Should schools teach all religions?

[Ori]

It would help to promote tolerence and increase genreal knowledge.

 

[kreeden]

I think that it would be hard to teach " all religions ". Teach acceptance of different cultures perhaps ? But I quess that is what you are refering too ?

 

[Scott1]

While I agree that society is in need of tolerance of cultures and faiths different than their own... I would hesitate to support this type of religious education.

To actually educate students, teachers would have to touch on topics such as divinity, morality, ethics, etc... and I don't think that is the proper role for an educator of children and young adults.

 

[kreeden]

I agree Scott , which is why I used " culture " instead of " religion " . Granted , there may not be much difference , but sometimes a small difference makes a world of difference .

 

[jonny]

I don't think that schools should teach religion at all because it would be almost impossible for the teacher to be objective. I sat in many classes where they taught about "my religion" and it was wrong. My favorite story is from my mom. She was sitting in a high school class and her teacher taught that all Mormons have horns (we don't, by the way).

If they could somehow find teachers who could teach without letting their personal views influence the class, it would be great. Unfortunately, I don't think it will happen so I don't think they should teach any religions in the school except when relevant to culture and history.

 

[Scott1]

I agree Scott , which is why I used " culture " instead of " religion " . Granted , there may not be much difference , but sometimes a small difference makes a world of difference .

Very true.... I hope that kids are at least given a basic "overview" of the world... let them know that it's a big world.

 

[Jaymes]

I think a class where as many cultures/religions are taught in an objective manner would be wonderful. Learning about other cultures and religions is fascinating, and as long as the teacher doesn't do something along the lines of "This is such and such culture... they suck and are primitive... this is such and such religion... they worship false gods..." I think it would work out okay.

 

[kreeden]

There is a problem with teaching religion though Jensa . Religion has dogma that dictates morals , and the like . Philosophy and Spiritualism is more of a personal view on how we fit into it all . I believe Taoism and Shamanism to be more of the latter , then a religion .

So , to " teach " a religion , without teaching the dogma that goes with it , is not really teaching that religion . It is diluting that religion , making it something that it is not .

It would be easlier just to teach " culture ", IMHO .

 

[Jaymes]

It doesn't have to be taught as true, though. You can easily teach "religion x believes ___, ___, and _____ and they worship ____, the god of ____" etcetc. It worked well enough in my World History class when we learned of Zoroastrism.

 

[kreeden]

And I dare say that you learnt more about the effect Zoroastrism had upon the world , then about the actual religion ?

I don't know ? Perhaps what bothers me the most about this type of teaching is that it white-washes the whole thing . Religion is very important to those who follow it . Just take a boo at the Wiccan forum and the misconceptions listed there . Native American Spiritualy is another excample where " teaching " is making it into something it never was ... but then again , it has always evolved to some degree . I just think that to truely teach a religion takes more then just looking at the surface . And to do that with all religions ... well , who has that much time ? And then have time to teach ....

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Most Junior schools over here are obliged to teach RE (religious education)
This certainly gives the basics of most major religions.
Not that I have noticed it does a lot of good, excepet for thos children envolved in religion anyway.
Many schools bring in Clergy from different religions to lead a class.

Terry
______________________________


Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

 

[Jaymes]

And I dare say that you learnt more about the effect Zoroastrism had upon the world , then about the actual religion ?

We did learn how it effected the world, but we also learned the basic tenets and beliefs of it.

I don't know ? Perhaps what bothers me the most about this type of teaching is that it white-washes the whole thing . Religion is very important to those who follow it . Just take a boo at the Wiccan forum and the misconceptions listed there . Native American Spiritualy is another excample where " teaching " is making it into something it never was ... but then again , it has always evolved to some degree . I just think that to truely teach a religion takes more then just looking at the surface . And to do that with all religions ... well , who has that much time ? And then have time to teach ....

It would be difficult for teachers to put together a class by themselves on many different religions, but it wouldn't be too hard for a group to round up some members from each religion (or someone who studies religions) to have them tell the basic principles and beliefs of their religion, then have that put into a book. Not perfect, but some exposure to other cultures and religions is better than none, right?

 

[kreeden]

Some say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing . But I agree in principle with what you are saying Jensa . For some reason , I have a problem with using the term religion , where culture is just fine by me ???? Strange , that eh ?

 

[Katzpur]

I don't think that schools should teach religion at all because it would be almost impossible for the teacher to be objective. I sat in many classes where they taught about "my religion" and it was wrong. My favorite story is from my mom. She was sitting in a high school class and her teacher taught that all Mormons have horns (we don't, by the way).

NetDoc (one of my favorite posters and a Religious Forums supporter) would disagree with you. When I told him that Mormons don't have horns, he answered:

Of COURSE they do... I see them on top of all your temples! Usually you have an Angel blowing it!!!

If they could somehow find teachers who could teach without letting their personal views influence the class, it would be great. Unfortunately, I don't think it will happen so I don't think they should teach any religions in the school except when relevant to culture and history.

I think it would be a great idea for students to be exposed to the beliefs, history and culture of a wide variety of religions. The problem, as I see it, would be that it's one thing for a person to have studied another religion (even in some depth). It is quite another thing for him to be objective enough in his perspective on that religion to be able to present his material in an unbiased way. I wouldn't go to a Muslim for accurate information on Judaism -- or visa versa. I wouldn't ask a Catholic to explain Lutheran doctrine, or a Lutheran to explain Scientology. And you can bet your life that, if I were not LDS myself, I wouldn't go to a member of any other faith to learn what the Mormons believe. So, I think the teachers would have to be members of the faith that was being studied. But even then there would be problems. It would be almost impossible for certain of the teachers not to proselytize.

I really wish there were a way that such a program could be instituted but I'm not very hopeful that it could.

Kathryn