Can you really 'teach' religion?

Question

Not you personally, but you being anyone.

Answer 1

I don't really think so.

By all means, "religion" is nothing more than belief; faith.

Religion is incredibly complicated, as well. Personally, I believe that if you wish to teach any one religious element, you must teach them all: If you want to tell some little kids about Christianity, go right ahead, but you d@mn well better teach them about Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, atheism, agnosticism, VooDoo, etc.

If you don't, you're giving people an unrealistic view of what religion actually is.

Of course, a class on a certain religion, I understand. But for instance, if you enforce teaching Christianity in a public school, you shouldn't be an educator.

Therefore, I think you can expand as much as you'd like in teaching others about what defines a religion, and what is included in the field of religion, but to teach only one religion, hence ignoring others, is unethical.

And for that matter, impossible. You can't teach a belief. No matter how many times I write, "I believe in God" on the blackboard, I'll still BELIEVE in atheism.

Answer 2

You can teach the intellectual part of religion... You can teach how to interpret sacred texts...

But faith and beliefs are a personal thing...

You can go to church/Mosque/Temple 6 times per week and pretend your religious... OR simply be

Answer 3

Yes. You can teach somebody everything about a religion. But you have to impose belief with emotions.

Answer 4

Religion is taught all the time. Religous schools typically teach one religion but there are plenty of classes in comparitive religions (when these are well done, they are fascinating).

Answer 5

You can only teach doctrine. Whether it is accepted or not is dependent on the sincerity and honesty of the pupil. And the validity of the doctrine which you are attempting to teach.

Answer 6

Depends on how educated you are.