Should Religion be taught in Public Schools?

Atheism must be taught too

 

You confuse preaching and indoctrination with teaching, but that misunderstanding is typical of "progressives" who view teaching as just another form of modifying the culture.

 

Public school has no place teaching religion and isn't qualified to do so. Children would benefit from more of a focus on STEM. Science technology engineering and Math. Writing cursive and knowing correct grammer.....we need to get back to that as well.

 

I agree, since atheism was a fundamental tenet of the most brutal social systems of the 20th century - Russia, the USSR, Nazi Germany, Mao's China. Those nations had a huge impact on the world, to understand those nations and their leaders and policies, you must understand the role of atheism and religion in those systems. And you must understand the role of religion in the downfall of those systems.

But in pre-20th century history, atheism is almost non-existent as a national or world influence.

 

Depends on what you mean by religion being taught. If you're talking about Sunday School type teaching of religion in public schools, then the answer is no. If one is teaching an outline of religion for let's say how religion and religious beliefs lead to the Crusades or how different religions at different times and places were prosecuted, fine.

I would object for a quick study of how different religions differ. However an in-depth study of the different religions or perhaps only one should be something left to be taught in college. I wouldn't have a problem with a quick run down of the difference between Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc if it is pertinent to what is being studied. If the subject is Martin Luther, then explaining the difference between Catholicism and Protestant is germane. But in so doing, stay away from all Sunday School type teaching.

 

And they must understand the horrible nature of abuse, genocide, torture and graft that is the Christian religion

 

That's the difference between teaching and indoctrination. What I posted is factual, I want people to understand the fundamentals of the major world religions so that people can understand ancient and modern history, have a better understanding of human motivations and human psychology and sociology, and are educated well enough to do their own evaluation of history and current events. That includes the good and the bad. I want people educated so they can understand and have knowledge. That's teaching.

You want people to be told that religion is bad. That's indoctrination.

I want people to be educated. You want people to listen to you and accept your orders.

 

I want them educated on the facts. The facts are pretty brutal in all of history but those are the facts. No need to shy away from it. Its ugly....but true

 

What? So Atheism started in the 20th century?

I don't even know where to start

Uhmmmm... Ever hear of a guy called Charles Darwin?

 

Crusades, Inquisition,.... and all that can be taught in History classes.

What I envision are actual Atheists, Catholics, Mormons, .... all competing to provide their point of view to high school students. And then allowing them to make up their own minds.

I think that would be great!

To be honest, it matters very little what they chose. What is important is that they learn Critical Thinking.

Let's see China (or any other country) top that!

 

Based upon my participation in religious forums for years my observation is that most people are completely clueless when it comes to their favorite ethnocentric Asian religious fairy tales. The only biblical passage that should be taught to school age kids is Proverbs 1:8-19. Everything else belongs in church, where ignorant preachers can mislead them about all of the rest of it.

 

Long as it isn't a Sunday School type teaching. I have no problem in stating Mormons believe this, Catholics, that, Buddhist this. That is basically an outline of beliefs. What I do have a problem with is trying to get the kids to choose one or another. that's not a public school function. Shoot, our public schools can't teach history, English, Math the way they used to. A long time ago, we were number one in the basic studies in the world. Now we're like 28th in Math, 32nd in Science and so on. Not sure of the exact ranking, but that is close.

 

Well, does that mean avoiding teaching it, leaving the students unaware of some of the important philosophical and political points they make?

 

Well, for instance, the impact on modern day society from Christianity is an important point, which doesn't really apply to Taoists or Confucians.

What I mean by generic religion is basically the same point as I made earlier, one which isn't associated with so many strong feelings.

 

What I mean is stuff like local (as well as global) history and certain prevalent forms of philosophy, politics. That's not really an argument saying that Taoists don't have a view on politics, I'm just saying in order to understand the history we might learn, like the 30 years war, some points about Christianity might be important to teach.

 

Quite right.....

 

the parent has the right by virtue of being the parent to teach and insists that what they believe the child believes as true, the problem is that public funded education insists that a child learn more about what they say is true and prove they know it, with total disregard for what the parents believe.

usually using the concept that its science not religion even though they are teaching what they want the child to believe, undermining the parents beliefs within the child. same as the serpent did in the garden by encouraging the child to trust what the latest greatest crap they put out, and what their parents believe is not true.

 

You don't think Taoists and Confucians have an impact on modern day society? Really?

I would say Confucius has had more influence in shaping society as it is today than Christianity. Second only to, maybe, Newton.

I understand. However, the question in this thread was about Religion. Anything else can be taught in History classes or Socialogy or... something else.

I think that the controverial side of teaching Religion would shake students into embracing critical thinking and logic.

 

I disagree. They may have the legal right to opt-out while the children are minors (I would question the morality of doing so, though). But Public Schools have the obligation to teach life skills and facts only. Critical thinking is a very important life skill. If we had been teaching children to believe what their parents believe, we would still be in the Dark Ages.

I am an atheist, one of my sons considers himself Catholic, the other just a believer with no particular religion. I am thrilled when my children queston my beliefs. And they do all the time. Not only my religious beliefs, but political positions and on any matter that we discuss at the dinner table. I am not afraid to learn from them, and I have learned quite a bit.

 

I don't think it should be in lower level public schools. Being taught the fundamental tenets of any major religion might lead to some pretty difficult discussions. I can hear parents now calling in having conniption fits.
...Older HS kids it would benefit.

 

I believe that courses on comparative religion should be mandatory in all public secondary schools. Not a good idea for primary schools.

Anything other than that should be completely banned in public schools education (extra cirricular not included).

 

Philosophy can be taught in philosophy class. Politics can be taught in political science. No magic Jeebus necessary.

 

What would be the benefit of teaching religion in schools to your kids?

 

In some ways I agree. But I think you would have to have an adherent teach a given religion

 

YES The tenets of religion should be taught and also the history of religion (the Good, the Bad and the Ugly) and how it has been used as a means of social control.

Young adults should be taught how teaching a child (or adult) that if one "questions" or "does not believe" the tenets of some holy book... that the worst thing the mind can imagine will happen to them (eternal torture in the afterlife) is a sophisticated mind control technique.

When the adherent injests this doctrine the fear gets lodged deep in their subconscious. When encountering information that conflicts with dogma the adherent may not even be aware of the unconscious response - a denial mechanism kicks in where the mind will try to avoid the "bad thought" because this may lead to eternal torture.

Kids should also be taught Philosophy (logic, logical fallacy, critical thinking and how to construct a valid argument) so that they have the proper tools to weed through the constant barrage of fallacy and bad arguments from politicians and the media.

Finally they should be taught about the basic principles on which this nation was founded - individual rights and freedoms "above" the legitimate authority of Gov't, legitimacy of Authority, Limited Gov't and so on.

There is a reason that the raging masses act like a bunch of ignorant sheep. It is because they are not taught the basics of how to think and the principles on which the USA was founded.