RELIGEON in PUBLIC schools

Yes and No...

I favor a good objective non-biased comparative religious overview...

Unfortunately, it is also such a personal and highly charged issue that finding a knowledgable party to teach it *and* remain objective in presentation is quite difficult...

Even though I am Chrismatic/Pentecostal in basic Faith/Practice...

I would not advocate some of my favorite prechers being allowed in a school!

Of course there are some fire and brimstone Baptist Preachers, too...

So, finding someone to share without their attempting to prosletyze is also an issue...

 

Most OC school districts offer comparative religion classes at the high school level. Several schools also offer "Bible as Literature" classes as part of the English cirriculum. I don't have a problem with any of these. In fact, I think they're a good thing. So long as the school system doesn't endorse a specific religion (even if it's my own religion), then I think the schools should teach as much about the world as reasonably possible. That includes teaching kids about world religions.

 

I wouldn't be in favor of it generally speaking. The only thing I would sort of allow would be a comparative type course of people's different beliefs. But I can't help but see the slippery slope that and over zealous _____________ (fill in the blank) could slide down.

 

Since religious upbringing is the responsibility of the parent, I really don't care who teaches what in the public schools. If the wrong beliefs are taught, I get to correct them at home.

Eventually, however, the radicals will takeover the class leadership, and this can lead to problems in the system....remember, religious education includes atheism.

Cheers,

Jim

 

No I don't think there should be. Here is why. I personally think that should be left to the home and the Church. I don't have a problem with teaching the Bible in a PUBLIC school as much as I do with WHO might be teaching it. Many people in the public school, IMO, are not qualified to teach religion to my son. Even if they had a Baptist minister teaching it, that might still cause a problem. There are too many problems with this that I can see.

Joseph Botwinick

(edited to remove name)

[ January 05, 2005, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: dianetavegia ]

 

Those are two different things, though. What is typically taught in a comparative religions course is a "just the facts, ma'am" objective overview of religions. What is taught at home is a specific philosophy, which is, and should be, subjective to the participant. Hence, I don't see the teaching of comparative religions in a school setting as any threat whatsoever.

 

Those are two different things, though. What is typically taught in a comparative religions course is a "just the facts, ma'am" objective overview of religions. What is taught at home is a specific philosophy, which is, and should be, subjective to the participant. Hence, I don't see the teaching of comparative religions in a school setting as any threat whatsoever. </font>[/QUOTE]The only problem is that the "facts" do tend to be skewed based on the bias and worldview of the person teaching it. What would you think of an atheist teaching your children about the Christian religion. I think I will pass if that option were offered to my son. No thanks.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Everyone brings a bias to teaching, whatever the subject. If I were teaching music, my bias against rock music would come through in my glee in teaching classical music, and the same would be true in teaching religions.

On this I agree with Joseph. I always refused, when invited, to teach a religion class in the public schools.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I could name a bunch of people I wouldn't want teaching...Morris Chapman, Richard Land, John Shelby Spong, Fred Phelps, are just a few. That is why it is best left for the church and home enviroment.

 

This would be, IMO, a prime example of why Public School teachers should not be allowed to teach the Bible, theology, or religion in the Public Schools. At the time that Eve was created, Adam had not sinned yet and was declared by God himself to be a good creation. Sin did not enter the scene until after the rebellion of both Adam and Eve.

Joseph Botwinick

 

BTW,

Thank you for demostrating my argument for me.

Joseph Botwinick

 

This would be, IMO, a prime example of why Public School teachers should not be allowed to teach the Bible, theology, or religion in the Public Schools. At the time that Eve was created, Adam had not sinned yet and was declared by God himself to be a good creation. Sin did not enter the scene until after the rebellion of both Adam and Eve.

Joseph Botwinick </font>[/QUOTE]-------------------------------------------------
Joseph?
Why is it that I was totally able to understand what this lady was teaching these kids and you missed it?
Just curious.
In HIS service;
Jim

 

As to the OP.
I would not have a problem with teaching "Comparative Religion" in the public schools, so long as it was kept in a Social Studies or History class. In both of these disciplines "Comparative Religion" could be shown how different religions have helped to shape the history or culture or world view of any given people group. I would have no problem with that.
Of course there may be the occasional abuses. But then again, what History class or Social Studies class has NOT been swayed by the particular view of the teacher?
In HIS service;
Jim

 

Having a Bible Club after school, all for it. Having it taught as a subject in school,no way.I can't even begin to list the reasons, to many negatives.

 

Perhaps not. Facts about math are generally objective and unbiased. Facts about religions (the institutions, not the philosophies) are likewise. If, however, you were referring to philosophical discussions, then I'd be in agreement with you. I have taken comparative religions classes in both the secular and religious institutions, and the difference in facts has been negligible, if present at all.

On a side question, what would one think about a Roman Catholic teaching children about the Christian religion? Or a Baptist teaching about Shinto, or a Presbyterian teaching about Islam? If sticking to the facts about the institutions themselves, it can be done objectively. OTOH, if we Baptists were to have a philosophical discussion about Islam, we would most certainly come from a Baptist and Christian bias, and rightly so.

Again, I'm coming from a person who has taken the classes. One of my children in high school has taken a comparative religions class. The material was objective, and I recommend them.

 

AMEN SISTER!!! AMEN!

In HIS service;
Jim

 

I hope no body minds if I throw my ten cents in but I think freedom of expression is just that freedom of expression people of other religions should be able to showcase and teach there faith as well as Baptist. God gives people the choice to do evil and follow false Churches and so should us Baptists. If they want to burn in hell believing in a Virgin Mary, or a Ali so be it. It's our job as Baptists to see that they are shown the correct path, not give them no other options, so I say the counterfit's should be alowed. Someone famous once said (in translation) "I may not believe what you believe but I will fight to the death your right to believe it".

P.S though it would be nice to outlaw other faiths in schools.

your servant
fishnbread

First and finale post.