Do you believe that school and Church should be separated?

Question

If you do, would you speak out if God was a big part of the book that is teaching Social Studies in your public school system?

Answer 1

I don't believe schools should teach religious doctrine.

I do believe students should be allowed to pray in school.

Answer 2

I think that church is church and school is school.

I think that no matter what happens, religion can never be removed from school because the religious take it with them wherever they go (as well they should).

I also believe that those of different religions or of no religion should be no more obligated to participate in alternative religious options as any other individual - especially where social individuality is supposed to be developed and celebrated: school.

People can get too caught up in the idea that school is all about book smarts and getting an academic education, but school is also where we develop social skills and personal individuality through contact with our peers. I think religious identification is a major asset to personal development, and because of that schools should encourage religious aspiration, but to enable the unique development of each pupil everyone should have the freedom to seek, practice, or abstain from any or all religions they themselves choose as individuals. If schools were to require mass participation in anything religiously specific, that would be hindering the essential maturation of personal identity in our youth.

LEARNING about varying religions is completely different, and probably a very good idea. However, because of the complexity (and sensitivity) that religions embody, religious studies are likely best left to college, and possibly high school, classes.

Answer 3

It depends on what exactly you mean. Should one faith dominate the school system? No. But is there any excuse for America's religious illiteracy? No. We DO need to be aware of what the world's religions teach. People don't even know the difference between the words "Muslim" and "Islam" (A follower of the religion, then the name of the religion) , or that the man they see wearing a turban is part of an Indian religion called Sikhism, and have never heard of Zoroastrianism- and they could easily have learned these things in school. I believe that schools should teach us about the world's faiths in an objective, academic way that makes us aware of what views are out there without actually promoting or discrediting any of them. After all, that is a strictly personal issue between the individual and God.

Answer 4

Absolutely, so long as we're talking about public schools. Religion is a matter between parents and children, and schools should be educating, not proselytizing. Children of a variety of cultures and religions attend school, and by teaching one religion, they are having their own disrespected.

Religion only belongs in public schools when talking about historical matters (why the pilgrims came to North America, etc) and in later years in comparative religion classes.

Answer 5

School and church *are* separated, at least in the US, unless you attend a church school.

I would object to an endorsement of religion in a social studies book. I wouldn't object to the study of religion in a social studies class.

Answer 6

Yes, it should definitely remain separated, just because the state needs to respect the rights of atheist or non-Christian students. If your social studies book is teaching about religion, it is probably not illegal, just intrinsic to the time period (or periods) that you're studying.

Answer 7

i think so because its such a sensitve matter and WAY too many arguments would break out and fights. in high school i took myth for an english class and some how half our topics would turn into religion and every1 used to leave class pissed off.

EDIT: we'd all get mad just because of different debates people eggin on otehr people about different matters of different religions and what not. the classroom was a mix of JW's christians catholics mormons and athiests/agnostics

Answer 8

I believe that the public school curricululm shouldn't be influenced by religious groups, or their dogma.

On to your question: Whether I spoke out in this hypothetical example would depend on the specifics. Are there any passages you can cite? It is very hard to speak generally.

Answer 9

The US education system has no place teaching religion.
Religion is the opposite of education.

Answer 10

To those that want schools to teach religion, do you really trust all teachers to teach your kids the religion you want them to learn? Would you like it if they taught Mormanism or Islam? If not then why do you think its ok to force Christianity down the throats of students who are not christian?

Answer 11

Pretty much.

I don't mind a religious studies class or a social studies class...as long as it isn't an excuse to preach.

Or something like this: http://bismarcktribune.com/articles/2007/12/08/news/local/144099.txt