I think it should be taught in secular sociological fashion. It is a fact that children will encounter several religions during their life times. Specific theologies should never be taught and would be impossible anyway. To get a clear picture of any belief it has to be explained by actual believers and so would be impossible to teach any of them accurately in a public secular atmosphere.

I think so only if people are also taught agnostic and atheist beliefs as well. They should be taught everything and be allowed for themselves to chose what they feel they should believe in.

only in private schools; the United States Constitution prohibits the state establishing one religion over any other. For any state to do so would be actionable and those doing so would be liable for criminal and probably civil liability. They could face jail and civil suits. How many Christians do you know who would sue a school for teaching their kids Islamic values? Hindu? This country was founded upon the prospect of religious freed---but that was the religion of the founders, make no mistake; not the freedom of any other religion. Ask the Native Americans, The Mormons, or any other group of non Christians in this great country. Think of how they treat Catholics. Roger Williams had to leave Mass. and found his own colony or Rhode Island because he was catholic. So the answer to this question is not only "NO", but that it would be illegal to do so. However it is legal to teach a class on comparative religion; where you look at several religions and how they came about and their dogma. As long as one is not established as preferred or correct.

I think ALL religion should be taught in schools, objectively and as a sub course of mythology.

of course--you just should not be sending your kids there

I think comparative religion and religion in historical context are viable subject matter. The difficulty comes when the teacher is unable to teach in an objective, unbiased manner. Being uneducated about religion and how it impacts the world we live in is detrimental. Our language, law and history are all heavily laced with religious nuance and if you don’t know about religion, it makes it harder to navigate all that from a place of strength in knowledge. Learning about things you disagree with isn’t the problem. Separation of church and state means the government can’t force religious belief or tout one religion as the right one. Teaching comparative religion isn’t a violation of religious freedom, it is an important topic for critical thinking and world knowledge.

Definitely NOT!

All religions yes, in mythology class.

But also, "Don't pray in my schools and I won't think in your churches".

yes, teach all ABOUT various religions around the world, but don't teach it as absolute truth, just how it affects society and our way of life. Do not indoctrinate kids.

Yes. All of them, with no favoritism.

Only if it is taught right along with all religions and mythology.

No! Having been a teacher in a conservative area of the country in the past, I've seen religion creep in to so many aspects of the public school system and, despite vocal and non-vocal protests on my part, it continues. I was asked, at one point in my career, why I told my students that I didn't believe in god. I told the district HR director, "Because they asked me". Enough said.

Only if it is all religions! NOT christianity alone!

I am not sure by "taught" in schools but I believe that creationism and biblical inerrancy should be actively destroyed in our public schools. The flaws of creationism should be discussed and the propaganda of "creation-scientists" should be in display for all children to see. In world history classes, the flaws of the Bible should be discussed and the ridiculous explanations of apologists should be on display for all students to see! Even before students take courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, they should be required to take a freshman course in critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and critical history.

Either secularism or pluralism, pick one!

If religion is taught, it should be more of a broad overview of major ones, with some discussion of non-religious philosophy included. This is what Humanists UK has been pushing for.

I'm not against teaching of the very basics of what religion is. But every single follower of every religion interprets religious writings differently, so choosing what to teach becomes touchy. Designing the course would be a tough job.

As long as they teach ALL religions, including the absence of it. Religion has killed more people than any other cause since the beginning of recorded time. A great wise man once said "The God Argument... the last refuge of a man with no answers and no arguments, it came from God"

Only as it would be in college: study many religions and discuss their cultures--humanities!

No. It's a waste of time and resources. Replace RE with RWE, Real World Education. First aid training, hazzard sign awareness, what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency, healthy living, social skills, debating skills. You know, things that they could actually do with knowing.

A rich curriculum in Eastern and Western Religious Studies, would most certainly benefit our intermediate though early college learners. Youngsters need to be educated in religious philosophy and history prior to becoming enlightened in a specific area. Classical studies that include mythology and history of war in the Middle East should aslo be included.

Think back to what made your education exciting, unique, and engaging? What helped you become the analytical thinker that you are today? As a nation we need to go back to classical education in order to achieve the high levels of science and math that we once had.

No pontification here, just saying ... lol!

Many of the best arguments AGAINST religion come from learning about it.

No

I don't believe any religion should be taught. I don't think astrology or alchemy should be taught either. It's all nonsense.

Not in public school. If you want to indoctrinate your kid you should have to pay for it.

Yes - as many of them as possible:
"A person knowing enough about religions shall not be ensnared by any of them"
-I forgot the author-