Is it actually correct to have Religious Education in class ?

Question

As I mean to say, something that's actually in the learning plan issued by the government... I think there's not enough time to learn youngsters what they should, let alone that nonsense.

Answer 1

they should have psychology classes instead - that they would benefit much more from.

Answer 2

Religions have been part of almost every culture since the dawn of time. Furthermore -- often times, religions are "the defining characteristic" of the culture.

Therefore, to study cultures without religion is to distort reality.

Now -- you may not believe in any particular religion yourself; fair enough. But you have to admit that religions are relevant at least because others have made it relevant.

Apart from cultural and historic reasons, there may also be psychological reasons to study religions. For example, is man inherently religious? Inherently prone to search for some sort of divine love? At least, the Greeks appeared to believed so. They called this "agape." There is no word that corresponds to this in English.

Lastly, it is good that people know about religion in order to help curb ignorance. With religious education removed from the public educational system, most people are brainwashed into thinking a lot of factually untrue statements:

Religions are responsible for most of the world's problems;
Religions cause more harm than good;
Christians "hate" gays;
Christians stifle the progress of science;
There is no scientific theory other than evolution;
"Intelligent design" is the same as "Creationism"
A crucifix is a symbol of hatred,

etc...

We get this army of zombies completely ignorant about religion, who then go on to persecute the religious. It's not their fault they are ignorant; they have only heard one side of the story.

If education is really about educating, why settle upon ignorance?

Answer 3

Many responders have misunderstood the idea of Religious Education and assume that it would teach one doctrine above another. That is the business of Theology and Religious Instruction, which is quite a different matter!

I think that Religious Education should be part of the curriculum as an element of social studies. Not only does religion (whatever one's own personal view of it) play a large role in the formation of a society's morals and politics, an awareness of spirituality (not necessarily a belief in a God) is, I believe, a necessity which is often sadly lacking in the education of youth today.

Religious Education needs to be sensitively programmed (and I believe that it can be done) to broaden children's minds to the world and to the reasons behind many people's actions - I am thinking of great men and women like Gandhi and Helen Keller, whose religious beliefs played a large part in the formation of their character, rather than certain terrorist factions, whose beliefs apparently also determine their actions.

The subject should cover the history of religion and its meaning in today's world. It should aim to educate young people to tolerate other's beliefs and it should also encourage the personal exploration of morality and spirituality.

The curriculum would need to be written in detail and seen to be adhered to by teachers chosen for their impartiality. As several have pointed out, a bad choice of teachers of the subject might well lead to a bigoted interpretation of the curriculum.

Answer 4

I think it would be a good idea to have a comparative religion class that teaches about all the major religions and their branches along with the arguments against religion.

Though it would have to be truthful and teach the bad parts about religion as well as what the believers in those religions would want taught which could make it unpopular with some people (who might also not want the arguments against religion taught).

Answer 5

I DO AGREE THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT LEARNING EVERYTHING THEY SHOULD(for example classes to prepare seniors to live on there own, and budget money would b great!!) but i do not think religion should be taught either... there would b way too many problems and contoversy! i do think that there should b a class offered as mayb an elective to teach about diff. religions around the world... but i dont think parents would approve religion being taught to there children(as part of classes curiculum)... that is why we have churches! people choose what religion they want to follow and how much they would like to go! religion is a right and is not for the goverment,school systems, (or anybody for that matter) to shove down peoples throats!!! neways i hope i helped! <3

Answer 6

Since Religious Education tends to teach all religions, and as a cultural phenomena not as methods of salvation or of ways to find truth, it is not different than taking sociology or anthropology.

Religion is an inherent part of human culture, and is very important if you want to know how to effectively deal with people. If I blaspheme someone's religion, how likely is it that they will continue a business deal with me? Not very.

Knowing that I should take my shoes off when going into a temple, or which animals are considered holy, or who and where it is appropriate to touch are all vital to effectively interacting with another culture.

If you are refering to theology classes, those are usually limited to private schools, or are treated like any other philosophy class.

Answer 7

I think education on one of the most important and history changing things on the planet wouldn't be a bad idea. This isn't to say that we should be preaching but general education on world religions and issues I would support.

Atheist.

Answer 8

No. It is not OK. America was founded on freedom of religion, so it should not be taught in public schools.
Now, if they wanted to have a theology course that went through ALL the religions equally...then that might be OK. But not in early grades and it should be an elective.

Answer 9

If it is broad-based and impartial, yes. Like it or not, religion has been and still is a driving force behind culture, and unless one understands the basis of various belief systems and why people find them appealing, one cannot have a true understanding of the world we live in.

Answer 10

I would say yes if EVERY religion was discusssed with equal respect and digninty to the faith itself and to those who follow it. But unfourtunatly it is hard for some people to accept certain things. I do have to say no for the sake of Kids will be kids and the last thing we need is religiouse fights on the playground.

Answer 11

Considering religion (in general, not one particular religion) is such a driving force in society (policy making, art, history) I think it's important for kids to have some base knowledge of it in secular terms.