Tradionally, why is education looked down upon in Christianity?

Question

if you don't think it is then give your reasons

I am talking about by the religion itself. We live in a secular country and lots of ppl do things w/o referring back to their religion. sheesh If the majority of the country and goes to school it does not mean that christianity is pro-education. quit trying to read things that are not there.

it's supposed to say ...if the majority of the country is christian and goes to schoo....

i said TRADITIONALLY! it was - they teach this in jr.high school history at public schools

many of the great minds and thinkers were not truly christian--they were christian by name only because they would have gotten in trouble for what they did---until the time of reformation---and then some ppl went backwards again -- some ppl understood this question others did not--i may rephrase it

Mr Obvious, you OBVIOUSLY understood my question.

that is what the vatican says NOW

Answer 1

People people. Please. Education can be looked down upon in Christianity and you can still have "smart Christians."

The fact is, the principle of "religious faith" is anti-education. It is not based on evidence, or reason. Just believe it, because we said so. God Did It, that's it. So that's the basic answer.

The more specific answer, which only applies to some Christians goes like this. Some "fundamentalist" Christians discourage education in the sciences because they believe certain areas of science (like evolution) to be a lie. Some even discourage learning in many more areas over fears that their kids will become liberal Christians (or atheists!) instead of "Young Earth Creationist, the Bible is Inerrant" True Christians.

Now going back to my first point, a Christian can be smart, they can even be a science genius, but that is because of compartmentalization. If that person used their critical thinking skills, their skills of reason, when dealing with Christianity, their belief system would collapse. So the person shuts off part of their brain when they deal with religion. In other parts of their lives, they think critically. Compartmentalization.

Note that some religious people do not compartmentalize and use no critical thinking skills whatsoever.

Answer 2

I think that many evangelical Christians think that their children will be subjected to bad influences. I think that they perceive the concept of not allowing religion in schools as hedonistic and wrong. I also think that they do not want their children to hear about evolution. Many of the more militant home school their children, because they can focus the curriculum more on religion. I think they are doing a huge disservice to their children when that happens because they deprive them of choices and the ability to make up their own minds on topics; to say nothing of depriving them of socialization.

However, many Christians do advocate for public education and send their children to public schools. It's the ones that don't want their children to be exposed to alternate ways of thinking and think that if God is not praised at all times, the educational system is anti-Christian that are opposed to the traditional educational system. It is disturbing that these people are the ones teaching their children, because they are basically teaching intolerance and this is what their children will learn.

Answer 3

Maybe because the current education system discounts religious ideas...

Personally, my religion encourages education. We feel that knowledge is one of the few things we can take with us when we die, and what we gain in this life puts us that much further ahead in the next leg of the race.

Answer 4

I didn't realize it was. It just isn't stressed as being that important. A person doesn't have to have a college education to be a Christian. Christianity doesn't require intelligence, only faith.

However, there are many intelligent Christians, who think that education is a necessity. I put a lot of importance on education; not necessarily in order for one to be a Christian, but simply because it's required for a good job.

Edit: I think people misunderstood my answer. I AM a Christian, and I've found both educated AND uneducated Christians. Knowledge is important, but it isn't required to be a Christian. Many Christians rely on faith alone.

Answer 5

You are wrong. It isn't. This is what the Vatican has to say on education.
DECLARATION ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
All men of every race, condition and age, since they enjoy the dignity of a human being, have an inalienable right to an education (5) that is in keeping with their ultimate goal,(6) their ability, their sex, and the culture and tradition of their country, and also in harmony with their fraternal association with other peoples in the fostering of true unity and peace on earth. For a true education aims at the formation of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good of the societies of which, as man, he is a member, and in whose obligations, as an adult, he will share.

Therefore children and young people must be helped, with the aid of the latest advances in psychology and the arts and science of teaching, to develop harmoniously their physical, moral and intellectual endowments so that they may gradually acquire a mature sense of responsibility in striving endlessly to form their own lives properly and in pursuing true freedom as they surmount the vicissitudes of life with courage and constancy. Let them be given also, as they advance in years, a positive and prudent sexual education. Moreover they should be so trained to take their part in social life that properly instructed in the necessary and opportune skills they can become actively involved in various community organizations, open to discourse with others and willing to do their best to promote the common good.
Parents who have the primary and inalienable right and duty to educate their children must enjoy true liberty in their choice of schools. Consequently, the public power, which has the obligation to protect and defend the rights of citizens, must see to it, in its concern for distributive justice, that public subsidies are paid out in such a way that parents are truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for their children.(20)

Answer 6

my children go to a christian school, and it is proved by the standardized test that it's much more advanced than a public school. the curriculum is christian and very advanced in all areas.

most of the Christian's school education is very advanced. as a christian i think it is very important to be educated. especially, with the bible so that you are able to reply to misconceptions.

Answer 7

Ya, I don't really see a connection. Traditionalism in itself stifles education, in any ideology.

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The most Christian people I ever met were in Indonesia (a majority Muslim country), and they also had some of the best Universities there. With students who are both Christian and Muslim.
Most of the better schools in Indonesia are religious (Christian or Muslim schools) that is why most people try to go to them. Even here in the US many parents try to send their kids (regardless of religion) to catholic school.

So I would say religion does not look down on education

Answer 8

Because education is like bringing a powerful flashlight into a dark room. You'll learn that things can be rationally explained, that boogeymen and the great sky marshal doesn't exist. Christianity and religion need boogeymen and great fear-provoking skymarshals to keep the lemmings fearful. Education alliviates the fear...and that's why they don't like it...

Answer 9

Education is looked down upon by Christianity? Gee, all those colleges that Christians built and run must have been a total waste of time.

Myself, I am currently in a doctorate study of theology. I am a life-long learner. Just about everyone I know is also in some type of study.

Answer 10

Dear Fez,

No! Christian universites and college are some of the best in the nation. Their graduates usually make some of the highest salaries in the corporate world. I'm sure you have heard of Notre Dame, or DePaul, or St. John's.