matttherobot
Meteorite
As I Spy From Behind My Giant Robot's Eyes
Posts: 26
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Post by matttherobot on Apr 11, 2010 14:04:51 GMT -5
I think we are confusing teaching religion as a humanities class (like the same way you would study history) versus teaching it as theological class. I don't think most people would have a problem teaching about religions, its when we are specifically preaching in favor of one religion, to the exclusion of other beliefs, that we have a problem.
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Post by Jake on Apr 11, 2010 15:37:24 GMT -5
That's what I think. It would have to be taught by someone who is unbiased as to religion (difficult) and who also knows the various religions fairly well (also difficult). It seems unlikely to be executed properly in areas with a strong leaning to a particular religion or in places where religion has become political (i.e. most places). I don't think it should be difficult for them to be unbiast and to spend a little time learning about the religions. Most teachers ought to be able to control being biast towards whatever religion they are.
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Post by lacedbackwards on Apr 11, 2010 16:33:35 GMT -5
unless the student joins a special school where religion is base i don't think it should be in schools as a random thing i think it should be discussed and not just one but many different religions should be exposed to the student of today
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lucytie
Meteor
"You were born an original. Don't die a copy."
Posts: 72
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Post by lucytie on Apr 11, 2010 20:44:53 GMT -5
I there being a fine line between teaching and preaching religion. I think religion should be taught in school, everyone should have the opportunity to learn about the different beliefs and religions in the world. Not only to learn where they fit in, but also to understand what it is others believe in. However, it is very hard to find unbiased teachers and they are necessary to teach this type of subject. While being taught, no religion should be favored and there cannot be bias.
It sounds unpractical, but I have had teachers who could unbiasedly teach religion and I am veyr thankful for it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2010 17:43:37 GMT -5
I see its as simply as this. If parents want to send their kids to a school that teaches religion and religious ideas, let them. If parents don't want that, then they will send their kids to different schools. The real issue is the problem with public schools. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here, and public schools force us into that mold. so you believe that parents should chose which religion their kids should be?
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Post by eod89 on Apr 12, 2010 18:15:05 GMT -5
I have no problem with schools teaching about religion, but only if the religion is being taught in a secularist way.
It should be all-inclusive, or at least it should include the popular religions.
If those schools show bias towards some religions over others, then I think they have crossed the line.
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Post by iamagnostic on Apr 13, 2010 9:02:04 GMT -5
Even then, FSM comes into play.
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Post by The Monster on Apr 13, 2010 12:03:10 GMT -5
Yes because it provides a healthy guideline on what morals to practice and provides children with a sense of hope in the selves; which help formulate their identity.
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Post by phoebeniceness on Apr 13, 2010 18:53:46 GMT -5
Kids should be taught about modern religions just as much as they should be taught about defunct, ancient religions, in world history classrooms. We cover ancient Mayan mythology and ancient Greek mythology, among other things. This is the only place religion belongs in schools. Private schools should not be allowed to purposefully teach children that myths are facts. That should be illegal. There's nothing wrong with believing that the ancient Egyptians never really existed, either, but it's just a bit on the loony side. this is a great way to look at it! kids deserve to be given accurate information about all different types of religion (including the growing lack thereof - atheism) so that they are able to make an informed choice for themselves. but to simply neglect this subject creates cultural voids and diminishes cultural understanding. i attend a c of e boarding school where we are expected to attend a chapel service every sunday, even though 9/10 pupils are not this way religiously inclined. although many find these chapel services a little too inclined towards christianity they do provide an opportunity for members of the student body and members of staff to give sermons, which are usually more morally or internally politically themed, veering from any sort of religious ideas. also the singing is awesome fun sometimes. children should be informed properly, but allowed to make up their own minds on their religious beliefs.
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Post by clairemckenna on Apr 14, 2010 6:06:17 GMT -5
I think absolutely religion should be taught in schools, but schools will be walking on a tightrope between too much and too little in regards to what exactly they teach.
Obviously public schools shouldn't aim at any one religion, but I think there is a safe middle ground in the teaching of faith. Last semester I took an Intro to Philosophy course at my school and as we covered the great (western) thinkers chronologically we reached the age where the great thinkers were also religious men. I had a fantastic teacher who brought us up to speed on the events of the Bible and turned us loose to discuss the necessity of faith and our own philosophies regarding belief. We had a class that ranged from outspoken atheists to a very conservative and opinionated christian. This careful, respectful, moderated environment is what other students need to explore religion and faith, but I feel it should be kept to the high school (14-18) range.
Any person's faith has a foundation within that person and I think, since school is about being taught HOW to think and not WHAT to think, students should be taught HOW to form that strong foundation for their beliefs, meaning to ask the tough questions, seek answers and learn about what else is out there, because being ignorant of the arguments going on about religion is really worse than anything.
But there is the problem isn't it? That tightrope walk schools must accomplish to teach faith, and unfortunately, most schools see the issue as "Since we can't make everyone happy, we won't touch the subject at all."
I've seen some discussion on the difference in the idea of teaching faith and teaching the history behind faith as well. I would see it reasonable to have a "History through/of Faith" elective with maybe a pre-requisite of having a "Foundations of Faith" class so students are ready to look at it all objectively and take from it what they feel they should. Some will believe the history that is laid out in the Bible (or other holy text, I just picked the first that came to mind)is fact, and some wont, but at least they're aware it exists.
(I always get flustered writing these long responses because I fear I loose my point somewhere in writing it but I do love debate so if you see something that doesn't make sense, I'd love to clarify.)
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