would you rather have religion in schools in an open forum format taking in all the world's beliefs without bias or would you rather have the seperation that is currently instated in most US states?
I went to a Catholic High School.
I got a Catholic education.
But my HS was also an "Open Forum" one.
Throughout my time there, amidst learning about Christianity, I also learnt about Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Atheism, Agnosticism, cults, tribal religions, Aboriginal religions and even the concepts of Evolution and Intelligent Design! Hell, at one stage we even did a topic in which we
disproved the existence of any sort of God. Keep in mind, this is a Catholic school, with devout Catholic teachers teaching us about non-Catholic, yet religious topics. We even went on excursions to Mosques, Buddhist temples and had guest speakers from other religions.
I can honestly say that the benefits by far, greatly outweighed any negatives. Religious education is not the most interesting thing to a group of school kids (especially in times likes today), nor is it the most important thing in their life. To expand knowledge into other areas vastly improved any interest in the subject and made the students actually want to find out more about these other beliefs.
As non-religious as I am, one thing I enjoyed about this type of education system was that I wasn't being kept in the dark about some of the other beliefs out there. There is one school in my area that I know of that teaches Catholicism and only Catholicism. I feel students learn when you give them the opportunity to consider all options and alternatives. Only presenting one viewpoint is, in a subtle way, a method in which to "enslave" people into a certain ideal. People often go with the thing they are most knowledgeable in, but if you only know just one thing, then you aren't left with much of a choice unless you purposely seek to gain that other information. But why would you seek new information when you've been told all your life that there is only one right religion, and that you're following it already. Having an Open Forum class style allows the students to become involved and gain knowledge in more than one set of ideals.
On the other hand, I don't see much of a problem with the US keeping educational institutions separate from religion. That way, the students are given an unbiased approach in the way they are taught, particularly in the areas of science and mathematics and how these subjects explain the nature of the world. Using my school as an example, we applauded those student who excelled in mathematics, chemistry and physics.
A religious school placing importance on science while still remaining objective - it is possible! Although I do feel that avoiding the subject of religion altogether keeps the students ignorant of religion itself and breeds intolerance. Religion shouldn't be taught in a way that defines "what is right and wrong", it should be taught objectively and in comparison to other systems of belief. Any sort of religion isn't about praying to a God, nor adhering to doctrine - it's about understanding the underlying values, morals and ethics that the religion has to offer to make you a better person.
Religion doesn't have to be taught in schools, but their principles should be. Instead of avoiding the subject altogether, a better alternative would perhaps be to teach it objectively and focus on the those underlying concepts I outlined before. At least then it won't instigate complete ignorance to the idea of religion altogether, but more so, it'll enable the student to formulate their own beliefs based on their own ideals whilst also giving them a moral compass.
. it's amazing how governments would conquer areas and hijack their gods and goddesses. it made me wonder what the peasants thought. "heey, they renamed Dionysus into Be-ah-chus... hmm.. must be an upgrade!" lol
