religious education should children be made to learn it

[DontSnatch]

i went to a catholic school and even tho i was taught religion for 10+years.. i dont think it really has an effect on kids. kids take it as just another subject in school. they dont grow up and become bible humpers. if anything, they use their religion knowledge to later question religion.

that being said, i think religion should be taught. not preached. there would be no harm in having "religion class" centered around information on the different religions and beliefs. what religion does for people and the history of it. it shouldnt be completly shunned from school because like it or not. religion does shape our world behind any other factors.

[VonPapel]

Free the minds from the People's Opiates. Religion, GTFO of school.

[Pobs]

Keep religion out of the schools. Unless it is a specific regilious school (Roman Catholic, etc) or it's a private school (you should know what you're signing up for), then there should be none of the religions. It's the only way to be fair and not brain wash the poor little buggers.

[Mr Handlebars]

There is no reason to teach religion in public schools. To do so, would be like indoctrinating our children into a specific sect or philosophy of religious beliefs. That is best left to the home or the religious indoctrinate of the family's choice.

Now having said that, there is nothing with teaching theology on the high school or college level. Theology doesn't espouse one doctrine over another, but rather teach people of all the disciplines of organized religion. It's purpose is to educate people about other religious cultures and promote tolerance. While Theology has a tendency to agree with creationism, it doesn't rule out the possibilities of other theories, such as evolution. That's why Dangle, your step-brother's learning were so broad and open-minded. Theology isn't to designed to teach bias, but rather to enable the student to draw his or her own conclusions through broad spectrum of analogies and comparisons. It encourages open debate of the disciplines we call religion. With the exception of Buddhism, I've never know theology to persuade anyone to change religions.

Why Buddhism has such an effect is strange, especially if you talk to a convert. Buddhism isn't a religion. It's a philosophy. It doesn't center around g-d, but around conduct and treatment of our fellow human beings. It is much Confucianism. Yet most people think of Buddhism as a religion and call themselves Buddhists. However, a disciple of Buddhism doesn't have to give up their core beliefs, just incorporate them into their new philosophical enlightenment.

To get back to religion, this world has had too many wars over it's existance. That why I say, teach Theology, not Religion. With a better understanding, maybe we could all get along.

[Striker]

Depends on what you mean by "teaching." From reading other replies, it seems most people think that teaching religion in school means that the students will be taught as if they were at a church. In which case I say no.

But if teaching means you simply teach an overview about what each religion believes then I say why not? It cannot however, incorporate any hands on activities (no praying to Jesus or Allah, etc etc). It can be nothing but teaching an overview of the beliefs and how it's organized. Schools already teach about other belief systems that aren't spiritual based, such as Nazism, communism, socialism, capitalism, etc, so why not teach about religion in the same way?

I choose choice simply because everything that their kids are taught in school should be a choice to the parents.

[Choppie]

My stance is simple. The kids get enough of the bullshit religious indoctrination (read:brainwashing) at home. Why the hell would I support pushing it on children at school as well.

I did however vote for choice. As I believe that people should be free to learn what they want. All across the board. If a kid wants to learn about all religions then more power to them. BUT the teachers can keep their opinions to themselves and stick to the facts.

So with that last thought, I doubt that I'll ever agree to teach kids about religion, as there is no unbiased third party. Everyone and their fucking grandmother is pushing an agenda of some sort.

[MillyMc]

i think the generation of kids from the 20s has alot of people that didnt grow up with religion. i grew up with religion but my gf didnt. not an athesiest or satan worship or any of the anti-religion anti-social behavior...just no religion, not discussed, no church attended.

and she has one of the best hearts possible. competely productive member of society without learning one parable.

it is possible to be a good person in our society without the burdens of outdated dogma.

edit- ps: is it me or is this poll worded weird? prob should be more straightforward-"should religious education be mandated for children." bc as it stands i feel like there should be no choice, religon shouldnt be tought. but i feel that wasnt the choice i should have picked if i feel that way. but if i said- i would choose to not send my kid to religious schooling, that would mean i think it has any place in the schools. just confused and thinking out loud. im tired.

[The Godfather]

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... and she is still screwed according to some mainstream religions.

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yes

[Liquid]

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I had comparative religion class in high school, it was interesting. I still learn about mythologies today for that reason. Gives me a better understanding of where others come from around the globe even if I think they're retarded.

Even though I'm an asshole atheist, I can see that teaching what they believe in school isn't a breach of separation of church and state as long as they do a good market of religions.

As for actually preaching to kids, that should be the choice of the kids to me. Too many believers are far too insecure in their beliefs however to normally to allow their kids to find their own path.

[katelynnx]

i've attended catholic school my entire life and while i do not consider myself overtly religious in the least bit, there is no denying the fact that it's had an impact on my life. i went to an all girl private roman catholic high school and we weren't just taught bullshit from the bible. from a young age we're taught about the origins of religion and how it's become what it is today. morals and the whole sense of right versus wrong play an important part in it as well. no one tries to force their beliefs down your throat but if you're paying the thousands of dollars a year for a high school education you're gonna fucking get it. i believe the choice should ALWAYS remain open for parents to send their children to whatever school they see fit. whether that's public, catholic, boarding, or military school, it's what the parents want to do with the children they brought into this world. once that child is out of school, though, then they become their own person and as adults may choose what to do with that education.