2007-12-17 07:08:30 · 37 answers · asked by sam c 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
im christian
2007-12-17 07:13:13 · update #1
there is always a fight about religion
2007-12-17 07:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by garlic J 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If it's in a comparative religion class then I don't have a problem with it at all. The thing is, you generally run into the Abrahamic religions and there are many more traditions out there. If you're emphasizing one then you are discriminating against the other. Can you imagine the theological fighting that would go on? Look at what happens here. At least in a comparative religion class, students are learning about all kinds of religions and the origins. If it's a public school then it's a public school and religion shouldn't be a part of that school aside from a course like comparative religion.
2007-12-17 07:16:14 · answer #2 · answered by Yogini 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Probably because they don't believe what you believe and they are not interested in hearing about your beliefs. When you are amongst strangers or a group with a wide variety of people in it, you are very likely to offend at least some of them by talking about religion or politics.
It is also possible that you may actually be saying things that are insulting to their own beliefs.
If you start talking about religion when it is not the subject that is being discussed, then some people are likely to feel that you are purposely trying to change the subject in order to try to convert them. Trying to change the subject of a conversation for your own ends is rather offensive.
If you are trying to convert people at your school, it should be easy for you to understand why they would get offended. Basically, you would be saying that your beliefs are correct and theirs are incorrect and that God will punish them for their beliefs. This would be an extremely obnoxious notion to almost anyone. It is especially obnoxious because you would be making those statements without any real evidence of any kind.
2007-12-17 07:24:53 · answer #3 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem with teaching religion in a PUBLIC school is that not everybody follows the same religion and some do not even follow one. It is unfair to select one religion above others and preach or try to convince people to follow one religion.
But, I actually think a general religion course for students would be a good addition to the general curriculum. It would enlighten students to be more aware of other religions and beliefs and maybe foster increased tolerance. I read someone said religion is "myth" and should not be taught in school. Whether they beleive in it or not - it is a social issue and education on the subject of religion.
But to come to class and start telling a group of multi-religion children how (for example) Jesus is the savior and he must be followed is inappropriate. It all depends on the approach and it has to make sure not to come off as preachy and one-sided and more informative.
Just like non-Christians would not want someone coming to class only talking about Jesus - Christians would probably not be too thrilled if their teacher was solely teaching them the Qua'ran (sorry for spelling) - Muslim beliefs.
So simply: They can teach what others believe but can't tell them what they should believe.
2007-12-17 07:19:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sam, you're getting answers to all sorts of questions that you may or may not be asking. Can you be more specific about what sort of situation you're talking about? Obviously people will get offended if a teacher breaks the law by leading prayers in geometry class. Are you talking about that kind of situation? Or do you mean, say, when a couple of kids in the lunch room play "Noah's Ark" with their milk containers? The situations are very different.
2007-12-17 07:31:12 · answer #5 · answered by yutsnark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is very counter productive.
Most Christians have a vision that Christianity should be reintroduced into schools and prayer and creationism should be taught.
This sounds wonderful at first, but they really haven't thought about what would happen next.
Little Johnny stands up to say the morning prayer, and lets forth with a KJV lords prayer, followed by educing the form of the cross on his chest.
Little Mary gets home that night and asks mommy why Johnny did the sign of the cross after he prayed. Marys mommy gets pissed and calls the school administrators and asks them why her good baptist daughter is being indoctrinated with Catholic tradition........
It would never stop. Should the JWs decide which flavor of christianity should be taught? Should the Mormons get a say in how morality should be taught?
You guys are getting along fine right now, blaming atheists for all the violence in schools, if we let prayer back in and kids were shooting one another over doctrine, your gig would be up.
Think about it.
2007-12-17 07:11:21 · answer #6 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
Which religion? What grades?
Are you sure that everyone in school are Christians? Would you be offended by Muslims discussing how great their religion is at school? Or Satanists?
If it's a comparative religion class, no problem. If it's grade school and ONLY talking about Christianity - not cool. Are you talking about ALL religions being discussed?
2007-12-17 07:14:32 · answer #7 · answered by Aravah 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I think it is a right that they have and are abusing it.
At the same time kids needs to have an even playing field and not having religious differences interfere.
I say that because when I was in school (predominately Christin) the other kids were ignored and their holy days were ignored as well. In other words excluded.
2007-12-17 07:18:12 · answer #8 · answered by theladygeorge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothing wrong with talking or teaching ABOUT religion in schools. Religion should not, however, be PREACHED in public schools.
People don't like it because all children HAVE to attend school, not many have the resources to attend a private school if they don't like the public one, and, as a government institution, schools should not be promoting any particular religion, especially since they are dealing with impressionable young minds.
2007-12-17 07:14:12 · answer #9 · answered by Phoenix: Princess of Cupcakes 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
People can be offended anywhere you talk about religion...it depends on how you present it and if they wish to hear it.
If you're talking about the school system in general...it's more about separation of church and state.
2007-12-17 07:32:28 · answer #10 · answered by Winter Child 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A big part of the freedoms in America is based on ensuring that the government is not allowed to force you to be exposed to any one religious belief if you do not want to. To allow any kind of religion in a PUBLIC school is tantamount to the government forcing that religion onto the children who attend. Since my tax dollars pay for that schooling, I do not want that education to include a forced exposure to any organized religion or doctrine. If you want your children to receive religious teaching and exposure in school, send them to a private school which is allowed to teach anything it desires.
2007-12-17 07:17:16 · answer #11 · answered by brddg1974 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋