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Should religion be taught in schools?

Admin 9 June 19
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730 comments (651 - 675)

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2

As religions of the world YES. As an individual religious belief NO. Many do not get it that public schools are forbidden to teach religion. In some areas it is being done "after hours" on school property with full approval of the public school system district. This is illegal. By all means sue them to get rid of this and get religion out of your public school and only teach it in your Sunday School.
In my area a FB friend posted that it was "National Bring Your Bible to School Day." She is wrong. There is no such day in public schools. As a theist she is hoping it to be so and most likely cannot wait until creationism is taught in class rooms. They just keep making it up and do not get it that this sort of thing is for their private religious school or Sunday School. Be advised that Betsy DeVos is one who would like to turn this all around. This is why her and Mike Pence hold the office that they do today.

2

Hell no!, and when any of us discover religion being taught, shared, etc at a school or other public domain, please report it to a group such as Freedom From Religion Foundation, and subscribe to their newsletter to get the results of reporting those who defy the rule of separation of church and state.

1

Not until 6th grade. That's when kids may be able to grasp it. Just a guess though. It would have to be an un-biased class too. Religion is prevalent in this world in all places and children are curious ( I have secular belief though my daughter ask questions about it) so it is talked about. Hopefully I can give decent real answers to her questions, but she is influenced by others at school too. For now this is my best answer.

2

Yeah, in history class. Important to learn the lessons from the mistakes of our past.

2

Religion was, is and will be for the near future an important power in society, so it is important to understand past religions for history, how it changes and is changed by society, in which historical premises and logic is based, how the main local and world religion wants that their members see the world, how it is different of a scientific view. And how it is used by leaders to dominate public opinion and harness power.
So this stuff should be taught.

2

So long as Mormons, Satanic Temple, and FSM get equal time.

3

Yes it should. The history of religions and why they need to be abandoned.

2

No it should not.school is for learning not worshipping

3

Schools should teach Irreligion.

2

Maybe in a historical context. They should also teach Islam and Judaism with the intent of decreasing islamophobia and antisemitism

4

Religions should be taught as other world types of political ideologies because they, like political movements, operate the same. A Paradise or payoff of one or another kind is promised to those who will surrender themselves to 'betters' who establish doctrines.

Support and advancement (evangelizing) consist of financial support and participation in rituals and duties dictated by leadership. Leaderships claim to 'serve' and provide salvation to the faithful; always at some time in the future, either here on Earth or some Paradise. The problem with both is that promises are never fulfilled.

Schools already teach religion in that they support unrealistic socio-political ideologies and principles and are critical of others. They forbid 'prayer' while organizing rituals that are no more than acts of worship of a state with a god's alleged endorsement.

3
3

Which of the many religions? If someone wants to study comparative religion that is okay. It is also good to study the history of Religion to understand how Church and State can corrupt together and harm people. It should never be taught in a public school as a substitute for science and fact.

3

A short class quickly covering all major religions and atheist agnostic and spiritualism.
Chuck in some history of religion.

Echo7 Level 3 Oct 13, 2018

I don't think young minds should be subjected the horrors of the history of religion. Unless they cherry pick it..........Oh wait. They already do that!

2

No. A separation of church and state ensures that no faction obtains too much power. The Catholic Church is a perfect example. Look at the ring of child abuse that is covered up by even the highest ranks in this church. A study of religion in general is ok. There is much to learn about our own nature by studying our past, and religion is a large piece in that puzzle.

Angee Level 4 Oct 13, 2018
2

I think it is beneficial to teach the students about different religions, especially the current main 5-6 religions because that give them an understanding about the socially construction basis of many societies. Plus, religions are part of our human civilisation.

2

Sorry, I feel religion should be kept out of the school system at least K thru 12. school should be left to teach facts and history etc. It's one thing to teach morals but teaching a child they could go to XXXX if they do not heed what so and so said is just not healthy.

2

Ignorance is the foundation of intolerance, be it religious or any other flavour of discrimination. Without education, you drive a wedge between different sections of society. Understanding is the key to cooperation and without that, there's no progress, as the last 1000 years of war has shown.

3

Not unless it’s a private school.

2

I think the indoctrination of children is the worst child abuse imaginable.
And yes, I have survived all the other types, and somehow managed to avoid being infected with God.

2

Why not. If you don't know what it is you can't analyse/evaluate it.

If the class is taught by an atheist

2

Never

3

Absolutely not! Let minds be free!

3

I would not trust people in the US to be responsible about it. Some would use it as an opportunity to tear down or belittle the beliefs of some, and though normally I'd be okay with that, I'm not when psychologically unprepared children are involved. Also, most teachers in the South would use it as cover to evangelize.

I tend to agree with you on this one. When science books can say that Evolution and Natural Selection are 'just theories' and equal to the story of creation in the Bible...we know there is an uphill battle just teaching about religion in a historic and objective way to our nation's kids. Each teacher could choose to 'sabotage' the curriculum if they felt it was 'offensive'. Like pharmacists who won't write prescriptions for birth control.....they let their personal beliefs interfere with secular job duties.

2

They CAN all be taught, but next to each other. Not in a dogmatic way. What the facts are. Who they worship and rituals. But absolutely just the facts. Whatever can be shown demonstrably.

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