can anyone help?

[joe23456]

Hey can anyone help me? I am currently in the midddle of writing a religious education on why world religions should be taught in a catholic primary school and have decided to focus on Islam. Can anyone give me some help with reasons as to why it should be included in the curriculum? Please Joe.

 

[Aqualung]

Only with a wide base of knowledge can anybody make informed descisions about anything. School's main focus is to equip people to be critical thinking, functioning, informed adults. You can't be that without a wide knowledge base.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Better understandings of other religions leads to better understanding of one's own.

As for Islam, specifically, I'd say that studying it will aid in comprehension of current events, and (as AL mentioned) honing critical thought.

 

[Sunstone]

There are over a billion Muslims in the world. Surely it's worth something to know a bit about their beliefs.

 

[joe23456]

I understand your point but do you believe children at such an early stage in life should be made aware of other religions instead of just focusing on their own?

 

[Sunstone]

I understand your point but do you believe children at such an early stage in life should be made aware of other religions instead of just focusing on their own?

Of course. Provided the information they're given is truthful and objective.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Primary school? Absolutely! The earlier you can teach understanding and that other paths are to be respected, the better. If it's a Catholic school, specifically, though, another class specifically on that faith, combined with a different class in which others are studied, might be ideal. Or, for that matter, a class in which one's own religion is studied, and compared with the teachings of other religions, might also be good.

 

[joe23456]

what do you mean better understanding of another persons religion can lead to your understanding improving on your own religion?

 

[Sunstone]

what do you mean better understanding of another persons religion can lead to your understanding improving on your own religion?

This becomes obvious to you as you study other religions. If you really want to understand Christianity, study Buddhism too! The process of comparing and contrasting the two religions will give you a richer understanding of both.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

For example, in my path in my study of Celtic- based (as opposed to Native American-based) shamanism, I've tried to research Shinto-ism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism and naturalism. In doing so, I've learned more about my own faith, how it has inspired and been inspired by other faiths, and the common threads that such faiths have. Atheism, as well, helps me to study my own faith, for I find it helps to pause once in awhile and question that faith.

I think it's kind of like ice-cream. Sure, you might be certain that mint chocolate-chip is the best one out there and that it's the only kind for you, but if you've never even looked at the ingredients of the other flavors, your certainty lacks a logical basis. No one is asking you to 'taste' the other flavors, but it's nice to realize that the ingredients of mint chocolate- chip have a lot in common with those of other types of ice- cream!

Please refrain from the above metaphor if you're lactose intolerant. Thank you.

 

[Aqualung]

I understand your point but do you believe children at such an early stage in life should be made aware of other religions instead of just focusing on their own?

Maybe in the later years of school. I kind of think somebody should have the groundwork from which to judge the other religions (whether they judge them as superior or not) before you muddle up their thoughts with all these different views. If they have no basis from which to make the judgements, they could be lost.