NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050214111207246

And the topic of this discussion is?

See, I don't have a problem with religion in schools. (If people must) BUT if it's compulsory students should be taught about different religions, and from a neutral point of view.
Failing that, students can attend scripture classes of their religion, and non-religious students can either attend seminars on various religions or have a study period or something. This is basically what happens at public schools in Australia. I attended 'non-scripture' and we had some pretty interesting forums from various religions. Also, non-Judaeo Christian students were catered for with visits to Buddhist and Hindu temples.

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/article.php?story=20050214111207246

I am the definition of a conservative. I am the definition of a republican. I am one of the biggest W fans you will ever meet, and that disgusts even me. Religion has absolutely no place in schools. I just don't see how that has gone on for as long as it has since the separation of church and state.
By the way:
Please do not use this topic to challenge my political views. They are my views, not yours, so don't complain. If you want to challenge my views, there are plenty of other topics that I participate in actively where we are debating politics, which would be an appropriate place to challenge my views. I will ignore any posts that challenge them.

See, I don't have a problem with religion in schools. (If people must) BUT if it's compulsory students should be taught about different religions, and from a neutral point of view.
Failing that, students can attend scripture classes of their religion, and non-religious students can either attend seminars on various religions or have a study period or something. This is basically what happens at public schools in Australia. I attended 'non-scripture' and we had some pretty interesting forums from various religions. Also, non-Judaeo Christian students were catered for with visits to Buddhist and Hindu temples.

I think it would be great to have it that way in America... I would really love to learn about other religions.

Here in the UK it's compulsary right up until we leave :(

But They drill the fact that they, no matter what our religious beliefs, will still teach us about other religions.

Though some people can refuse to go to their Religious Education on religious grounds =/

I am the definition of a conservative. I am the definition of a republican. I am one of the biggest W fans you will ever meet, and that disgusts even me. Religion has absolutely no place in schools. I just don't see how that has gone on for as long as it has since the separation of church and state.
By the way:
Please do not use this topic to challenge my political views. They are my views, not yours, so don't complain. If you want to challenge my views, there are plenty of other topics that I participate in actively where we are debating politics, which would be an appropriate place to challenge my views. I will ignore any posts that challenge them.

I'm not bashing you or attacking your politics. I'm just letting people know.

I think this is wonderful. Not because I think that school should be indoctrinating kids or anything, but because the schools are recognizing a simple truth about the Bible: Like it or not, it has been the greatest single influence on world history. There are good and bad parts to this influence, just as there are to most things. However, authors have quoted the Bible, used its themes, or alluded to it throughout the history of literature(English and Russian anyway, I can't speak for many others). Leaders have been inspired by it, opposition enraged by it, etc. If kids don't read it for themselves, see what all the fuss is about, how are they going to understand? How are they going to pick up on the biblical allusions in literature that are sometimes required in AP test? I think the school is just recognizing fact here.

I think it would be great to have it that way in America... I would really love to learn about other religions.
Yeah, it was interesting, although that part may have been unique to my school, scripture is still optional, at least in New South Wales.

Unfortunately we still got made to attend carol services and stuff. I mean... PUBLIC school... secular. At least if they were doing that we should have celebrated Diwali and Eid too!

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with teaching religion in schools, unless it's being forced. If students are required to take a religion course (like at my school), then it should cover at least the five major religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism).

But then, if it's a private school they can do whatever they want.

I'm not bashing you or attacking your politics. I'm just letting people know.

Im sorry, that may have been taken the wrong way. I was just saying that so other people wouldn't do it, I didn't mean to accuse you of doing it in any way.

There is religion is taught in many schools. We call it privet schools. I think if you wanna learn about religion go to one. Dont want those damn Atheists crying about something. When you live some where where most of the population is one religion your going to be subjected to it. So stop bitching about the Pledge of Allegiance.

Teaching religion in schools is good, as long as you get a good mix of religions and it isn't taught as absolute truth.

In my school, they taught about religion. They taught about many of them, but the teacher pciked at every flaw in all of the religions except Christianity, and seemed like he was trying to tell us that Christianity was better than all of the others.

In my school, they taught about religion. They taught about many of them, but the teacher pciked at every flaw in all of the religions except Christianity, and seemed like he was trying to tell us that Christianity was better than all of the others.

So, that's his opinion. Not defending him, but I wanted to point out it's not the school's fault.

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with teaching religion in schools, unless it's being forced. If students are required to take a religion course (like at my school), then it should cover at least the five major religions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism).

But then, if it's a private school they can do whatever they want.

In Britain we cover 6. Those and Sikhism. To get a general overview. And it works. I respect religions and understand their beliefs. The strength lies in that it is strictly neutral so there is no attempt to convert students or whatever. My best friend in school was a devout Protestant, another Catholic, several Islamic, one Hindu, and myself and several others atheist. We all got along fine and understood the others religions. And none chose to back out of that class, because it was fair and neutral.

So, that's his opinion. Not defending him, but I wanted to point out it's not the school's fault.
Yeah, I know it wasn't the school's fault, it was the history teacher. He did a bunch of things that were rather offensive...
He graded down any papers that weren't in full support of Chritianity, and mine about how separation of church and state is a good thing was labelled "full of hate and anti-Christianity", when it was nothing of the sort.

He was a teacher that also used racial slurs on a semi-regular basis, and wsn't all that good at teaching in the first place. I have no idea why he was hired...

Yeah, I know it wasn't the school's fault, it was the history teacher. He did a bunch of things that were rather offensive...
He graded down any papers that weren't in full support of Chritianity, and mine about how separation of church and state is a good thing was labelled "full of hate and anti-Christianity", when it was nothing of the sort.

He was a teacher that also used racial slurs on a semi-regular basis, and wsn't all that good at teaching in the first place. I have no idea why he was hired...

I had one history teacher who was a complete nutjob...
My year 11 one was a bit crazy, but sounds like exactly the opposite of the person you just described. He used to make us watch Pilger documentaries that had nothing whatsoever to do with the topic areas we were studying, but it was a great class. He was also late every period and would often just abandon us in the library. Good times.

Somehow I managed to top the grade in his class, and drop dramatically when I was moved to the class of someone who actively taught... weird.

How many of you went to a kindergarten and learn Christianity, and because of learning it in the kindergartens, It impressed you so much in your heart that you are still a Christian. Anybody?

Well, maybe it shouldn't be compulsory, but IMO it would be alot more fun than 'Moral class'. Learn about David & Goliath, Moses and the red sea etc etc.

It's still kindergarten, it'll bore them to death if you want to teach every single individual about religions, and it isn't feasible to accomodate all children of all religions.

At least it instill some good moral values. Well, if your not happy, then just teach Aesop fables or something. Become 'Moral class'.

Well i'm Australian and I go to a catholic school, our religion is compulsary but it is totally neutral, they ask at the start what we believe and repect that, it's great. We learn about all different religions.