Religious Education in Schools - Revisited

[LazyGun]

So, there was quite a lively discussion on this topic in here quite recently. I read this article today which was germane to that conversation -thought you peeps might like a linky :)

http://www.guardian.c...eligious-education-re

[naomi24]

Interesting - but abolishing faith schools is the simplest solution.

[Ankou]

its a shame he has written the article as a moderate really, which is in contrast to his usual stance and campaigns.

must be tailored for the guardian readership - don't want them raising their eyebrows too high and spiling the g&t now do we.

[jomifl]

I agree with naomi but I would put religion in as a subsection of sociology (do they teach that in schools)
As for the G&Ts I've almost given them up ...onto Pastis now ( only one bottle required).so nice at the end of a hot day.

[LazyGun]

I will stick to my Pimms Punch thank you very much :)

I do actually think religion should be taught in school - It has been such a significant part of humanity for such a long time that it would amount to censorship to just ignore it- but it should be separate lesson, offering a dispassionate,comparative contextual view of religions, looking at all facets of the religious experience,good and bad.

Nor should it attempt to dispute scientifically established theory (something, incidentally that the moderate, grown-up religions have finally recognised) - Any worthwhile religion should recognise the huge leaps in knowledge that science and rational thinking have introduced into the human experience, not, like Canute, attempt to turn back the inexorable tide by simple assertion of faith.

Faith, spirituality and worship, like sex, should be confined to consenting adults only - and RE should also teach that evangelism and proselytising is both profoundly boring and distasteful ;) = oh, and that looney tune cults masquerading as religions should be laughed and jeered at whenever possible :)

[Old_Geezer]

Teaching facts regarding humanity and its various beliefs is fine. It is indoctrination of a specific set of beliefs that is a dodgy activity. One can accept a parent will want their children to accept what they accept as true, but that isn't the role of a school. It is the role of the church or sect being considered.

[society]

At one time I’d agree that religion should be taught in schools. Now, I no longer feel that way. I believe teaching religion in class would tend to sway a child’s mind into believing something which none of us have actual proof of its existence, regardless of which ever religion.

I know I’m contradicting myself when I say I do believe God exist. One would be persuaded to ask where my proof is - I have none, just lifes’ experiences. :-)

[123everton]

It was stated recently that one of the main reasons for Islamic fundamentalism was the lack of proper religious education in schools.
Seems to me, that more religion being taught would be better, the more we all understand about each oher's faiths the better we can all get along.

[naomi24]

//It was stated recently that one of the main reasons for Islamic fundamentalism was the lack of proper religious education in schools.//

Proper religious education? What's that then? Do you have a link to tell us where this was said and by whom?

[jomifl]

But which religions to teach, there are so many of them, christianity has at least 3 major divisions as has islam then there is rosicrucianism, baha'i, hindu, sikhism, shinto, taoism, and confucianism, to name but a few. Wouldn't it be best to let interested parents take care of it, after all it is traditional for parents to indoctrinate their children with religion whether the children want it or not. I know a catholic mother who blackmails her daughter to go to catechism classes against her will and she is 15 years old. Old enough to make up her own mind? Freedom of religion, bullshitt

[123everton]

I could trawl back through AB to post the thread, but you were on it if that helps.
Confuscionism is not a religion, I would say teach the main world religions with a nod to the various denominations.
You can't deal with every religion in the world, there's only so many hours in the school day.

[jomifl]

wiki says confucianism is a chinese religion but it doesn't really matter whether it is or is not. I think children have enough that impacts directly on their lives to get their heads around without being taught a dozen or so religions. First define a religion,then decide which ones to leave out, pressure groups will get involve claiming they are victims of religious discrimination. It will all be a horrible confusing mess, best left alone.

[naomi24]

Everton, it's been apparent for a very long time that you will support religion and the religious regardless of the harm it may do or the conflict it may cause, but with this suggestion, to which quite clearly you've given not an iota of practical or rational thought, you've really excelled yourself. Your ignorance really is breathtaking!

[Ankou]

i didn't see any breathtaking ignorance really, just an opinion.

[naomi24]

Yes, there’s an opinion there, but it’s an ignorant one because it’s incredibly ill considered. Everton suggests teaching the main world religions with a nod to the various denominations. However, forgetting the complications of the other main religions and of the ’various denominations’ - or even the objections of religious parents to the suggestion that their children be taught a religion contrary to their beliefs, imagine the scenario even if only the Abrahamic religions, which all have the same foundation, were taught.

Lesson 1. Christianity. Jesus was god who was his own son who as god impregnated a virgin so that he could be born as his own son and be horribly slaughtered to save everyone‘s sins. There’s also a Holy Ghost involved here so god isn’t really one, although he is, but he’s three too. If you don’t believe in Christianity you’re going to hell. Christianity is the only religion that is right so everyone should believe it.

Lesson 2. Islam. Jesus was a prophet who was born of a virgin and god was responsible somehow for the virgin becoming pregnant., but god wasn’t Jesus’ father. Nobody had ever heard of Islam until the prophet Mohammed told everyone about in the 7th century, but all the prophets from the bible were Muslims and it is the oldest religion of all because Muslims say it is - even though everyone knew about Judaism and Christianity for hundreds of years before they knew about Islam. If you don’t believe in Islam you are going to hell. Islam is the only religion that is right so everyone should believe it.

Lesson 3. Judaism. None of the above. God chose the Jews as his special people. Therefore Jews believe they are special people and Judaism doesn’t seek converts. Judaism is the only religion that is right.

Continued….

[naomi24]

....Continued


Lesson 4.

To all the Muslim children - disregard Lessons 1 and 3 - it’s not true.

To all the Christian children - disregard Lesson 2 and 3 - it’s not true.

To all the Jewish children - disregard Lessons 1 and 2 - it’s not true.

What complete and utter tripe! How can anyone with a modicum of common sense even contemplate subjecting children to such irrational and irrelevant nonsense? Fair enough for schools to teach social studies, but religion? Why? Schools should stick to educating children in the subjects they need to become self-sufficient and successful adults - and religion is not one of them. Religion doesn’t unify - it separates.

[123everton]

If people understand the things that make up other people's faith then they can at least access and comprehend what they're doing.
for example, I saw a programme about iran a few months ago, they showed a religious procession celebrating something or other, they were walking down the road shouting (no flagellation), it looked they had a cob on about something, they didn't, far from it.
Chidren will grow up to be adults the more they understand about the world around them the better, I find it remarkable (for someone who had next to no religious schooling as a small boy) that there are adults that seek to deny chidren all the tools they utilised to form their own view.

[naomi24]

Yep! As suspected. You didn't understand a word of that. I rest my case.

[Ankou]

i doubt it