I teach High School and my question is: Can I talk to students about religion if they ask me about it first? I am the Youth Director at my church and all the youth members go to my school so I feel confortable talking to them about religion but what about their friends who are not apart of our Youth Group?
2007-09-29 08:29:36 · 18 answers · asked by Coach K 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, let's be honest. If you know in your heart the TRUTH, then you have the resposibility to share the gospel. God did not say only share where allowed, he said to go into all parts of the world and share! By denying them, if they ask, then you deny Christ. Look at it this way. What if one of your students asked you a question, and you denied them an answer, then at that moment, Christ returned or you fell over dead. what would God say to you? I knew you not, or enter in Good and Faithful servant. Be fauthful, SHARE!
2007-09-29 08:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by sassy.nurse 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
The only conversation that should occur in a school is that if a student asks proactively what religion you are, you should (if you are comfortable doing so) tell them simply and straight forwardly. A teacher does not abdicate their right to exist as a human being.
Any other question about it, however, should be deflected while on school time and school property. The student's parents should be involved in any discussion deeper than that.
2007-09-29 08:34:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are you talking to them about religion, or just Christianity? There is a huge field of religion that is not Christian.
If you speak about religion as what people may believe and what the literature says, without pushing the idea that you think its true, it should be fine. There are many elective courses taught around the US on the Bible as a document, as long as the teacher does not try to proselytize. Even an Agnostic like me can recognize that a tremendous amount of our culture in the West has been influenced by Christianity, and people should be informed (again, without preaching).
On the other side, anyone, even in their own home, who tries to pass any of the Abrahamic traditions off to a child as truth, should be considered guilty of child abuse (teaching plain falsehoods to the impressionable).
2007-09-29 08:52:59 · answer #3 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Leagally I don't think you can and it could put your job at risk which I think is a shame. It's too bad that the public schools don't have a religious education program that they are required to take that teaches about all the major religions in the world as a way to help students understand why different people think the way they do.
2007-09-29 08:35:08 · answer #4 · answered by pepgurli 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should observe the spirit of the law. If they come to you, you have the right to discuss things, but you have the obligation to protect the students who are not part of your group. You need to be willing to say, "Let's wait until after school." Even if not written directly, by virtue of the Constitution, it's part of your employment contract. There's a difference between answering a quick question and leading a discussion group. Always err on the side of caution, not from cowardice, but from principle.
2007-09-29 08:38:46 · answer #5 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have a Constitutional properly suited to coach your man or woman faith and to desire in college, however the school (no rely if it particularly is a public college) can't lead prayers, prepare religious indoctrination, or sponsor religious events, because of the fact the form additionally says the government can't "set up" any faith-- in different words, the government will possibly no longer prefer any faith over the others, nor would it not require human beings to persist with any faith. Edit: "final time i checked the splendid court docket ruled that atheism is a faith, and the absence of god is obviously taught interior the school gadget..." i do no longer know of any splendid court docket ruling asserting atheism is a faith. are you able to quote the case? i'm no longer attentive to any public college that teaches "the absence of God." This became by no ability element of the curriculum interior the regularly occurring public faculties I attended, nor interior the state college I attended. you ought to have an extremely unusual public college.
2016-10-05 13:08:45 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell them that their questions are great and that you'd love to share what you know about God, but unfortunately the school has a policy of
don't feel uncomfortable talking about God, ever! just be wise and discerning when you deal with the world and its fears.
consider the types we have here - rabid atheists who would love a chance to hurt God through someone like you...
you don't know the homes where these seeking youth are being raised...just be the light that you are - planting seeds and watering souls...God will work the rest out...
2007-09-29 08:44:52 · answer #7 · answered by chieko 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you may not. You are a trusted teacher and they will believe whatever you tell them. You can only talk to kids about the subject you teach or guide them to go somewhere to discuss what they wish to discuss. You may NOT discuss religion with them on school grounds.
Invite them to your church if you wish to discuss religion with them.
2007-09-29 08:35:12 · answer #8 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should not. There are too many religions. If it is done for one, it must be done for all. The only instruction and counseling on religion should be done in the home or in the church.
2007-09-29 08:36:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
check with your individual school. where my brother teaches he can but limited and broad. he works very hard at enstilling religion in subtle ways - through his actions primarily and when the kids ask - how do you handle that or whatever - he explains HIS views - which happen to be religious in nature :)
2007-09-29 08:37:39 · answer #10 · answered by Marysia 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋