Should religion be promoted in public schools?

[California Girl]

Promoted? No.
Taught? Yes.

I'm an atheist, and I think all the main religions should be taught in a religion type class.

Just as long as it's not in a biology class.

I'm Catholic. And I agree with the atheist. All the world's major religions should be studied in schools. Maybe if we all understood each other a little better, we would have so much stupid hatred of others because of their religion.

 

[Youwerecreated]

Promoted? No.
Taught? Yes.

I'm an atheist, and I think all the main religions should be taught in a religion type class.

Just as long as it's not in a biology class.

I'm Catholic. And I agree with the atheist. All the world's major religions should be studied in schools. Maybe if we all understood each other a little better, we would have so much stupid hatred of others because of their religion.

I'm not sure,sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Two things really hard to discuss with people with opposing views religion and politics.

 

[rdean]

If what you say is true wouldn't there only be one universal religion ?

Not all religions follow the Bible. Say you knew that.

Well we were talking about the bible how many different Christian religions are there ?

There are two Jewish religions that use the bible i know of.

Christianity, Islam and Judaism are considered the Abrahamic Republicans because all three claim to have been founded by Abraham, yes, even Christianity. Two of the three believe in Jesus. Can you guess with two?

Jews read the Old Testament, Christians and Muslims read both the old and new. Muslims also read the Koran. Mary and Jesus are both in the Koran.

Then you have the Hindus and Buddhism and from there, the list is endless.

 

[nitroz]

If religion is promoted, then i demand homosexuality to be promoted aswell.

 

[emilynghiem]

Nazism isn't a religion

But it had very devout followers, much like a cult.

Dear Two Thumbs and Avatar:
Is Constitutionalism a religion?
I believe in teaching and enforcing the principles as universal and vital to all people,
and treat it as my religion, though it should not be imposed, just taught and chosen freely.

If my denomination/interpretation is different from how Constitutional law
is seen or practiced in society, does that mean that way is also a religion
but just a different denomination than mine?

Is it possible for Constitutional laws to be practiced both secularly and religiously as I do.
If so, it is possible for Biblical laws to be practiced and taught without imposing a religion?

Thanks,
Emily

 

[emilynghiem]

No,religion is a creation of man however i would be interested in a class that teaches the bible.

I am no fan of organised religion of any kind.

Bible study? Uh, you don't know that's organized religion?

If what you say is true wouldn't there only be one universal religion ?

I believe Constitutional laws reflect natural laws and principles common to all people universally. All people I know practice free speech, free exercise of their beliefs, and the right to assemble and to petition for redress of grievances, they all protest if they oppose something that threatens their consent or right to security and equal protections.

Constitutional laws also call for equal protection of the laws without discrimination by religion or creed. So Constitutional laws cannot be construed or taught to exclude any other religion or belief without violating its own principles. (in the case of conflicts between a person's beliefs and civil laws, then conflict resolution should be used to reach a consensus to avoid imposing an unfair bias and to include all interests protected equally)

Couldn't this be practiced as a universal system?
That includes all other systems within the same bounds of civility and equal representation?

 

[spectrumc01]

I went to a catholic school for twelve years, and we were taught about every major religion in the world. My highschool history teacher taught along side the bible as you can follow history if you follow the Jewish race. Intersesting stuff, at least it kept me in my seat, more importantly it kept comming back. Funny when I look back at the overall theme of the catholic school indoctrination, I find it to be quite liberal.

 

[BOBO]

Should religion be promoted in public schools?

The religion called 'Liberalism' is already promoted in public schools. Isn't that enough?

I take it your not to worried about offending the liberals, eh!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RoccoR]

emilynghiem, Avatar4321, Two Thumbs, et al,

There are many, many human constructs and belief structures that are similar to religions. It is not that "Nazism" is a "Religion", but that the two are related in the way elements in humanity follow them. They each create social ties and meaning, with an ontological value, that gives a perception of purpose.

Nazism isn't a religion

But it had very devout followers, much like a cult.

Dear Two Thumbs and Avatar:
Is Constitutionalism a religion?
I believe in teaching and enforcing the principles as universal and vital to all people,
and treat it as my religion, though it should not be imposed, just taught and chosen freely.

If my denomination/interpretation is different from how Constitutional law
is seen or practiced in society, does that mean that way is also a religion
but just a different denomination than mine?

Is it possible for Constitutional laws to be practiced both secularly and religiously as I do.
If so, it is possible for Biblical laws to be practiced and taught without imposing a religion?

(COMMENT)

Throughout humanity and civilization, laws were developed to maintain order and promote an environment that gave rise to leadership and regime. "Power and Influence" were the two main objectives that made wealth and prestige more easily attainable. Religion was just one of these constructs that were flexible enough to establish controls over large segments of the population.

Laws, whether religious based or otherwise (ie Hammurabi's Code), established compacts to promote this power, authority and prestige.

(TO THE QUESTION) Should religion be promoted in public schools?

The answer to the question (one mans opinion) depends on the system of government.

• If the society in question has a legal system based on fundamentalist religious texts and ancient beliefs, then it may be entirely correct to teach such laws in school.
  
• If the society in question has a legal system based on some other construct, then that construct should be favored in the education system.
  
• In either case, a sound education system should include an orientation on the major legal systems used throughout the world, to include those systems based on Religious Law.
  
• Theological courses on the meaning, practices and interpretations of basic religious views should be advanced work reserved for sociology and philosophy course work at the undergraduate level.

(PERCEPTION OF "RIGHT" and "WRONG)

While it seems counter-intuative, what we understand as "right" or "wrong" within our culture is based on two major factors:

• First: What we are taught within our specific culture.
• Second: The outcome derived from any specific action taken or decision made; and how that action is judged by the specific culture.

There is no universal concept of "Right" and "Wrong." Thus, teaching of Religion at an age for which the student is lacking the experience to decipher the consequences may inadvertently be setting the stage for future conflict between cultures that have developed differently.

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[hortysir]

If so, would not all religions need to be included, including nazism? I mean nazism is a belief system(religious) that believes in aryan supremacy through a superman nordic god. I'm not trying to start a commotion here but if religion is to be brought into the public arena of education where do we as Americans draw the line for 1st amendment rights & interpretation???
Or would it be a better idea to have private schools where the religious ideology of choice can be promoted?

Shouldn't be promoted OR stifled.

 

[JohnA]

Okay im for teaching religion in public schools as long as maths is taught in sunday school
there is a time and place for everything

 

[whitehall]

If so, would not all religions need to be included, including nazism? I mean nazism is a belief system(religious) that believes in aryan supremacy through a superman nordic god. I'm not trying to start a commotion here but if religion is to be brought into the public arena of education where do we as Americans draw the line for 1st amendment rights & interpretation???
Or would it be a better idea to have private schools where the religious ideology of choice can be promoted?

It would be better idea to have private (segregated schools)? Hmmm.

 

[emilynghiem]

There is no universal concept of "Right" and "Wrong." Thus, teaching of Religion at an age for which the student is lacking the experience to decipher the consequences may inadvertently be setting the stage for future conflict between cultures that have developed differently.

Most Respectfully,
R

Dear R: Hey thanks for the summary covering the main points about laws and religions.
For brevity I didn't copy all that here, but I agree that the overall history and structure should be taught so people understand where all this comes from and how it is used.

In general, I see religions as different languages for the laws.
The same way different people from different states are under local laws, different tribes have their different affiliations and denominations, though it is not necessarily geographic.

1. RE: universal right and wrong
what is universal is people want their consent respected.
the expression of their systems varies, but this is a common factor.
even if we compromise our freedom or security, we want to do that by consent,
not to have this imposed on us

2. People can still learn conflict resolution skills that apply to any situation,
and which acknowledge that people have different personal and cultural biases
and prepare/train people to watch for those differences, whether differences in values or the way we communicate and interact that varies culturally, even body language used.

Since you mention whatever laws a country has would be expected to be taught in schools, maybe such training in diversity and civil due process to resolve conflicts
could be taught as part of equal respect and protections under the 14th Amendment.

 

[editec]

National socialism is something one would study in the realm of political science.

It is not a theological subject, it is a subject of political science and that falls within the realm of the humanities.

Set the difference?

THEOlogy = GOD

HUMANities = Man?

 

[M.D. Rawlings]

Bible study? Uh, you don't know that's organized religion?

If what you say is true wouldn't there only be one universal religion ?

I believe Constitutional laws reflect natural laws and principles common to all people universally. All people I know practice free speech, free exercise of their beliefs, and the right to assemble and to petition for redress of grievances, they all protest if they oppose something that threatens their consent or right to security and equal protections.

Constitutional laws also call for equal protection of the laws without discrimination by religion or creed. So Constitutional laws cannot be construed or taught to exclude any other religion or belief without violating its own principles. (in the case of conflicts between a person's beliefs and civil laws, then conflict resolution should be used to reach a consensus to avoid imposing an unfair bias and to include all interests protected equally)

Couldn't this be practiced as a universal system?
That includes all other systems within the same bounds of civility and equal representation?

Don't know. What does this mean in actual, real-world practice? I'm a bit fuzzy about the "conflict resolution" thing regarding "a consensus to avoid imposing an unfair bias and to include all interests protected equally."

 

[FA_Q2]

Promoted? No.
Taught? Yes.

I'm an atheist, and I think all the main religions should be taught in a religion type class.

Just as long as it's not in a biology class.

I'm Catholic. And I agree with the atheist. All the world's major religions should be studied in schools. Maybe if we all understood each other a little better, we would have so much stupid hatred of others because of their religion.

It should be pointed out that this IS taught in school. I would also agree with the above statements. Religion is a big component in society and you have to have a basic understanding of religion to function properly within society.

 

[FA_Q2]

I would recommend teaching comparative religion
and conflict resolution/mediation skills. Since people
are going to run into these differences and biases in life,
why not teach students early on how to manage diversity?

Issues like school prayers at functions, how to teach evolution or
creation or even sex education, the Pledge of Allegiance, etc.
can be decided democratically by a system of input or even voting
among students and parents to come up with a fair policy that
represents the diversity of the student body and community.

I believe civics education should be required so people understand
the responsibility for due process they should respect and follow
if they want the same rights and freedoms under Constitutional laws.

ethics-commission.net

Absolutely not. That is not the point of education.

 

[hortysir]

I would recommend teaching comparative religion
and conflict resolution/mediation skills. Since people
are going to run into these differences and biases in life,
why not teach students early on how to manage diversity?

Issues like school prayers at functions, how to teach evolution or
creation or even sex education, the Pledge of Allegiance, etc.
can be decided democratically by a system of input or even voting
among students and parents to come up with a fair policy that
represents the diversity of the student body and community.

I believe civics education should be required so people understand
the responsibility for due process they should respect and follow
if they want the same rights and freedoms under Constitutional laws.

ethics-commission.net

Absolutely not. That is not the point of education.

What, exactly?

 

[JakeStarkey]

I would recommend teaching comparative religion
and conflict resolution/mediation skills. Since people
are going to run into these differences and biases in life,
why not teach students early on how to manage diversity?

Issues like school prayers at functions, how to teach evolution or
creation or even sex education, the Pledge of Allegiance, etc.
can be decided democratically by a system of input or even voting
among students and parents to come up with a fair policy that
represents the diversity of the student body and community.

I believe civics education should be required so people understand
the responsibility for due process they should respect and follow
if they want the same rights and freedoms under Constitutional laws.

ethics-commission.net

Absolutely not. That is not the point of education.

They certainly are parts of education, formal as well as informal. All of those subjects fit into a classroom, the appropriate classroom. For instance, ID would never be taught in the biology classroom. Civics education, for example, should be taught to all students. We find out that those taking the citizenship exam know far more about being an American that many, if not most, of our native-born citizens.

 

[Gadawg73]

All religions are taught in schools.
NOW
In religion class.
While we fight them as they call us anti Christian, God haters and such because we deny them to teach their religion in science class.