DOES RELIGION STILL HAVE A PLACE IN SCHOOLS?
@notewise777 (247)
Cape Town, South Africa
June 25, 2018 9:00pm CST
My young son yesterday came from school and being the type of parent I was I asked him how his day was. He responded and I quote "daddy, miss E* told me today that I must not pray before I write my test as there are learners with different religions in class".
As you might imagine I Instantaneously became furious as I was the one who taught him to silently pray even if he is prepared for a test in order to become relaxed and focused. As he was busy with his studies, I contacted this specific teacher who referred me to the principal. He in turned advised that it was school policy not to expose learners to too many religions as it left them confused.
I will obviously go into school tomorrow and explore the matter further but that's not the reason for this debate. The question I have is whether RELIGION IN GENERAL STILL HAVE A PLACE IN SCHOOLS and the reasons for your answer, as I'm trying to ascertain whether there is a basis for this argument.
As always, I'm looking forward to all viewpoints/opinions and will as always attempt to respond to all.
11 people like this
13 responses
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
26 Jun 18
There are different types of schools in my country. Some of them are religious schools of different faiths. But there are also schools where no religion is taught.
5 people like this
@marguicha (223795)
• Chile
27 Jun 18
@notewise777 You are absolutely right. Unless the praying is so evident that disturbs the others from their answering the test. I have a catholic friend who will disrupt a meal as we all have to pray with our heads bent before we start the meal. I don´t invite her for more than a coffee anymore.
2 people like this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@marguicha 
Luckily I'm not that extreme. The matter was however dealt with and myself together with the school were able to come to a compromise.
Luckily I'm not that extreme. The matter was however dealt with and myself together with the school were able to come to a compromise.1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@marguicha Which I have no problem if it is not taught - but surely no school has the right to instruct a child not to PRACTICE their own religion whilst not disturbing anyone - you agree?
1 person likes this
@GopherDanny (814)
• Philippines
26 Jun 18
That teacher had no say in what you teach your child. We find comfort in prayers and knowing that God is there to guide us and help us through everything gives us the strength and wisdom we need to tackle each problem. Your child has prayed, as you taught him to whenever he needs help from God and it's not right that the teacher would discourage his own beliefs and faith.
I do believe sincerely that religion should still have a place in our schools. It teaches children discipline, faith, etc. Just like how spirituality helped shaped every nation, students need it as much.
3 people like this
@GopherDanny (814)
• Philippines
26 Jun 18
@Ladanger Indeed. There's nothing wrong if a student, a child has faith and religion. No one should interfere with what you believe in no matter what it is for the only one who can change your own beliefs are you, yourself.
2 people like this
@Ladanger (14578)
• United States
26 Jun 18
@GopherDanny the parent should give a complaint
1 person likes this
@sw8sincere (5204)
• Philippines
26 Jun 18
i would also be furious with that situation. Religion should never be equalize and therefore should be treated with due respect to each and every child.
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@sw8sincere You are so right - I have always taught my child from a very young age to be respectful of all religions he encounters and have, with the support of other parents at the school, now taken the matter forward to the courts.
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
26 Jun 18
Hi Heinrich. I do not know about that school but in out schools here, religion is part of the curriculum. It does not form people to convert but at least allows and respects the beliefs other religions.
3 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
27 Jun 18
@notewise777 I just actually like a religion subject that tackles all faith and learn about them but not necessarily coerce you to join. Just awareness about the it.
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
Hi Louise. It used to be part of ours as well, but understandably due to the lack of resources was integrated into another subject. And you're right, it teaches kids tolerance towards once another and for each other's religions which is the exact reason I have no taken the matter to the courts for litigation.
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@mlgen1037 I feel you on that one - That's exactly what we had in my daye and no one was offended one bit. It was just a case of learning more about one another's beliefs - NO MORE.
1 person likes this
@Peach10 (1920)
•
27 Jun 18
@notewise777 yes my friend. It's high time we speak out how we feel when religion is concerned
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@Peach10 I have since taken the matter forward and will not have my child's right to practice his religion freely taken away without just cause.
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@Peach10 Matter dealt with - We were able to compromise and the entire policy is about to be reversed.
1 person likes this
@simplfred (20641)
• Philippines
26 Jun 18
If your child is silently praying then definitely you have a case.
1 person likes this
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@simplfred Indeed it seems I do as an urgent court order to cease the infringement of my child's right to practice his religion seems certain to pass today.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (39510)
• United States
28 Jun 18
Here in our country, they don't really allow prayer in schools. Once it was, not anymore.
@neelia_lyn (2003)
• Philippines
26 Jun 18
Oh that's bad and scary. Your son only prayed a silent prayer and it became an issue. How much more if he innocently and publicly expressed his belief in God? Days will come when we are no longer free to express our beliefs. What will happen then?
Religion still has a place in schools here in our nation, unless the President will make a law to ban religion because he thinks that "God is stupid". God forbid. Thanks for sharing though.
@Cristi_Ichim (3743)
• Bucharest, Romania
29 Jul 18
My opinion is that religion should not be taught in school.
@notewise777 (247)
• Cape Town, South Africa
27 Jun 18
@paigea Totally agree with you my friend - seemed ridiculous from the start and the courts just affirmed that stance now that it was a dumb policy and had to be revoked immediately
1 person likes this
@Namelesss (3365)
• United States
26 Jun 18
A silent prayer is no one else' business. All it shows to others including other kids is that another person has faith in something other than just themselves. How's that a bad thing? I don't get it.
@josie_ (10032)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
Was your son praying loudly or silently? I was struck by the degree of your emotional feelings regarding the incident as well as the measures you are willing to take to prove a point of principle. Since you welcome all opinions I think it's a bit of an overkill.
You ask whether "RELIGION IN GENERAL STILL HAVE A PLACE IN SCHOOLS" is an open minefield since our bias regarding religion will affect our response.
A person seldom change the religion they were born into. If religion must be taught in school, It should be at an age when children begin to question the world around them and not when their mental faculties are at the stage where they are susceptible to being led or directed without question.
BTW, how old is your son?
@SRSaba (1128)
• Chennai, India
26 Jun 18
Yes! Schools educate the students abut religions same time they will do accept other beliefs.
