Religion in schools

I don't want religion to be taught in public schools because each student come from different religions. However, I would rather opt for VALUES EDUCATION subject. If we want our children to be taught religion, then we should enroll them to a schools that teaches our religion. Here in my country there are Baptist, Catholic and 7th Day Adventist schools. Philippines is known to be a Christian nation and a Catholic one too. So it may follow that the religion that may be taught at our schools would be Catholicism which would be grossly unfair to other religions. What is important for me in the curriculum is the values education that would help shape and mold our children to become upstanding citizens of our country. Let us just leave our respective churches and families to teach us all about our religion

I have no desire for religion to be back in the schools like it use to be..I think its disrespectful to all other religions actually...BUT I'd be fine with there being a religious education class with a show and tell/sharing type base to it though..In fact I think somethign along those lines would be great actually...However..the first problem I see would be the parents you mentioned that would be horrified at the thought of little Suzi or Tommy being taught something different ESPECIALLY if they are being taught to believe that other religions are safe, valid and real....the SECOND problem I see would be Suzi or Tommy not being able to open their minds because they've been brainwashed and that fact resulting in not showing respect and in classroom fights etc.... HOWEVER that being said...I think that it could be better dealt wiht in the later grades....I mean lets say grade 7 and 8 and then have it being an optional class in high school or somethign like that.....

I think removing religion from the school system is a big mistake. God has been removed from everything else, so taking Him out of schools isn't such a surprise. With all due respect to anyone and their beliefs, the United States was originally formed by Godly men, dedicated to God, and operated under Godly principals. While it's true we all come from different backgrounds and belief systems and we all have the right to study and worship our own way, that doesn't necessarily give anyone the right to dictate or complain over how the country (government, language, schools, etc.,) is run or whether or not God is allowed in the ciricumlum. Being politically correct, like many other issues, has been pushed to the edge of being abused. While the people of the United States have been forced to 'accomodate' other people and their beliefs, our own beliefs and 'systems' have been compromised. Instead of taking God out of everything and humbly telling everyone to home school, simply inform 'others' who have no interest in God in school, taking classes in a God based religion is, has always been, and will always be, an elective. No one was ever forced to attend a class of any kind. The only classes that were not elective were math, reading, history, geography and science. Any other class has always been an elective. I would humbly tell the people who don't want the class, simply, don't attend it. Why should we be forced to take God out of school just to accomodate someone else? We, as American Christians, have been forced to give up ideas, ideals, beliefs and our way of life by those who push political correctness. It's high time we stood up for what we believe in and stop bowing down to others. (That's just MY opinion).

I think religion should be taught in schools. So much war occurs because of misunderstanding about religion. If we do not learn about different viewpoints we cannot begin to understand eachother and thus end the torturings/killings and war that occur because people of different religions are not made aware of other religions

I also see no harm in teaching kids about the various religions and beliefs. I think It could be taught in a way that did not favor any particular religion but just was informative. I see nothing wrong with it. It seems to me that the only ones making the choices about these things are really the only ones bothered by them.

I am 16 and in the last year of high school, I am in the UK and here it is compulsory to have 1 hour RE lesson per 2 week timetable. I am atheist and believe that no single man however great could create something as good as the world, i know there are different ways to prove and disprove he was here and is actually the man who we know as 'god' We also get taught about all different religions, buddhism etc. I find these interesting and all, but when the RE lessons are forced on you i dont think that it is right. I feel that people should have the choice to dictate whether they 'have' to learn about this or not. Personally i would rather be getting on with my qualification (GCSE) subject coureworks which have to be in, in a short while; this is just my opinion and i know that everyone feels differently about this matter. I also go to an all boys school and 90% of them feel the same was i do. If you want to take it then you should be allowed to, if not then you dont have to, i fell that it should be forced upon you at this age. ...Thats just my opinion :/

I am a passout from a christian school. So I have seen that nobody forces a non-christian to attend the classes!! Only for we christians its necessary to study the subject christianity .. the classes are called cathecism (there may be a spelling mistake*) and it was like one of our compulsory subject in school and others where taught "Moral science" and in it no religion is involved and its totaly like teaching humanity to students...!! And why do you need an atheist for that. You just have to be practicle towards your job..!! I never saw anyone forcing to learn about other religion. :)

wHILE i am aware of all kinds of different religions and all different beliefs,it is possible to teach christain morals without teaching doctrine...When i went to school, we would pledge allengence to the flag, and uses the word "Under God" and do not remember anyone getting offended...We were taught christain values,such as like the 10 commandments, of course they were not called the 10 commandments, but the rules were, we do not steal, do not kill, hit, spit, on our classmates..We were taught not to fight,take something that was not ours, do not poke fun at other students..It was taught to us in that manner, but not under the name of religion..Then that Madeline Ohare hit the scene with her athiest crap and she started all the athiest to come out of the wood work...We were fine the way we were..We were taught christain morals but not doctrine...thats how it should have stayed..We were fine before her and her .junk started...I just took my kids out of public schools when they were very young and put all five of my children in christian private schools.....

I don't think most atheist can teach religion well. Btw, religion is just too broad a term.

I don't object to religion being taught in Public Schools but I do however think it should be by choice to take the classes and should not be forced on anyone.

I have no problem with Religious Education in Public schools as long at its unbiased. But religious teaching doesn't come this way. The Catholic Church has stated Publicly," If we can get them by 6 we can keep them for a lifetime!" We need to educate our kids to the religions of the World and then allow them Free Choice! Wouldn't this go over like a Lead Balloon? Do you think an atheist would more unbiased than a regular Teacher, to teach religious Studies?

i agree with your view points but on the other hand i would preffer religion be kept seperate from acedemics in public schools. If a parent so chooses they can send their kid to a religious school, although it would not be a bad idea to interduce it as an elective in high school.

I to believe that school should allow teachings of religions. I remember when I was in highschool we learned a tiny bit on some religions like hindu and the other ones that were kina similar...but never christianity... ...I am not a big history person. But what I thought was that when the country was founded on the beliefs of their religion. In the American dollar it says "In God We Trust". So schools are part of the government. So I don't understand what the deal is...I think that they should teach other religions too, not just christianity. To teach, not preach.

I think it would great to teach religion in schools. I thought they still kind of did they just have to call it history? One of the problems with teaching modern day religion is how many different versions of each there are now. For example Paganism can include neo pagans, wiccans, druids, gardinarians, ect.....and even within those there are hundreds of different belief systems. Even Chritians have branched off into assembly of Gods' and such. As much as I would love it I dont see how it is possible without offending someone. I think that they could only teach the history of and maybe work it into how it differs now, But not much else.

hi, there ..actually atheism is another belief or philosophy, since contrary to what most people have somehow come to think, evolution as origins is no where near ever having been proven, in fact many scientists are now rejecting it, even though most up to date science finds are suppressed.. i.e. the textbooks are way outdated.. also "phantom weapons" were believed to be in Iraq by all the western countries intelligence.. and they also filled a few mass graves.. And such things in the wrong hands will end all debate as to religion and philosophy.

I don't think it's right to have any ONE religion taught in a PUBLIC school. I think if there are going to be religious classes in public schools it should be a class on WORLD religions, with as many religions as possible, taught. If there is to be one religion, it should be in it's own school. If separate religions are to be taught in public schools there should be an OPTION to take that class.

well?? thats your opinion!!and i respect it..its what your perspective on beliefs..since your atheist..actually i had taught my children well about God and faith while they are still young and not yet at school..and very much confident that they had already a foundation on it and cant be swayed or lured to other belief..and it shows i guess..and no matter what you believe in as long as your in the right path socially and morally then no worries...

I agree and think religion should be taught as a part of history or social studies class. In other words, it's not the place of the public schools to indoctrinate our kids but educating them is a different story altogether. Annie

Just so you know where this response is coming from (LOL), I went to a private Christian (Baptist) school all my life. I think if parents want to send their children to private schools, great. More power to them. If they want to control everything their children learn, as you said, they really should find the time to homeschool them. Having been from a private school, I'd say it was a great experience. It was nice being in a smaller school where everyone knows just about everyone else. For this reason, however, there's a lot more drama! (LOL) I think public schools should stay out of the whole religion thing; in other words, religion should stay out of the public schools. I think it's more trouble than it's worth and there are so many controversies over the issue. I like what you said about parents homeschooling their children. If they want their children to be educated in a certain way, they should do it themselves. That's the way I am. If I want something done "my way," I just do it myself! That's the best thing to do. However, if religion must be taught in the public school, I think the students should be educated about a wide variety. After all, school is for education. I don't think it would be fair to talk about one religion without talking about another. It's only right that the students learn about all viewpoints, not so much for them to choose a religion, but for education's sake. It keeps everything balanced and that way, the school won't seem as if it's trying to push an certain religion on its students. If the public school is trying not to push religion on its students, which I believe is true, it should either teach about all religions (or at the least the most prominent ones) or none at all. It only makes sense that way to me. Great discussion! I'm glad you walked on thin ice for this one. It definitely keeps things interesting around here!

Religion shouldn't be taught in public schools, but it shouldn't be banned either. I remember a group of students when I was in middle school who had to risk truancy charges to cross the street for a morning prayer, because they were not allowed to meet on school grounds. That is just crazy - they weren't effecting anyone, but the principal had to ban them from meeting on school grounds, or fear a lawsuit. In college I took a class on world religions - it was one of my favorite classes, but it was not public school - it was in college, and completely voluntary.