Should Religion Be Taught in Public Schools?

sunflowers.:

It is physically impossible to teach all poets in English, all historical events in History. Just because you don't learn about the Holocaust or the battle of the Somme in a history course doesn't mean that it's any less important. So why not teach religion because you can't teach every religion?

It makes sense to teach the 6 main ones, at least.

I guess I was more responding to that specific post above concerning why schools don't teach religion to all. Again it's because most schools teach specifically to one religion.

Yes, you're right, teaching about the main ones would probably be a good idea.

the mice endure:

I guess I was more responding to that specific post above concerning why schools don't teach religion to all. Again it's because most schools teach specifically to one religion.

Yes, you're right, teaching about the main ones would probably be a good idea.

Out of curiosity, is there no law or guidelines in the US that state that you can't do that? Because surely if there's separation of the law and state, then public schools shouldn't be allowed to just teach one religion? Because that's almost making them a faith school?

In the UK there are state funded religious schools that are allowed more of a focus on a particular religion, but if you're not officially a faith school, you can't just teach one religion. At my school we learned the six main religions in years 7-9 (and then it became optional).

In Sweden we learn about the main religions. And it's all done from a strictly informational pov. There's no pressure on what religion is the "right" one, we're just learning what others believe in and how/why that is etc. I found it quite exciting, because I think it's something that's important to know. To me, it's important to have a wide knowledge about things such as history and religion.

sunflowers.:

Out of curiosity, is there no law or guidelines in the US that state that you can't do that? Because surely if there's separation of the law and state, then public schools shouldn't be allowed to just teach one religion? Because that's almost making them a faith school?

In the UK there are state funded religious schools that are allowed more of a focus on a particular religion, but if you're not officially a faith school, you can't just teach one religion. At my school we learned the six main religions in years 7-9 (and then it became optional).

I live in Australia. Religion is taught in ALL private schools. At least Christian Education is, but that's probably because most of the private schools are Christian.

I'm not sure what state High schools do.

the mice endure:

I live in Australia. Religion is taught in ALL private schools. At least Christian Education is, but that's probably because most of the private schools are Christian.

I'm not sure what state High schools do.

Oh my bad, sorry.

I think it'd be unlikely that state high schools would only learn about one religion? It hardly seems fair...

I do know they have Chaplains, but they're only there for Pastoral care. They don't actually teach religious education.

sunflowers.:

Out of curiosity, is there no law or guidelines in the US that state that you can't do that? Because surely if there's separation of the law and state, then public schools shouldn't be allowed to just teach one religion? Because that's almost making them a faith school?

In the UK there are state funded religious schools that are allowed more of a focus on a particular religion, but if you're not officially a faith school, you can't just teach one religion. At my school we learned the six main religions in years 7-9 (and then it became optional).

There are some restrictions; public schools are funded by the state, so allowing a public school to teach only one religion (depending on how in depth that is) could cause law suits and infringement on the Establishment Clause, which says that the government can't favor one religion over another, and could be considered breaching the separation of church and state. Also, there have been Supreme Court cases regarding religion in public school and it's pretty much something that doesn't happen.

I suppose it could be taught, though, so long as the teacher doesn't preach to their class and no student is uncomfortable. They'd have to be very careful, though, because if any student or their parent is offended, the teacher will most likely be reprimanded by the administration if the parent files a complaint.

In some classes, however, religion is brushed on. Mostly history classes or social studies; very little, though, from my experience.

When I was in sixth grade, they taught religion and I was perfectly fine and comfortable with it. I think it's a good idea to inform people from a strictly informational point of view on different religions. You never know, they might convert to another religion that makes them happier someday. I think it's good to get the facts out so there aren't any misconceptions that come to mind, and believe me, I can think of plenty.

I was just thinking the other day about all the religion I was taught at school. And the fact that we had chapel services etc. I realised that there was no actual statements by anyone, staff or students that anyone had to actually believe in or be Christians. We had to respect the Christian values of the school and participate in the religion classes etc, but there was no point in time where people were belittled or told off if they didn't believe. Nor was there any active attempts for people to be converted to Christianity.

There were plenty of atheists going to my school who didn't object to doing CE or chapel, it was all just part of how the school was run [And CE was just another class that we had to do]. They didn't have to believe in it. Just respect it. And respect those who did believe.

^
That's nice. [No sarcasm.] Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. I went to a public state-run nonreligious school and I still got shit for reading Harry Potter because it was Satanic.

be dru's hero.:

^
That's nice. [No sarcasm.] Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. I went to a public state-run nonreligious school and I still got shit for reading Harry Potter because it was Satanic.

I know that's not always the case. And that's unfortunate indeed, but I think some people need to see the flip-side and realise that it's not all bad and it's not necessarily about trying to convert the children into becoming Christians or whatever the religion is.

I don't think religion should be taught in public schools. If they make separate schools based solely on the certain religion, and not much else, then that's fine, I don't care. But in a school where not everyone believes in the same thing, where there are other subjects taught--I just--no. No.

Kids and teenagers don't come to school to learn about religion, unless they're going to a school that teaches religion and only religion. They usually come to try to be successful and get degrees in college, or whatever their goal is, but religion should not be included in that.

Cara.:

I don't think religion should be taught in public schools. If they make separate schools based solely on the certain religion, and not much else, then that's fine, I don't care. But in a school where not everyone believes in the same thing, where there are other subjects taught--I just--no. No.

Kids and teenagers don't come to school to learn about religion, unless they're going to a school that teaches religion and only religion. They usually come to try to be successful and get degrees in college, or whatever their goal is, but religion should not be included in that.

The way you talk about religion classes, makes it seem like religious education is taught as a specific subject like any other classes, but many schools it's only taught in one period in a whole week which may have as many as 40 periods in a week, It's a blip on the weekly timetable. At my school we only had 2 periods a week for religion, and for me and some of my other classmates that got cut down to one period if we were doing music as well. Also, the number of children who actually listened in Christian ed was pretty low. Most of us [I include myself admittedly] considered it a bludge class that didn't count as much as the rest of our classes. Schools can have religion classes as much as they want. Students have to pay attention for it to actually factor on their radar.

Of course, that doesn't mean that some students will take it as verbatim, or be against it but, from experience, sometimes it's just an extra class to fill in time and kids just don't really care either way.

Cara.:

I don't think religion should be taught in public schools. If they make separate schools based solely on the certain religion, and not much else, then that's fine, I don't care. But in a school where not everyone believes in the same thing, where there are other subjects taught--I just--no. No.

Kids and teenagers don't come to school to learn about religion, unless they're going to a school that teaches religion and only religion. They usually come to try to be successful and get degrees in college, or whatever their goal is, but religion should not be included in that.

Religion lessons deal with gaining knowledge about many religions; it's not like religion teachers are allowed to proselytise. Bearing this in mind, why is teaching religion in schools such a bad idea?

Alex; oxytocin.:

Religion lessons deal with gaining knowledge about many religions; it's not like religion teachers are allowed to proselytise. Bearing this in mind, why is teaching religion in schools such a bad idea?

If teachers teach why people believe in ___ religion, or why these people don't believe in ___ religion, then that's fine. But, when they try to make the kids believe or give reasons why they should believe in a certain religion, or it's all based on one certain religion so they might believe it, then I think that is unreasonable.

Cara.:

But, when they try to make the kids believe or give reasons why they should believe in a certain religion, or it's all based on one certain religion so they might believe it, then I think that is unreasonable.

That doesn't really happen though, at least not in the UK.

Alex; oxytocin.:

That doesn't really happen though, at least not in the UK.

Well, then, I have no problem with religion being taught in public schools, but only for the kids to learn what other people from other cultures believe--not something to persuade them. ;)

I don't know about other schools, but my school teaches religion and morals so that people have some knowledge before they go around saying what's right and what's wrong. Like, we don't get taught about what proof there is of God or the flaws in the bible text. Instead, we get taught about affairs that happen due to religion. At the tail end of the year we were taught about the ongoing war between the Arabs and the Israelis. Matters like this should be addressed in RE or RME, the actual problems that have been going on for the last century. Education is something we learn, and you can't really teach someone to have an opinion, that itself comes naturally and through thought. I feel it is so important for people to be aware of that sort of thing (taking the Arab-Israeli thing as an example) because religion can destroy nations and turn societies against each other.

To those who say that religion shouldn't be taught have a very fair point, it might just be that some places are being taught the wrong sort of thing. I think I'd have a problem with it if it was being preached to me, but if religion is taught correctly and with some importance, it could do a world of good.

the mice endure:

I know that's not always the case. And that's unfortunate indeed, but I think some people need to see the flip-side and realise that it's not all bad and it's not necessarily about trying to convert the children into becoming Christians or whatever the religion is.

I definitely don't agree that it's all bad; I just think it should be a choice. In a public school, you should have the right to decide if you want to learn about religion. If you don't, you shouldn't have to.

be dru's hero.:

I definitely don't agree that it's all bad; I just think it should be a choice. In a public school, you should have the right to decide if you want to learn about religion. If you don't, you shouldn't have to.

So, elective lessons, rather than [as we called them] board subjects, [meaning that whatever department that runs schools decides what subjects are compulsory]. I'd be all for elective religion classes.