I was raised by parents who insisted we attend church (Lutheran) every Sunday. I lost my religion before I was 18. My (estranged) wife was raised Catholic; she'd lapsed by the time I met her, in my early 30s. We baptized our daugher Episcopalean; we kind of met in the middle, and I went along with it because, while I'm not religious—and haven't really been since I was a teen—I recognize that religion is useful for some. It seemed to be, at the time, for my wife.

We have since separated. She (my estranged wife) has soured on organized religion. And I have quit attending any kind of church, since I was only really going for her.

My daughter has, therefore, been raised pretty much without religion. She professes to be an atheist. (She's 17.) But, recognizing that she really doesn't know much about religions, overall, she is very interested in taking comparative religion classes.

I think that's an awesome idea.

Whether you're atheist, agnostic, humanist, whatever, it's indisputable that religions have played a huge part in human history. We humans, as a species, seem to gravitate toward religion. The study of same—provided it's not just indoctrination—seems warranted to me. I support my daughter's interest in studying religions. She seems to approach the whole thing from a sociological and/or anthropological perspective.

And, as her dad, I think that's pretty effing cool.

Sure, teach religion in history class in regards to its role in shaping world history.

Teach religion in literature class. Discuss the stories alongside Aesop's Fables and Greek mythology.

No. I think religion is a family based activity. Whatever it is after you leave home and begin fending for yourself, yoiu tend to make up your own mind.
Why should teachers be burdened with more shit that f\amilies should be doing?

No religions unless in is part of a history or art history course

Reminds me of the line.....We are both atheists, I just belive in one less god than you do.

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.

right along side of witchcraft and vodoo

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.

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.

Only as an "awareness" course.

Has no place in public schools

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?

I posted several times on this thread....but is never enough when the topic is school and religion:
The only teaching of religions in the school should be informing the students of the impact this had / has on mankind.

No, religion should be kept in a church.

No

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.

Yes unless all religions are taught in a historical fashion it should stay out. I have little faith that it could be done. You will always have a bias while being taught. I am also sure that the ones that really want religion taught means Christianty. They will get bent out of shape when other religions are taught.