[!TheWorld'sMyStage!]

Hey guys. I am writing an essay for school. My topic is "religion in public schools" and whether it belongs there or not. What is your feeling on this? My personal opinion is that it does not belong but I would like to include other opinions in my essay. Any thoughts?

!The World's My Stage!

[Jenko]

I said only if it's optional. Religion should not be forced upon those who do not wish to take part or agree but should be open for choice to those who do.

[OneSongGlory]

I say yes. But NOT some stupid Sunday-school like class taught by a 70 year old retired woman, but an actual theologian. I took a class in theology this year (was forced to), and it was by far the most interesting class I've ever had. It was taught from a completely unbiased point of view, and just covered the first five books of the bible, but was more of a general class so that we spend maybe 20 out of 45 minutes in every class just talking about completely random biblical things, being able to ask questions and hear actual answers.

[Salome]

Religion does not belong in school at all unless its part of a philosophy class. where it is stressed as a theaory and belief and not as facts and historical events.

There is a seperation of church and state for a good reason. Kepp god/gods out of the classroom. If people want religion they can go to places of worship.

[samuel prince]

I think a better question would be:
Should organized prayer be allowed in school?
Religion permeates school regardless of civil intervention, organized prayer is something that is entirely manmade...and, in my opinion, discriminates.

[The Very Angry Woman]

Religion already is in schools, and has been for years. Haven't any of you studied Greek or Roman mythology?

[Beagle On Stage]

I agree with Mumsy in that all major religions of the world should be covered in public schools. In all reality, I think people of every religion or lack thereof would benefit from learning about the fundamentals of several - their histories, practices and beliefs. There's misinformation floating around and in people's minds that never gets checked, and the result is people going around completely uneducated as to lifestyles not only around the world, but of their own neighbors.

The only information on religion available through my high school is a biased chapter on Islam in honors world history that presents the visions, etc., as historical facts (while making no mention of Jesus and portraying Abraham as a basket case) and an elective trimester on mythology where the final is making a board game with Greek gods on it. But don't worry, there's tons of emphasis on valid contemporary subjects, and all kinds of courses you can take on them - courses like Weights, almost two full years of Photo, or Cooking For Singles.

[Nudelkopf]

My state (public) high school never taught religion. My primary (elementary) schools never did either.

If you wanted religion, you went to church. Simple!

[ShadowInTheWings]

I grew up in the Catholic school system, and I'm still not sure if it was a good thing for me or not. Religion was rammed down my throat at every oppurtunity, but it was onb par with learing math or spelling. It was a head knowledge that didn't mean anything.
Soon as I was out of the system I kind of rebelled (I am the eternal good girl, so for me rebelling went as for as swearing and cutting the occasional class), then found my way into a Baptist church on my own. And now I'm rebelling against that. So maybe I'm not the best person to ask an opinion on the religion topic.

[JeffF]

I agree that it's a separate question whether to allow organized prayer in school, than whether religion has a place. I am against organized group prayer in school, because it will either automatically discrminate against those who don't believe what is being said or it will be so watered down and inoffensive as to be meaningless.
Anybody is free to pray now, quietly or privately. There are lots of prayers said before some tests. This is quite different than forced prayer.

As for religion, it should be incorporated into history. I don't mean that you should teach things in the Bible or the Koran or any religious text as history, in a public school, but the role of religion in history is pivotal and should not be glossed over.

If you want to read a little gem, get a copy of "So help me god" by Mccollister. It's a short book, with detailed information about how each President treated church/state issues and how the President's own beliefs, in some cases, affected their administration. Madison's unsuccesful attempts to eliminate the Senate chaplain, who to this day, starts each day with a prayer, was very interesting reading. There is great variety in how each administration dealt with these type of issues.
Most surprising to me was that we had eight Presidents unaffiliated with any specific denomination.

[wicked_diva]

I agree with Salome. No one should be imposing any religious whatever on public school students. For example, last year my English teacher (who is Catholic) insisted that we all find biblical references in our novels. Well, hello! I've never read the bible, and you can't make me do that! He bugged the heck out of me. Religion in no way, shape, or form should be involved with school at all. I don't care if you go pray silently at lunch or something like that, but don't bring it with you into the classroom.

[ConverseSneaker]

[Bex]

[cabaretfreak]

I think if there is a bible club it needs to be afterschool and there can be no posters up saying "join bible club" or "bible club afterschool, come and pray with us"

[Beagle On Stage]

[cabaretfreak]

I mean if the poster is prostalitizing people because religion shouldn't be practiced publicly during public school hours, ALTHOUGH I think that wearing a symbol of your faith is fine, just as long as it isn't being used as a form of discrimation.

[LaurelDP]

I think that religion should be discussed with History classes. Because it plays a huge role in History.
And I have no opposition to a certain religion club. We have a few at my school.

But religion should not be treated as religion at school. Holy documents should not be treated as fact.

If religion was being imposed on me at school, I'd have to Home Schooled.

[bandcampgirl183]

School is supposed to educate you, and prepare you to survive in the world as an educated person. I think everyone should have an idea of what the various religions stand for, and what they agree on, as well as what divides them. I have never read anything from the bible (except for a few quotes), and I wish I had. I think a religion EDUCATION course is acceptable, whereas a religion APPRECIATION course (appreciating one religion specifically, not talking appreciating the differences) has no part in public schools. I think the course would also need to recognize that lots of people don't have a specific religion, but that they are still good, moral people. It bugs me when people talk about "Christian values" and the like, suggesting that atheists don't do good deeds.

Whether the course should be required... I don't know. I think that there are some religious people who would be opposed to it, and if it's really a public school, then everyone should feel comfortable. So I guess it shouldn't be required. I think it should be encouraged, though, and that it be almost extra-curricular in that it doesn't count as a whole course... in other words, you shouldn't have to turn down Biology in order to take this, because there isn't room in your schedule for both.

I think anything resembling organized prayer is completely out of the question. I think "community meeting" might be a good idea some places, and could maybe start with a moment of reflective silence. The G word should be left out, though.

~rachel~

[Holly]

If people want to pray at school, let them pray - as long as it doesn't interfere with my daily life, I'm fine.

I also think that schools should educate their students about many beliefs, not teaching any particular one as the correct one.

[philipquastfan]

It seems there are some differing opinions on this subject.
I currently study Theology at University (almost through with my first year), so I felt I had to reply to this post!

As there is a fact that religion has played a huge part in our history, I think it's very important to learn why! That is not to say I think Religion as a subject should be put into a History-category, Religion is HUGE and deserves a place of its own.

What I do think is important is the approach to Religious Studies. As we now live in multi-cultural societies, and people with different backgrounds and different Religious beliefs live together, I think it's very important that Religion is studied from a completely unbiast perspective!! Religious Studies should be just like History Studies, or any other subject, where you just inform about different ideas and do your best to get students to understand different religious beliefs, even though you don't agree with it yourself!!

I don't think that a school should practice one form of Religion, though it should be up to each and every student to pratice his or her own Religion, as long as it does not interfer with school work or rules ...

/Jessica

[Dax]

I agree that religion should be studied (not preached) as it has had an enormous influence throughout history. (and continues to do so)

Any attempt to ignore its impact only contributes to our ignorance.

[cabaretfreak]

I took a compartive religion at my privete school. It was fun.

[ConverseSneaker]

I don't see any problem having a class teaching about the religons. Like someone else on here said, why they are different, what are they about, ect, not preaching why this one is right. But prayer time or having a classes to learn about the bible doesn't belong to school.

[The Very Angry Woman]

[!TheWorld'sMyStage!]

Hey guys. Through your help and opinions, I narrowed down my essay to just "prayer in public schools". Sorry for not clarifying that in the beginning!

My personal opinions are....
1. A comparative religion course is a great idea. Because there are now many different beliefs, religions, and cultures around us on a daily basis, it is essential to know the main ideas of each religion.
2. Religion should be taught in history class. History and religion run hand and hand. Many things happened in history because of religion.
3. Prayer should not be in public schools if it is organized. A prayer for a certain religion should not be forced down people's throats. And a general prayer would not work either (for example, "God, please help us in our daily life"). It would offend the people who do not believe in a god.
4. A moment of silence would be a good solution to this issue. The religious/spiritual children could pray, while the atheists/nonreligious people could think about their day, ect. Look at bandcampgirl183 post on page 3 for more information about what atheists can do during this time.
Thank you all for sharing your opinions.

!The World's My Stage!

[RyanJ]

I think religion doesn't belong in schools, for reasons already posted: if you want religion, go to a place of worship. Religion shouldn't be taught as fact, but I see nothing wrong with offering an optional course that says "This is what people of the Buddhist religion believe, this is what people of the Christian religion believe, this is what people of the Jewish religion believe, etc. etc."


I went to a private Catholic middle school, and they definitely tried to basically brainwash me into thinking all their beliefs. I don't categorize myself as a Catholic anymore. I think religion should come from the individual, and that every individual person should find their own religious truths and follow their own beliefs as opposed to following a group. My grandma thinks I'm some kind of heretic or something for not going to church every sunday, but I tell her, I didn't choose to be Catholic. I was told I was Catholic when I was young.

[JPme]

here is the thing.

In Scotland, there are two kinds of state-funded schools.

There are "non-denominational" schools, and there are Catholic schools. Both get the same level of public funding. Students of any religion are entitled to attend either (though, if over-subscribed, Catholic students take precedence).

And the important bit is ... Catholic schools are better. Students get much better exam results, people leaving Catholic schools are more employable, there's a greater sense of social justice.

You need to think about what you LOSE by not having religion in schools. In Scotland, it makes a huge difference to academic attainment. I don't imagine that's unique to this country.

JP

[Beagle On Stage]

[bandcampgirl183]

JP-
I believe you that in Scotland, the catholic schools are "better," but I don't think I believe that it's neccessarily their Catholicism that makes them that way. Maybe Catholics are a higher class than most (I have no idea what it's like over there.) Maybe a long time ago people started to believe that the Catholic schools were better, so the smartest kids went there, religion or no religion, and it turned into a self-fulfilling-proficy.

Stage-
for number 4 on your list. I'm guessing that the "what they want to eat for breakfast" thing was kind of a joke, and I'm not really offended. I just know that there are lots of people out there who already think that non-religious people aren't as good as they (religious people) are, and that non religous people don't have as much spiritual depth. I'm not suggesting that you think that, and I understand that you probably said the breakfast thing as a light-hearted joke. Again, I'm not offended, it's just that since this issue exists, I guess I'm asking if you could possibly put something in about how atheists can reflect on experiences of the day, and atheists can relax themselves through deep, steady breathing, and can appreciate the time to reflect and get clarity on how they're acting, how they would like to be acting, etc.
Quaker meeting is kind of like that... and a few people share what they're thinking about.
I think I'm going to send this before I make it into something even more long and complicated.

~rachel~

[Dax]

[Nudelkopf]

My mother went to a Catholic school in her 2 senior years (her small town had no high school, so she had to go to a boarding school - and all residential schools are catholic here abouts) and she said she'd never send me to one. She said they had to pray when they woke up, before meals, after meals, afternoon church thing, and before bed. I'd run outa things to say..

[!TheWorld'sMyStage!]

[JPme]

[TR_Wolf]

I dont mind religion in schools as in religious studies, and maybe even optionally, but I dont think it should be "in schools" as in how they're run, no.