Public Schools?

Question

Okay, I'm asking for OPINIONS here.

Do you think that religious writings (of any kind) should be taught in public schools? If so, all religions? All major religions? Just one? Should they be taught as historical writings, or AS religious documents?

Of course, this will probably never happen with opposition of parents and such. Just a what if question.

Boomrat- Well, in my opinion it SHOULD be opened up for others...

Answer 1

As a junior high world history teacher, it is impossible to teach my subject without teaching about the Torah, Bible, and Qur'an.

I fully support the teachings of these books and about the major religions. The point of studying these books, then, is not to support or put down any particular faith. Rather, the point is to gain a more well-rounded education. You cannot be truly educated until you have at least a basic understanding of the world's enduring faiths.

A related question is, should teachers be required to teach about The Bible/Qur'an outside of History classes? I'm not so sure I would support this. There are simply too many problems that might arise with such a requirement. Would Christian parents support an in-depth teaching of Muhammad? Not sure many of them would.

Religion has to be part of a public school education. Religious conversion and in-depth religious study, however, should be done in Sunday school and catechism classes.

Answer 2

A brief overview of the main themes of the major religions would be useful from a social studies perspective. And in some ways the Bible would be a good text for students to study, since English literature is littered with Biblical allusion. But under no circumstances should any religion be presented as anything other than mythology. Students should study major religions in the same capacity that they study ancient Greek and Roman gods.

Answer 3

They should be taught in comparitive religions classes only. And they should teach from the texts of all the major world religions.

And they should be taught as both historical and as religious documents. (Though obviously only as an introduction to the religions, not as conversion attempts.)

Answer 4

I think that while I have no problem with ALL religions being taught in Public Schools, if for nothing more than to teach Religious Tolerance. I think that if you were to teach a religion in public school you would have to teach ALL the religions. Which would mean they would have to hire teacher's who are unbiased towards any religion and will teach them all with the utmost professionalism. Which could be costly.

Answer 5

I think World Religions should be offered either as an elective class, or as a subjective learning tool - with no religion being taught as fact.

The more education there is in this field, the more likely we will be to reduce the ill-effects of religious dogma.

Answer 6

Depends on the class.

Should they be taught in Science class? No.

But if you were to offer a World Religion class, absolutely.

You could also offer courses in Christian Theology, which only discuss Christian religious issues. Heck, you could have a Zoroastrian, Zen Buddhist, Wiccan and Greek Mythology class too.

I would have absolutely no problem with this. I could even see possibly making the World Religion class mandatory.

Answer 7

I see nothing wrong with religious writings being taught as historical documentation. This should include ALL religions though, with absolutely NO bias.

Brightest Blessings

Answer 8

I believe they should be taught about.
Most textbooks that teach history are composed of war.
I was skimming through an American History book just the other day and it failed to mention the thousands and thousands of Native Americans the Europeans slaughtered off in order to found this "great nation". In place of these events it told of Christopher Columbus' "discovery".

We would be much better off teaching children about hope; whether it be religous or not. If they oppose of teaching holy books, they could always teach the philosophies of Confucious or even MLK Jr.

Answer 9

I don't think they should be required but I would have no problem with a class that teaches Eastern Religions(Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Taoism, etc.) and Western Religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) As long as it taught in a scholarly fashion, i.e. "Religion A believes X,Y,Z." Not, "Religion B believes, P,Q,R and they're all going to hell for it."

Answer 10

Religion should be something that kids can find out about on their own. To teach religion in a public school as a course, where already it is a diverse demographic, would only cause division between the children.