What do you think is more important--religion or education?

Question

Please dont give any neutral responses!I know that for most people both are equally important....but I'd like to take a note of which is more important to the people of this century...and its a question i've always wanted the answer to...

Answer 1

Dear Sister, education without religion is like a ship moving without any direction. Someone can educate someone about robbing a bank but it is religion which tells you that robbing is a sin.

Answer 2

Education, first and foremost. While I agree that both are important, each have their place. Religion should be taught in the home, and in the church, temple, mosque, sangha, coven, etc. Public schools are for education. Now, I'm not suggesting censorship -- the students should have the right to express any beliefs they have. However, the religious beliefs of a few should not get in the way of an education. Science should be taught in a science classroom, and a few religious fanatics should not be telling science teachers what to teach and what not to teach. The United States is behind the rest of the Western world in Science Education, and the ID movement is part of the problem. Religion has no place in a Science classroom, but I am not suggesting keeping religion out of school entirely. I feel that an understanding of the various religions of the world is an important part of education. Too many people are religiously illiterate. An understanding of other cultures and beliefs gives us insight into how and why other people think and behave the way that they do. And all religions should be covered, no exceptions.

Answer 3

I was educated at a religious school.
From K-6, I attended a Lutheran school. After that, I entered the public school system. I was totally shocked. Even when I went to high school, they were still teaching math I had learned in the third grade.
As the public school system is really an atheist school system, it is eye opening to see how much the state does not care about education.
All this aside, I think that it is real important fro each person to understand, that, just because certain things are taught in school, doesn't necessarily make them true.
Subjects like math, reading, writing, are 100% trustworthy and useful for having a successful life.
Subjects like foreign language, biology, science, foreign cultures, really have no bearing on a person's life post graduation-unless the person is actually going into a field where that information would be used.

Education would be better for all, if vocational training, with actual work experience was started much earlier than it is now. Also, the concept of 'spring break', summer break', 'christmas break', are totally insane.
In the real world, those that have jobs do not get to take 4 months off every year, so why should students?

Answer 4

Education

Answer 5

No religion is without education. You need to be educated.
Bookish knowledge is not needed for salvation.
But to go any where in this world you must have education.
Like kabir says:
Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye
Translation
Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise
My Understanding
To understand this doha in its true perspective is important. We all read and now with tremendous media exposure, we are seemingly more informed. Everyone seems to know everything. Yet, the truth is that inspite of all this information, there is no awareness. We are not at peace. There is a lot of frustration all around. Our minds are not quiet and relaxed. We talk of Love but have no compassion. Selfishness, greed, fear, hatred and similar tendencies seem to grip us all the time. Why?
I have found myself in this quagmire a number of times.
Kabir in this doha shows the way, in his simple but dynamic style. He daringly says that despite all our readings, despite all our knowledge, we cannot become wise. Only if we 'read' Love, become loving and loveable, only then wisdom will dawn on us. Only then Life will be worth living.

Answer 6

The question as stated uses the term "religion", and not that of Spirituality. Since religion cannot help the Soul rise above the Law of Karma, and education can, education is the more important.

If the question was between education and Spirituality, then Spirituality would be the more important... because pursuing Spirituality will eventually provide ones Soul the method of escape from "Life".

Education, if confined to use of ones brain and thinking will also prevent one from discovering the mystical secret that can only be intuited. So, if ones desire is to cease the continuing birth and rebirth into Life, then Spirituality is the more important because contained in Spirituality is the "secret" to how the Soul can rise above the illusion of Life and return to its Home with God.

Peace

Answer 7

Education.

Answer 8

Education is 100 times more important than religion. Education teaches basic information and mental skills, nourishes the intellect and prepares people for careers. Religion advocates explaining reality with mythology and polarizes people against each other. There's a reason why the government requires children to go to school and not church. Society needs education. And I think societal advancement is impeded by religion.

Answer 9

Hi=D I know you don't want a neutral answer, but the truth is I have no other option. In Islam (please restrain from rolling your eyes DX) Religion is pretty much the base of your soul. Your guidelines to life. However, God encourages us to learn all of our lives! How awesome is that?! The Bible is fool of loopholes and errors because it was told over a series of time. The Quran was written directly form God over about 20 some years. Look it up if you are interested in it.

Answer 10

Your question is like who is more important, father or mother?
Education is what that teaches you WHERE to use ur mind.
Religion is what that teaches you HOW to use your mind.
Many equate education with a tool you can use for your living.
In fact religion educates you to do all the other things in life.

PLease do not consider...

education only as means of earning ur living.
religion as only ameans of worshipping god.

I hope that matter is a bit clear now.

Answer 11

Religion is a category of eduction; however, not all educational pursuits are of equal value. As fathers we have a responsibility to provide for our families, and we have a responsibility to qualify ourselves to serve one another, but I don't think anything is more important than understanding our true relationship with God and learning what he has to teach us.