one of our freedoms) people should have the ability to choose a course that is more in line with their beliefs. No one has ever perished from not learning evolution.
We need a respectful balance, right now we have NONE.