Religion in school (choice, America, church, atheist, religions)

[Rex]

Religion in the Public Schools
Introduction
The issue of the proper role of religion in the public schools continues to be the subject of great controversy. School officials, parents and students ** as well as lawyers and judges ** wrestle with these questions every day. However, clear standards and guidance are elusive. This handbook will help provide a road map through this terrain.

It is important to bear in mind that this issue is extremely complex. Decision makers must address many competing demands, invariably looking to balance the twin constitutional mandates of separation of church and state and the right to freely exercise religion. They must include in their thinking the needs and rights of both the religious and the nonreligious. Furthermore, decision makers must strive toward a vision of a pluralistic America that is open and welcoming to all groups, including religious minorities.

This subject matter, while complex, does not have to be divisive. School districts should set forth clear policies regarding religion in the public schools that satisfy both the letter and the spirit of the First Amendment. Parents should become involved in the process of discussing these policies with educators, and approach difficulties with an understanding that mistakes and misinformation, not malice, underlie a great many of the problems that typically arise in this area.

Addressing these concerns about civility does not mean that those involved should understate the importance of these issues, nor should they shy away from insisting that their concerns be heard and addressed. Rather, all of us should recognize, although we may define it differently, that our common goal is to ensure that the vision of religious liberty upon which this nation was founded is preserved. Few Americans would disagree that our individual religious freedom is extremely precious, and no one should be subjected to inappropriate religious coercion.

The Anti-Defamation League has been fighting anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry since 1913 and, to that end, we have been fighting for the rights of religious minorities to practice their religions freely and without government interference. As a result, we have developed an expertise in this area. We encourage you to reach out to your local Anti-Defamation League Regional Office any time you think we can be of assistance.


from:www.adl.org

[deahca2]

So many private schools to teach the religion of our choice and not offend anyone ( this includes atheists). In public schools we get a general education, religion ( correct me if I'm wrong) is not general but VERY specific. If someone cannot afford to send their children to a separate school to be taught their particular religion, then it should be taught at home by their parents and specifically taught as they believe it.
If religion does appear in schools, it should be completely impartial , perhaps Comparitive Religion? and taught as an ELECTIVE by those old enough to make this decision.
A specific religion, IMO< should not be taught in Public GENERAL education.
Deah

[Rex]

Originally Posted by deahca2

So many private schools to teach the religion of our choice and not offend anyone ( this includes atheists). In public schools we get a general education, religion ( correct me if I'm wrong) is not general but VERY specific. If someone cannot afford to send their children to a separate school to be taught their particular religion, then it should be taught at home by their parents and specifically taught as they believe it.
If religion does appear in schools, it should be completely impartial , perhaps Comparitive Religion? and taught as an ELECTIVE by those old enough to make this decision.
A specific religion, IMO< should not be taught in Public GENERAL education.
Deah

I can totally agree with that.

Give the student a choice of what they want to learn.

[RavenRose]

That is an interesting idea.

[ErikaLee]

It would be a good idea... except that the parents wouldn't let them make the decision. I know my parents wouldn't have.

EL

[Runt]

Deah said:

If religion does appear in schools, it should be completely impartial , perhaps Comparitive Religion? and taught as an ELECTIVE by those old enough to make this decision.

I agree with the first half but not the second half. I think children should be taught Comparative Religion from early childhood in school with the lectures revolving around "They believe" instead of "This is the way it is"/"this is the Truth". That way children will get a variety of worldviews as they grow up, can learn to see the merit in all religions, and can make an educated decision on their religious views later that is not simply based on "This is the way I was taught to believe by my parents".

I think this would help to end much of the animosity between different religions.

[deahca2]

Early age? Then it would be at the discretion of the parents. I doubt that a country with the predominant religion being one that has "the truth" will countinence ( sp?) any other view. The only reality, I see is having the course at a later age when the child is old enough to make their own decisions on the matter.

[Runt]

LOL, that is why I say it is a "should" and not a "will". I was speaking of the ideal situation in which all politicians see things my way and make policies accordingly.

Unfortunatly, we have too many people who insist on mixing politics with religion...

[ErikaLee]

I don't think it's right, but they do have numbers on their side. And they use them.

I also believe that nearly everything should be up to an open vote.. but my husband says that's a fallable process... bah! I say.

Anyway, Religion in School.. negative. School should be about Logic and Science and Facts - it should be kept that way. They can get Religion at home - I did, and that worked fine (for a time )

EL

[Runt]

I also believe that nearly everything should be up to an open vote.. but my husband says that's a fallable process... bah! I say.

The problem with true democracy is that it can actually lead to serious abuses of the minority by the majority. Representative democracy means that majority votes of representatives contain a far greater precentage of minority votes... especially since minority voting blocks are supposed to be kept intact when legislators draw district lines.

Anyway, Religion in School.. negative. School should be about Logic and Science and Facts - it should be kept that way. They can get Religion at home

I don't think kids should get religion in school so much as comparative religions. For example, in World History we studied Buddhism for a while, and the teacher said things like "The general beliefs of Buddhism include...the Eightfold Path basically says..." Thus, children would learn about world religions without the teachers actually being proponents of any.

The problem with leaving religion in the home is that, in truth, it is not fair to the children. Basically, parents brainwash their own kids from an early age so that, when they ARE old enough to make the decision for themselves as to what they want to believe, they are already firm "believers" because they have been TOLD what to believe instead of exploring to see what beliefs fit them best...