Religion in Schools

Even if history is an atrocity by today's standards, we need to learn from it so we can better ourselves as a species. Ignoring it sets you up for failure. Even with that there is a lot in religion that is good.

"Do onto others as you would have them do onto you"

Personally, I don't follow one of the big three Western Religions. Don't follow one of the big three Eastern Religions. I make my own spirituality and take what I need from life around me. I don't ignore it. I believe in science but I also have faith in deity because we don't have all the answers. I still stand by my answers above. To do otherwise, I feel I would deny my own humanity which transcends being a series of cells communicating via electrical impulses.

 

If you have faith in diety because you don't have answers to things science cannot understand yet, that just seems like the wrong reason.

I've never understood that just because we don't understand something we have to make up a omnipotent being who created and molded things to work out.

 

It is not the governments place to teach religion. That means state funded, government ran schools.

Private schools should have the right to teach anything they want.

If the kids in a school want to hold a prayer session, its not the states place to tell them no. As long as it is held by the kids and for the kids.

 

I have faith in deity because I have faith in deity. Yes, its a paradox and not something that can be explained to those who do not have faith or belief. It doesn't matter if science doesn't have the answer yet. It doesn't matter if it ever does. At least not to me. That isn't why I have faith.

I don't believe in eternal reward or eternal damnation. I don't belong to an established religion like Christianity, Judaism or Islam nor am I Hindu, Buddhist, or Shinto. I do look at each of these though and see how their teachings can allow me to be a better person and help my fellow man. I do not follow any doctrine blindly. I just have faith in what I believe is right for me and the world as I perceive it justifies that belief. I really don't need anything else. It doesn't bother me if no one else has faith let alone the same faith that I have. Their path is their own and its not my place to make them deviate.

Really not much more than that.

 

Oh wow, another 'religion" debate thread.

IMO, the government was wrong to remove any trace of Christian religions, yet still allow teachings on budhism, islam, etc. Yes they do allow these other religions to be taught - can't bring a Bible, but you can bring a Kuran? That's just wrong.

Notice I did not say that the government was wrong to remove any trace of Christian religions. I said it was wrong to continue to allow other religions to be taught, yet ban Christianity. If you're going to remove religion from schools, then remove it all. Or allow it all.

That said -

I'm not a religious person anyway. I'm a Christian. There's a difference.

 

I think we should keep religion out of schools. It's not far to people with other belief systems to cram it down their throats. So crazy attitude of christians cramming their beliefs down native american's throats.

 

Christian religion isn't the only religion, ufofiend.

At this time. christian religion is banned from schools. It's all the other religions that are freely taught. That is an atrosity. If one is banned, they all should be, imo.

 

Agreed to the fullest.

 

I'd argue that the difference is that american culture is immersed in christianity. You get a lot of it as is. Meanwhile, name one middle-schooler who wasn't raised as an orthodox Muslim who understands what the religion is about or knows more than that we're "kicking their asses back to the desert"? Teaching about alternative religions is helpful-Christianity is not necessary because you hear enough about it already. Also, what's the ratio of Churches to Mosques, Synagogues, or Buddhist temples?

I do see the hypocrisy in allowing Islam or Taoism to be taught in school, but not Christianity. I really like the German model, in fact-they offer Catholic, Evangelism, Judaism, Islam, and Ethics as subjects-you choose one. In ethics, they teach you about not just moral ethics, but also brush the surface of multiple religions-we just finished Hinduism and are starting on Buddhism. That way, you get either your own belief represented by the school, or at the very least you aren't forced into a class about something you don't believe in. (I just wish someone here would mention evolution in reference to that last sentence :lol: ).

 

The part I marked in red is exactly what I was referring to.

On your other point, the ratio of churches to Mosques, Synagogues, and temples is low, simply because this country was founded on, and run in its early years, on Christian religious beliefs.

Other beliefs and religions are more than welcome, as far as I'm concerned. As long as we all respect each other, and no one tries to stamp out my religious beliefs in favor of others.

 

I really think religion should stay out of schools. What if someone is not of the religion being practiced there? This religion in school is the same mentality of the Christian psychosis of shoving religion down native's throats during the wild west days. It's ridiculous and primitive.

 

I don't advocate the practice of religion in schools except in those private institutions run by Religious teachers. I do advocate the learning of religions impact on man's history and comparative religion so people can see how different or similar the religions actually are.

However as long as there are tests, there will definitely be religion and prayer in school.

 

This country is suppose to be freedom of religion. The Christian religion has run this world into the ground that even Jesus is himself is probably groaning. Religion has brought so much blood shed to the world and war. Do we really need it in our schools being force fed down children's throats?

 

Ufofiend - you are absolutely correct. This country is supposed to practice freedom of religion. But it does not.

I doubt that you could find any public school where a child is permitted to talk about his/her God, the bible, or their religion. However you will find that many other religions are permitted to be discussed/taught. While a child is not permitted to carry a Bible, they are permitted to carry a Karan (sp?). Therefore I find the term "freedom of religion" to be quite prejudice. If one religion is banned, they all should be.

However when it comes to private schools that are run by churches, such as catholic schools, A/G schools, etc. They have every right to teach/discuss their religion during school, without prejudice or fear of reprisal.

 

Exactly, Peggy. This is the problem. American public schools don't even allow discussion or display of the religion our country was founded upon, yet everything else is permitted and sometimes encouraged.

Although I agree that if one is banned, they should all be, I think none of them should be banned as long as it causes no disruptions. In some cases it will and in some cases it won't. Local policies should be modified accordingly in order to suit these differences.