Do you think religion should be taught in public schools? Why or why not?

Question

Not just one religion would be taught in the school.

hmmmm.... so far I've seen some pretty interesting answers....

Answer 1

No.That is what church, Sunday school, and parents are for.

Answer 2

Don't believe those people who talk about 1st amendment business. The 1st amendment is in place to make sure the government does not create a "state church." A state church enforces government policies and ensures that all churches follow the established beliefs and practices. Of course, public schools teach religion anyway. You may not have noticed though because they do not use the same words as Christianity. Instead public school teaches the religion of state where by honor is bestowed to the government as the supreme authority of the land (sound familiar yet?). These public schools undermine culture and productive thought because they promote simple reasoning that is geared toward the state solving the problem for you. The real question here is why should public schools exist at all? When the first public schools were implemented here in the country there were riots in the streets. Why do you suppose that is? Because the idea is subversive to the concepts of free thought and to equality. Again, you may want to consider asking instead, Why should public schools exist at all?

Answer 3

I send my son to school to learn how to read and write. I will teach him the families religion at home. This is how I believe religion should be taught. By the parents in the home.

We are Wiccan. Religion is a very personal thing. I don't feel it can be handled properly in a school setting. Also there are so many different religions how would they address the teaching of each one? Not all families are of one religion... so how would the school system address the teaching of religion in a single classroom to a diverse group of children? If say 1 of the children where muslim, 8 christian, 2 wiccan, 1 catholic, 1 buddist, 2 jewish and a the rest claimed no religion what so ever?

I think this is simply to diverse a thing to be taught in public schools. That is why there are so many different churchs all over the place. To serve the wide variety of people and the different religions they chose to practice.

Its just not something you can meld into a single class in a school room unless you are will to teach of many religions at one time. You are gonna tick off too many people in trying because you will be able to cover their religion.

And face folks, I know you don't want to believe this, but there are more religions in the world then just Christianity...and the sooner you accept the closer you will come to true understanding.

Blessings,
Aviana

Answer 4

Well, let's think for a second. What religion are they going to teach? Christianity because the majority of the people in the US are Christian. (I'm talking about the US cause this issue is hot here).

Imagine being a Hindu or an atheist and being taught intelligent design. The ideas outlined in intelligent design are completely opposed to science and are based on Christian, and more generally, monotheistic beliefs.

Basically you'd be forcing people to learn something that they don't believe in. If you don't believe in evolution you still have to learn it because it is taken as scientific fact. Whereas all religions fall under the category of myth.

For those that think that it can be taught along side other religions.....can you really handle your kids learning about Voodoo and luciferianism? Religion is best left for the university setting.

Let intelligent design explain why humans and chimps share 98% of the same DNA and why I have an appendix.

Answer 5

well, it is right now, but how it should be. You know, they discuss the facts of religion, as in that JEWS believe in 1 God, BUDDHISTS believe in multiple gods, etc. It really is important that they get the factual information- not BELIEFS FROM the religion, but the simple facts OF what they believe in. Its a touchy subject just because if the teacher shows the SLIGHTEST bit of favoritism towards or against a religion theres a big issue, so all they can do is state what the religion and figures as a whole believe, not what the teacher him/herself believes. I think its very important to address religions, because prejudices start when people don't HAVE that factual background of what religions truly believe in. Also, it's really important when studying history. All throughout history, even today in other countries and a bit in our own, life has been influenced by religion. Slavery was often justified by it, the conversions of the Native Americans were because of it, the Crusades, the list goes on.
So to answer your question, I think that an in depth analysis of religion is fine so long as no views expressed within or pertaining to the class shows favoritism towards a particular belief.

Answer 6

A Comparative Religion Class would be a nice thing to have in school.

But I think you would soon find that many Christian parents will kick up a hissy fit if their kids are being taught about the actual history of the Christian church, where the bible came from and their festivals and holidays. They also may not appreciate their children learning about Hinduism, Islam and pagan faiths.

It works in European countries because they have a cultural leaning towards a certain respect for free thinking. In America however, it will open a can of worms.

Answer 7

I think theology and philosophy should be taught. I'm amazed at how FEW Christians know anything at all about the origins of their own faith, much less anyone else's! Many think, for example, that Wiccan is evil, or Muslims are all taught to kill, or that Buddhists all believe in reincarnation! Teach the basics in high school, at least! And of course include ALL the major religions. Not a class in worshiping a single way, but a comparison study of origins, similarities, and divergences.

Answer 8

Comparative religion needs to be taught if people are to be truly educated. It's easy to believe in the only thing you've ever been taught and it is also easy to believe in the propaganda one religion lobs at another.

I see no problem with teaching that Christianity teaches this, Buddhism teaches that, and so on. It would be an issue only if the teacher said something like, "well, we know Christianity is the only true religion but lets learn about what the other idiots believe."

Answer 9

I'm an atheist but I think it should be taught. I'm not talking about one religion where the teacher teaches about that one religion as the right one. I'm talking about world history. Through out history religion has played a very important role. Every culture worshiped something or had a theory about how we got here. It's important to learn about world history. They could even teach about the bible and students could analyze it as a philosophy class. Politicians always use bible quotes in their speeches it would be good for people to understand.

Answer 10

As one other had said...only if in the historical context of religion and humanity. All religions and belief systems from cultures around the world from cavemen to modern man. In a historical, cultural context religions of the world are incredibly significant. Religion has been responsible from some very good deeds and fostering some brilliant minds...this should be taught. Religion has also been responsible for the majority of the worlds greatest atrocities...this should also be taught. It is irresponsible to ignore religion as it pertains to human culture and history.

Answer 11

Definitely not, it can confuse the kids for a start depending on their own and/or families beliefs. I remember being upset at school because my friend had to stand out in the corridor when we had assembly, and my kids being rejected from the churches when we had been unable to attend for various reasons, also they were baptised into the RC faith when my own church refused to christen them in an emergency (life threatening). The last incident was my daughter being refused admission to a C of E School if you please because we had moved into the area and had therefore not attended the church in that area! After that they refused to go to sunday school. How can we force therefore the grandchildren of the family into a situation where they are likely to become so detached from real life that they break nearly all the so called commandments anyway in the name of the faith! Let them learn tolerance and life skills before, then when they are old enough let them decide for themselves, as that is what democracy is about isn't it?