There is suppose to be a separation but public schools still have religious teachings. They justify this by saying it's history, they just can't preach it. But in choir I had to sing songs about god and write essays about the difference between different religions. So is there really a separation or are they preaching in other ways? And Why should these "historic" teachings be forced upon non-believers?
2007-11-25 19:45:50 · 19 answers · asked by ... 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i am an atheist let me say that to start-now i find that teaching about different religions should be part of our schooling as that is part of our history and should be in school-teaching that you have to believe in a religion should not be taught-in answer to separation of church and state we still dont have that fully yet as there are laws who have have justification other than religious grounds and should be overturned or removed-maybe someday this will happen---just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the night
very good question
2007-11-25 19:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not sure which country you're writing about.
Where I live there is separation of church and state.
I believe everyone should learn about different religions though. I home school my baby and I'll teach her about the benefits and draw backs of religion, as well as the history. - It's an important concept. I'll encourage her to partake in all religious ceremonies, other then her own. So long as that's not disrespectful. 'Non-believers' ( I'm not exactly sure what that means. I'm an atheist but I believe in my philosophy. ) should learn about beliefs also.
Now let's be logical for a moment, shall we dear?
The public school system is antiquate to suit every ones needs. It's not realistic to expect for them to have different rooms just for each religion or lack thereof. If you want that, go to a private school or home school.
--Buddhist.
2007-11-25 19:58:21 · answer #2 · answered by ✡ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The study of religions is part of history and without it you would be that much more uneducated. It would be like a medical student learning about medicine without ever dealing with a body.
You do not understand the separation of church and state very well--it doesn't mean no civic mention of any kind of religion. There are things that we all don't like about living in a society--I don't like seeing violence on TV, on the news, in the trailers at the movies, etc. but that is part of living. You should really contemplate why you have such a hair-trigger reaction to any mention of religion. Your "rights" are tempered with responsibilities.
2007-11-25 20:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anna P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think there is an actual separation. Obviously, from your post, there really isn't. Also, most of what the bible portends to be historic has no actual place in history. This is how the government is attempting to homogenize society. We really need to get away from the two party sytem and recognize the other parties so we can have an intelligent goernment. As opposed to the debacle we have now with Dub-Ya and that crowd.
2007-11-25 21:20:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What, you don't realize that religion, especially "Christians" played an overwhelming role in the history of the United States of America?
You had to compare various religions? So that means... oh forget it.
As far as I'm concerned, I think Christians would do well not to put up such a political fuss and spend more time interceding on the behalf of the country.
Gypsy Priest
2007-11-25 19:54:49 · answer #5 · answered by Gypsy Priest 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, if there was you'd be able to buy alcohol on a SUNday here. If you sell alcohol on a SUNday from your store in my town the religious police will arrest you. Just look at all the money they've given "faith based" funding... so they could buy off all the lying churches.
I've been to some churches and saw the indoctrination first hand. I went to one and the preacher out of the blue went into some story about a sniper in Vietnam, trying to drum up some support for war and killin. Who would Jesus snipe lol? hahah
2007-11-25 20:03:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there really is separation. We don't make laws and public policy based on the bible--we do it with democracy, man.
Learning history is necessary to gain understanding of the present, and religions have had a major part in shaping the world that we live in.
As far as singing about God in choir, would you really want them to reject the classics simply because they mention God? Even a die hard atheist like myself can't advocate that.
2007-11-25 19:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dont you think that religion plays an incredibly important role in history and in the world today? How can you accurately study history, or even the world today, without studying religion? Could you ever really understand what was going on over in the middle east if you didnt have at least a basic understanding of the Islamic religion?
People that want to take any reference to religion in school, even when it is being taught in a historical context clearly havent studied enough in school to realize how important it is we have a basic understanding of religion and its history in this world.
2007-11-25 19:55:11 · answer #8 · answered by cadisneygirl 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Non-believers don't have to be uneducated! We should soak in all the information of every topic we can manage. When I was in school and joined the choir, we learned some of the most magnificent hymns in existence, but I didn't get all religious from singing them. And I've studied all of the major religions and philosophy. It didn't turn me towards religion, but it sure helps you discuss religion more eloquently when you need to.
Just tell anyone who seems to be trying to convert you, "You can cram all the religion down my throat you like, but you're wasting your time."
.
2007-11-25 20:07:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol...you wrote essays in choir? just kidding..but writing essays ABOUT the differences between different religions hardly qualifies as 'forced' religious teachings...if you are to understand a society, it is necessary to understand the religions of that society, as well...it is NOT necessary to accept the precepts of any of them...i guess you could have your studies without any reference to religion whatsoever, and you could also have algebra without equations, but you'd likely end up picking up stray cans on the side of the road...are you in school to learn or to reinforce your own beliefs or non-beliefs? perhaps you missed the part where the teacher explained that learning ABOUT something is not the same as participating IN that thing
2007-11-25 20:01:48 · answer #10 · answered by spike missing debra m 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋