Should Religion Be Taught in Schools?
Not at all. Completely violates separation of church/state
Nobody mentioned church.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
I don't see that teaching (not preaching) a variety of religions, plus humanism, in schools would violate this principle.
I agree, Except that "School" isn't what is meant by "state" in the traditional Constitutional sense.
No religions. Period in schools. I was forced to leave school every Wednesday, Walk to church for a couple of hours of bullshit and go back to school to learn somewhat useful shit. I hated it and tried to get out of it, but my parents wouldn't let me.
Religion is an important part of human history and culture. Students should absolutely have a basic understanding of the history and beliefs of major world religions. I'm obviously not saying schools should advocate for any religion or teach any religion as truth, but a well-rounded education certainly cannot ignore religion.
Two questions then: 1. taught in what way? and 2. teach which religions? I think you probably mean teach all equally with a non-preachy approach. I think that opens the door to two possibilities: 1. teaching tolerance or 2. teaching religion from a religious perspective. In the wrong hands it' a slippery slope. In the right hands, enlightened way forward.
As fictional literature sort of like hans christian andersen
not that any hans christian andersen readers burnt any one at the stake !
Religious studies are important in history and have indeed shaped the cultures of the world. It is impossible to discuss history without mentioning religion. A great example is the crusades.
The problem we will run into as much as I do advocate the idea is that the curriculum will inevitably be abused to promote the local predominant religion. That is, if the local religion is Chirstianity it will have more time spent on it and it will be presented with much more ligimacy than others. Atheism may be excluded all together as it is not by defintion a religion. This may lead students to conclude that to be normal they have to choose a religion.
When ever a great idea comes and religion can take control of it there will be problems.
I think school should be curriculum choice orientated. Like college. Starting in first grade, but having the choices begin with very rudimentary choiced and broadening as the grades advance. In my high school we signed up for classes every quarter...in middle school, too, come to think of it, with requirements for graduation. Made for a great an interesting school experience. And in this way, you can easily make religions classes you can take.
As what it is, Mythology.
you should teach children how to think and not what to think. they should be taught about drugs and sex too at the right age.
ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!..... the brain of a child is fragile enough without filling it with mythical fraudulent bullshit,,,,,,,,,,..and attempting to pollute the childs brain into believing such nonsense.
I think your right as far as very young children go
Absolutely ALL religions should be taught in schools. I was fascinated with the Greek gods as a child and the amount of religions in the world it's what made me an atheist . Once someone realises how many there are they soon realise they are just stories some with a good message some with very bad ones .
it should be talked about in history and I mean all religions in an unbiased way as it is a huge part of history.
Absolutely not taught as fact or truth. If there is a Comparative Religions class that teaches about religion as a concept and the different ways it finds expression as an anthropological study, I'd be okay with that. Might even deconvert some folks.
It is compulsory in the UK. I used to think this was wrong but so much of our society and history is based on this that some rudimentary knowledge is essential
However, It is supposed to be on aspects of ALL religions. Unfortunately, some faith-based schools plug their own beliefs relentlessly and barely mention other religions.
@273kelvin I'm not claiming they should not emphasise their own religion, but some schools allocate perhaps an hour per term to the beliefs of other religions, which are glossed over, merely to stay within the law. My granddaughter was in a school like that for a while. Fortunately we had already taught her to think critically when presented with dogma. Meanwhile, my grandson was given equal exposure to the beliefs of many religions and finds the subject fascinating. Both, however, have a healthy disregard for taking myth as fact.
Not as a truth or way of life/death ... as part of sociology as it relates to history and what religion has done for art, music and architecture while being certain not to leave out the death & suffering.
Sure. If you are talking about Middle or High school, then it can be taught with Social Studies and/or History. In college or university, it can be taught with Sociology, History, Art, Psychology, and on its own.
Whether we like it or not, religion is part of human history and culture all over the world. Why should we not allow people to learn about religions just because we are atheists, agnostics, etc?
It should be taught where it belongs, within the specific religions’ established place of worship. Having said that, I have no problem with educating adults in college about the religions of the world. In fact, I think it is important to a well-rounded education.
It has had such a huge impact on us as a species in the last how many thousands of years, that I think it certainly needs to be addressed in an educational way as part of our history. I believe that any ONE religion should NOT be taught in schools.