Religion As Curriculum (beliefs, myth, church, dogma, catholic)

[Lightkeeper]

Shouldn't religion be studied in school as part sociology and anthropology or even history? Religion is a strong part of any culture, why is it avoided in the first 12 years of school?

[Lintu]

I think the problem is that many parents don't want their children exposed to a system that's going to tell their kids that all religions are equally valid. (To me, that's a great thing to teach, but to others, it's undermining their religious instruction in the home). I remember some parents not being happy with us learning about Greek gods and goddesses, although it was allowed in the name of literature. The "myth" aspect was always strongly emphasized. It's really too bad...I think it's great to know the background of many different religions when you're growing up. It helps you decide what you really believe in.

[Ceridwen018]

LOL. I guess it depends on where you go to school. I've been taking religion/theology classes for every one of the 11 or so years I've been in school. Of course, I've gone to Catholic school my whole life, but I still had to laugh at your worry of religious education being 'avoided'. if you want religious education, there are plenty of people more than happy to give it to you! In fact, just sit in a comfortable chair, tilt your head back, and they'll shove it down your throat with no unecessary energy expenditure on your part.

Then again, what Lintu said rings true. Although I recieved religious education, it was (and still is) incredibly one-sided. Other religions are presented strictly as mythical, and even Church reformers (Martin Luther, etc.)are branded as 'mentally unstable' or 'misunderstanding'.

[Dadball]

I think teaching religion as it pertains to the culture of the society is appropriate. To understand the Acient world, you have to dive into religions of Egypt, Greece, Palistine and more. Westren Civilization is the result of a religion.

I don't think schools should teach dogma or individual beliefs. I believe that is the parents job.

[cardero]

I think that as a cultural/history teaching it would BE ideal. Even if the course was for half a year it wouldn’t cover every different belief system. I wouldn’t go into specific religious publications but just cover the many different denominations, explain how they acquired their beliefs, what are their organization’s foundation beliefs. I think many children would find it fascinating.

[Lintu]

You know, what I just realized is that we did get a fair and balanced view of many different world religions...but it wasn't until senior year, and it was only in an International Baccalaureate philosophy class--not available to the general school public. I found it enlightening and fascinating.

Maybe there is also a view in education that there isn't time to be teaching kids any more than the basics? I mean, it takes a lot just to get kids up to grade level in the required subjects in many situations, so perhaps it's seen as unnecessary to bring in any more topics?

[Runt]

I think comparative religion classes should be taught as a requirement in school. Even if a student does not believe this or that, it is still a fact that OTHERS believe and their beliefs affect their interaction with other human beings, the environment, etc. Thus, it is important to learn a little about the beliefs of others to that we can come to better understand others and the world. Much of history has been affected by religion, and much of it will continue to be, whether we believe what a particular religion teaches or not. We should not, however, indoctrinate our students with religious beliefs. I.E. the classes should be taught as "<Insert religion here> believes <insert beliefs here>" rather than "<Insert belief here>".

[cardero]

runt writes: I think comparative religion classes should be taught as a requirement in school. Even if a student does not believe this or that, it is still a fact that OTHERS believe and their beliefs affect their interaction with other human beings, the environment, etc. Thus, it is important to learn a little about the beliefs of others to that we can come to better understand others and the world. Much of history has been affected by religion, and much of it will continue to be, whether we believe what a particular religion teaches or not. We should not, however, indoctrinate our students with religious beliefs. I.E. the classes should be taught as "<Insert religion here> believes <insert beliefs here>" rather than "<Insert belief here>".

Schools can call it RESPECT '101'.

[painted wolf]

I was forunate enough to have a class in 'non-western' history that covered the major non-christian religions and how they shaped the history and cultures of the world around us. I learned the major tennants of Hinduism, Buddism, Islam, Taoism, et cet. We also covered anchient religions like that of Egypt and Zooasertarianism(sp?) and the like.
I found it to be a wonderful class that has helped me realize that the world is more than the history of Rome and the Christian religion

wa:do