Christians: Why do the majority of you seem to want your religion tought in public schools?

Question

I would think that considering the number of different varieties of Christianity, you would be concerned about teachers providing conflicting beliefs to your own. Doesn't it worry you? Or have protestants become so seperated from their roots that they will accept any other protestant teaching so long as they are a "good Christian"?
I am at a loss to understand how Christians do not also feel their rights are threatened by the lack of seperation between church and state.

Answer 1

OK, let's see how many of us Christians actually want our religion taught in public schools. I am a Christian and I don't want Christianity taught in public schools and don't know of ANY Christians that do. I DO believe that Intelligent Design should be given as much attention as the theory of evolution since they are both possibilities and neither are proven as fact, but do not see that as teaching Christianity (teaching Creationism would be).

Answer 2

Where else could you find a state sanctioned captive audience of young impressionable minds?

For all those who think schools are prohibiting prayer, I ask where do you get that idea? Any student can silently pray at anytime. No school prohibits private silent prayer. What some Christians want is organized group led prayer. Only Christian oriented group led public prayer. Ask if they are willing to permit group led Islamic, Buddhist, Jewish, or other religious prayers.

Creationism is not a THEORY; it is a belief. The Big Bang Theory is a THEORY. Go look up the definition of theory before you claim the schools aren't teaching it.

Answer 3

Having christianity taught in schools allows the faith of children to grow in a safe environment. Though some teachers may have different views to the parents, e.g fundamentalist/conservative, during the lessons the students are allways activly encouraged to choose their own view after being presented with a range of possibilities. If the parents want the children to just believe the same as them then they can drill the message into their children at home and the child will not be swayed once shown other possibilities at school.

Answer 4

I am wondering what you mean by Christians wanting their religion taught in public schools. Are you referring to teaching creation? If you are, then I would say that Christians want Creation taught just like evolution is taught. I do not believe in evolution (if you want to believe you are related to a stinky ape, that's your prerogative), but it is taught in school as if it is the only way we could have gotten here. I want creation taught as an alternative.

Now, as far as actually teaching Christianity in the public schools, I haven't met any Christian that wants that, so I am curious as to where you are getting your information. If Christianity is taught in public schools, then there are a lot of other religions that would be taught in public schools to make things appear more fair. There's no time or place for that in public schools. Religious beliefs and teaching fall on the parents, not the public schools.

Answer 5

I believe I can answer that: As a child growing up in the late 50s and early 60s, we set aside time to say the Pledge of Alleigance, prayed before eating, and were disciplined by our teachers if out of line which didn't happen often, as parents often backed up the teacher. Many of us, though not all, were raised in Christian homes.

On Wednesdays, at school. students who were registered for it ahead of time, were released to "religious instruction". This was a public school. Because these values were taught, there was little in the way of crime or violence to deal with.

These attitudes made school safer, more respectful and fostered a better learning environment.

We didn't have computers or the Internet or cell phones, or Police patroling the halls and parking lots. We didn't need them.

Christian values were taught, right from wrong, and no grey areas, no bad language issues, no one pulled a knife or a gun on their classmates or teachers.

There is nothing wrong with Christian teaching, unless you are confusing doctrines with basic teaching. Example: Catholic vs Protestant, (doctrine) or just basics: Obey your parents, respect authority, don't lie, cheat or steal or kill. Treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. These are basics not only to Christian attitude, but also as skills for life.

It's up to parents to choose what is appropriate for schools to teach, not the schools themselves.

If my kids were taught the basics in public school, learning about other religions wouldn't be an issue because their roots are at home.

Great question!!!

Answer 6

Well, gee, at our last meeting...

"Christians" are not one big, homogenous group. Also, that "majority" you're speaking of is not a true majority. There are organizations who are vocal about their viewpoint, and make a lot of money selling it. This is true of organizations who identify themselves as "conservative Christian" and others presenting different views, btw.

The people running those organizations need to rally the troops around something or they're out of their jobs.

I do get tired of people talking about "you Christians" as though we were one big group that held weekly meetings. Viewpoints vary widely from person to person and from sect to sect - that's why Christianity comes in so many flavors.

I don't know how "we" feel about anything because I know for sure that the Christians I know disagree about many things. We agree about one thing - that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins. Beyond that, some feel that teaching some version of religion, if only "the Golden Rule," would help kids to think about the impact of their choices.

Others feel that religion should be taught in history classes, as it does influence history and human behavior.

Still others feel that it's nervous-making to teach religion in schools because there's no guarantee your view will be the one in power.

See what I mean? I know it's comfortable to make generalized assumptions, but it's also dangerous.

Answer 7

Because there is no true separation between church and state. There is no neutrality. This is only an illusion. The truth is that now there is the religion of liberalism that is taught in schools. If schools just taught academic facts, that would be one thing. Instead, they teach liberal religion which includes global warming, evolution, the big bang theory, racial tolerance, the difference between races (which is racism), and let us not forget the very cornerstone of liberal religion: that homosexuality is inborn and should be accepted as a valid form of behavior. This is why Christians want their views taught in schools; to counter other religious points of view.

Answer 8

I don't know if the "majority" of Christians want Christianity taught in public schools. I wouldn't make a sweeping conclusion like that . I am a Christian and prefer that my religion is taught to my child in Church.

Answer 9

I don't. I believe that religion, as you put it, is something to be taught at home, as sex education should be. I don't want religion in school and the separation of church and state is there to protect us from teachers running wild with it. I pray they don't get the 10 back, I believe I was saved by Grace, not the law.

Answer 10

I don't think religion belongs in public schools. Public schools are full of people who all believe something different. If you want religion to be part of your education, there are private schools and religion classes in high school and university. A silent moment to reflect is fine but the bible or another religious book does not belong in a public school.