Should Religions Be Taught in Schools?

[The Free Joy State]

I'd agree with that, but only up to a point.

Definitely R.E should be taught in schools from a cultural and historical perspective, but I don't think religious clubs should be run in schools. School clubs have so much more they could offer in clubs: sports, the arts, languages, social clubs.

Kids can join church youth clubs to be converted.

Well where I am, religious clubs are student made, with a teacher supervisor.

When I was growing up, all clubs were organised and run by the school.

I'd agree with that, but only up to a point.

I don't think religious clubs should be run by schools. School clubs have so much more they could offer in clubs: sports, the arts, languages, social clubs.

Kids can join church youth clubs to be converted.

I've been asking a lot of people this question, I think yes, but I'll ask you.
Should religious schools be able to filter out stuff that go against their religion?

The school's religion may not be the child's religion when they grow.

And, no. I think all children -- regardless of the school they go to -- should have the right to a complete and balanced education, not an indoctrination.

All schools should have a legal duty to teach the children in their care full scientific and historical facts, and the full national curriculum (where applicable) and equip them to take national qualifications that they will be ready for life. Regardless of whether or not that information coincides with their religious beliefs.

[Estanglia]

I've been asking a lot of people this question, I think yes, but I'll ask you.
Should religious schools be able to filter out stuff that go against their religion?

If it's a private school then they are allowed to do whatever they want pretty much, not that that's a good thing. Morally it should be reprehensable to force a child to practice a religion. I'm looking at you mormons.

I'm of the opinion that private schools shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want.

A school shouldn't get the right to not give their students a proper education just because they're private. They should, at the bare minimum, provide what we expect public schools to provide.

So to answer La xinga's question, no, religious schools shouldn't be allowed to filter out stuff that goes against their religion.

[Geneviev]

Whatever is necessary that they can afford. There aren't infinite teachers, so they shouldn't teach Hinduism when there aren't many students who believe in it, for example.

That's going to be hard in a very diverse country.

I went to school with Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Wiccans, Pagans, and a myriad of different Christian denominations.

If you teach one religion, you have to teach them all. And it's going to be a pandoras box; just wait until different denominations just within Christianity feel ignored.

Classes about religion should be optional, and should be in University. Period.

You don't really have to teach every religion. That's not possible, sadly. You can still teach the most common ones and everyone else is in something like Ethik in Germany as a substitute for religion.

No one will listen if they're not interested, though. That kid is more likely to be bullied.

And that statement is based on what, pray tell? The "all Christians are automatically victims" meme?

I wouldn't say that all Christians are automatically victims, but they can be bullied in school if they talk about their beliefs. Other kids will act like there's something wrong with them.

[La Xinga]

If it's a private school then they are allowed to do whatever they want pretty much, not that that's a good thing. Morally it should be reprehensable to force a child to practice a religion. I'm looking at you mormons.

I'm of the opinion that private schools shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want.

A school shouldn't get the right to not give their students a proper education just because they're private. They should, at the bare minimum, provide what we expect public schools to provide.

So to answer La xinga's question, no, religious schools shouldn't be allowed to filter out stuff that goes against their religion.

So I see like, no one agrees with me here. OK.

[The Greater German Reich of Europe]

Here’s my problem with this, I believe that we should have religion in schools yet the problem is it would never work efficiently and effectively. I may want this to happen but if we look at our current society especially in the US this would go against a lot of things people stand against. There should be certain schools that can and can’t teach religion. For instance if the community is a religious community then sure it should have a class about religion but if it is a highly diverse community such as a major city then it could be an optional class. overall if there’s an mandatory class in early grade school and then later on in Middle and High school a optional class that’s fine. If you do not want to keep doing it then you can stop but if one wants to keep on learning then they can. Still everything I said will never ever work out as most schools especially public are going to have a few people who will take the issue to national headlines. Anyway we are already accommodating numerous different religions in most schools and this would be highly offensive to them and again cause another national news issue. I know because around my area schools of 400 to 700 kids are accommodating certain religions(Islam) because of one maybe two children.

I could go on about other issues about how we shouldn’t be accommodating some of these religions because of one person but that would drag this on too long. But my primary point is that mandatory religious classes or even optional in public classes would NEVER EVER work with our kind of society here in the United States.

[Estanglia]

I'm of the opinion that private schools shouldn't be allowed to do whatever they want.

A school shouldn't get the right to not give their students a proper education just because they're private. They should, at the bare minimum, provide what we expect public schools to provide.

So to answer La xinga's question, no, religious schools shouldn't be allowed to filter out stuff that goes against their religion.

So I see like, no one agrees with me here. OK.

I think I said before in this thread that I don't find religion to be a compelling reason for special treatment/exemptions. That applies here.

A religious school should be treated like any other irreligious school in its situation. Since I believe all schools should be made to teach the same thing at a minimum (to ensure that a child doesn't end up societally stunted because the school they went to didn't care to teach its students what is needed to fit in with society), religious schools should too, regardless of how much it goes against their beliefs.

[Satuga]

Here’s my problem with this, I believe that we should have religion in schools yet the problem is it would never work efficiently and effectively. I may want this to happen but if we look at our current society especially in the US this would go against a lot of things people stand against. There should be certain schools that can and can’t teach religion. For instance if the community is a religious community then sure it should have a class about religion but if it is a highly diverse community such as a major city then it could be an optional class. overall if there’s an mandatory class in early grade school and then later on in Middle and High school a optional class that’s fine. If you do not want to keep doing it then you can stop but if one wants to keep on learning then they can. Still everything I said will never ever work out as most schools especially public are going to have a few people who will take the issue to national headlines. Anyway we are already accommodating numerous different religions in most schools and this would be highly offensive to them and again cause another national news issue. I know because around my area schools of 400 to 700 kids are accommodating certain religions(Islam) because of one maybe two children.

I could go on about other issues about how we shouldn’t be accommodating some of these religions because of one person but that would drag this on too long. But my primary point is that mandatory religious classes or even optional in public classes would NEVER EVER work with our kind of society here in the United States.

Ah yes, brainwash the kids when they're young, and then give them the option to opt out. That makes a whole lot of sense lol.

[The Greater German Reich of Europe]

That was my opinion on the subject and if you read it throughly then you should of seen the fact that I said that it would NOT work in our modern society. Read the whole thing before saying things like that.

[Satuga]

That was my opinion on the subject and if you read it throughly then you should of seen the fact that I said that it would NOT work in our modern society. Read the whole thing before saying things like that.

That doesn't change the fact that you said you were fine with mandatory teachings of young kids.

[Geneviev]

Here’s my problem with this, I believe that we should have religion in schools yet the problem is it would never work efficiently and effectively. I may want this to happen but if we look at our current society especially in the US this would go against a lot of things people stand against. There should be certain schools that can and can’t teach religion. For instance if the community is a religious community then sure it should have a class about religion but if it is a highly diverse community such as a major city then it could be an optional class. overall if there’s an mandatory class in early grade school and then later on in Middle and High school a optional class that’s fine. If you do not want to keep doing it then you can stop but if one wants to keep on learning then they can. Still everything I said will never ever work out as most schools especially public are going to have a few people who will take the issue to national headlines. Anyway we are already accommodating numerous different religions in most schools and this would be highly offensive to them and again cause another national news issue. I know because around my area schools of 400 to 700 kids are accommodating certain religions(Islam) because of one maybe two children.

I could go on about other issues about how we shouldn’t be accommodating some of these religions because of one person but that would drag this on too long. But my primary point is that mandatory religious classes or even optional in public classes would NEVER EVER work with our kind of society here in the United States.

Ah yes, brainwash the kids when they're young, and then give them the option to opt out. That makes a whole lot of sense lol.

It does make sense, if you want to keep them and still act like it was a choice.

[Daves Computer]

Instead of forcing students to take on a religious faith because of how popular it is and make accomodations for those whose families take on another, why not just exclude the fostering of religious faith from schools entirely? Rather than require students to practice a certain faith and take the time, energy, and money of the school to coordinate these programs, these ought to instead be afterschool programs run by the churches themselves, which parents can send their children to at their own discretion.

[Kernen]

Instead of forcing students to take on a religious faith because of how popular it is and make accomodations for those whose families take on another, why not just exclude the fostering of religious faith from schools entirely? Rather than require students to practice a certain faith and take the time, energy, and money of the school to coordinate these programs, these ought to instead be afterschool programs run by the churches themselves, which parents can send their children to at their own discretion.

What a novel and fair idea. But aren't you worried that some religious groups will feel that being treated equally is itself an attack on their obviously special faith?

[The Greater German Reich of Europe]

Then how come for two weeks in jr high I had to learn about Islam while Christianity was not taught at ALL. For Pete sakes. My little brother when he was in Elementary school had a kid who was islamic and he said that the US was an awful horrible place and he did not do the pledge of allegiance even though he is A US citizen. Heck the kids who are in 3rd grade could not have a Christmas party! They had to call it a winter party! To make matters worse some mom said in an email for this party that the Islamic kid’s mom was on that it was a Christmas party. Long story short the school was sued(mom is a lawyer) and now the district pay for all 3 of her kids to go to a private school! And you say that we quote “can’t accommodate Christianity” when a majority of the population is already Christian and yet we are accommodating one Muslim kid in a school of 700 in the US. Would people in Saudi Arabia call it Christmas party? I think not. If you say we cannot accommodate Christians then we accommodate nobody. Period

[Daves Computer]

Instead of forcing students to take on a religious faith because of how popular it is and make accomodations for those whose families take on another, why not just exclude the fostering of religious faith from schools entirely? Rather than require students to practice a certain faith and take the time, energy, and money of the school to coordinate these programs, these ought to instead be afterschool programs run by the churches themselves, which parents can send their children to at their own discretion.

What a novel and fair idea. But aren't you worried that some religious groups will feel that being treated equally is itself an attack on their obviously special faith?

What a terrible shame! It's a necessary evil unfortunately.

[Kernen]

Then how come for two weeks in jr high I had to learn about Islam while Christianity was not taught at ALL. For Pete sakes. My little brother when he was in Elementary school had a kid who was islamic and he said that the US was an awful horrible place and he did not do the pledge of allegiance even though he is A US citizen. Heck the kids who are in 3rd grade could not have a Christmas party! They had to call it a winter party! To make matters worse some mom said in an email for this party that the Islamic kid’s mom was on that it was a Christmas party. Long story short the school was sued(mom is a lawyer) and now the district pay for all 3 of her kids to go to a private school! And you say that we quote “can’t accommodate Christianity” when a majority of the population is already Christian and yet we are accommodating one Muslim kid in a school of 700 in the US. Would people in Saudi Arabia call it Christmas party? I think not. If you say we cannot accommodate Christians then we accommodate nobody. Period

Making the party nonreligious and not just an Islam party is itself accommodation for everybody.

Also, what in earth is wrong with not saying the pledge? Citizens certainly needn't say it if they do not wish to.

[The Greater German Reich of Europe]

We accommodate no religion if we can’t apparently accommodate the single largest religion that more than half of the United States population is a part of.

[Rojava Free State]

Then how come for two weeks in jr high I had to learn about Islam while Christianity was not taught at ALL. For Pete sakes. My little brother when he was in Elementary school had a kid who was islamic and he said that the US was an awful horrible place and he did not do the pledge of allegiance even though he is A US citizen. Heck the kids who are in 3rd grade could not have a Christmas party! They had to call it a winter party! To make matters worse some mom said in an email for this party that the Islamic kid’s mom was on that it was a Christmas party. Long story short the school was sued(mom is a lawyer) and now the district pay for all 3 of her kids to go to a private school! And you say that we quote “can’t accommodate Christianity” when a majority of the population is already Christian and yet we are accommodating one Muslim kid in a school of 700 in the US. Would people in Saudi Arabia call it Christmas party? I think not. If you say we cannot accommodate Christians then we accommodate nobody. Period

You're mad about a third grader hating America? He's 8 years old, you can't take his opinion seriously.

[Kernen]

We accommodate no religion if we can’t apparently accommodate the single largest religion that more than half of the United States population is a part of.

You're welcome to celebrate Christmas at home. That's accommodation.

[Geneviev]

Then how come for two weeks in jr high I had to learn about Islam while Christianity was not taught at ALL. For Pete sakes. My little brother when he was in Elementary school had a kid who was islamic and he said that the US was an awful horrible place and he did not do the pledge of allegiance even though he is A US citizen. Heck the kids who are in 3rd grade could not have a Christmas party! They had to call it a winter party! To make matters worse some mom said in an email for this party that the Islamic kid’s mom was on that it was a Christmas party. Long story short the school was sued(mom is a lawyer) and now the district pay for all 3 of her kids to go to a private school! And you say that we quote “can’t accommodate Christianity” when a majority of the population is already Christian and yet we are accommodating one Muslim kid in a school of 700 in the US. Would people in Saudi Arabia call it Christmas party? I think not. If you say we cannot accommodate Christians then we accommodate nobody. Period

Not saying the pledge? I fail to see how that matters. Anyway, what you're describing is essentially neutrality. When I talk about Christians being disadvantaged, I don't mean neutrality. You can probably find better examples if that's what you're trying to prove. Treating religions equally, which you described, isn't a bad thing.

[Daves Computer]

We accommodate no religion if we can’t apparently accommodate the single largest religion that more than half of the United States population is a part of.

That sounds fair. Accommodate no religion and keep public schools secular. :¬)

[The Greater German Reich of Europe]

@kernen, the school accommodated the kid by letting him get out his prayer mat before a dodge ball game and pray to Mecca. Also the school had called it a Christmas party for years upon years and not a single person thought it was wrong. 85% of the community is religious Yet we let him do all of this. How would you like it if instead of calling soccer soccer we called it football just because one kid was from Europe. How is this any different? Also the kid can’t just go around and say he hates America and that our soldiers throw rocks at his people. Oh and the kid’s father was on the no fly list.

[Daves Computer]

@kernen, the school accommodated the kid by letting him get out his prayer mat before a dodge ball game and pray to Mecca. Also the school had called it a Christmas party for years upon years and not a single person thought it was wrong. 85% of the community is religious Yet we let him do all of this. How would you like it if instead of calling soccer soccer we called it football just because one kid was from Europe. How is this any different? Also the kid can’t just go around and say he hates America and that our soldiers throw rocks at his people. Oh and the kid’s father was on the no fly list.

I don't see anything wrong with religious tolerance and secularism. If one person is of a different religious faith, neither you nor the school should be upset that he doesn't simply follow along with another faith's practices. Whether his father was on the no-fly list or not means nothing. The son and many other people of other faiths deserve respect regardless.

[Qabea]

Then how come for two weeks in jr high I had to learn about Islam while Christianity was not taught at ALL. For Pete sakes. My little brother when he was in Elementary school had a kid who was islamic and he said that the US was an awful horrible place and he did not do the pledge of allegiance even though he is A US citizen. Heck the kids who are in 3rd grade could not have a Christmas party! They had to call it a winter party! To make matters worse some mom said in an email for this party that the Islamic kid’s mom was on that it was a Christmas party. Long story short the school was sued(mom is a lawyer) and now the district pay for all 3 of her kids to go to a private school! And you say that we quote “can’t accommodate Christianity” when a majority of the population is already Christian and yet we are accommodating one Muslim kid in a school of 700 in the US. Would people in Saudi Arabia call it Christmas party? I think not. If you say we cannot accommodate Christians then we accommodate nobody. Period

Considering that Jesus and the Virgin Mary are both venerated in Islam and that if you look up "Do Muslims celebrate Christmas?" the results seem neutral towards the holiday, I highly doubt this story.

[Kernen]

@kernan, the school accommodated the kid by letting him get out his prayer mat before a dodge ball game and pray to Mecca.

Ok. And you're allowed to pray before you eat. That's accommodation.

Also the school had called it a Christmas party for years upon years and not a single person thought it was wrong. 85% of the community is religious Yet we let him do all of this.

That it was always done thusly does not alone make it right. Welcome to evolving views of inclusivity. This is like saying nobody had a problem with racial segregation so why is it a problem now?

How would you like it if instead of calling soccer soccer we called it football just because one kid was from Europe. How is this any different?

Nobody is forcing you to pray facing Mecca. Just that you not stop him from doing so. Nobody is forcing either of you to celebrate the other's religious holiday. You can both do it at home. Bad analogy.

also the kid can’t just go around an d say he hates America and that our soldiers throw rocks at his people. Oh and the kid’s father was on the no fly list.

So? You can say you hate America. You have first amendment rights that say you can. As does he.

[Qabea]

@kernen, the school accommodated the kid by letting him get out his prayer mat before a dodge ball game and pray to Mecca. Also the school had called it a Christmas party for years upon years and not a single person thought it was wrong. 85% of the community is religious Yet we let him do all of this. How would you like it if instead of calling soccer soccer we called it football just because one kid was from Europe. How is this any different? Also the kid can’t just go around and say he hates America and that our soldiers throw rocks at his people. Oh and the kid’s father was on the no fly list.

My school used to accommodate me by allowing me to go to church during extracurricular activities that required me to travel somewhere over a Sunday. Moral of the story is, if you legit need to have a religious accommodation, people are willing to accept that. I see nothing wrong with letting him pray because I've been in his shoes.