Theology in Schools? (1 Viewer)

[Joby]

Should Theology, the study of religion, be instituted in public schools? This IS NOT IN ANY WAY CREATIONISM, the study of religion as fact.

As in, a Theology class would teach the basic beliefs of each major group. With several posts including the words "Islamo Nazis", "Hating Zionist Jews", "Christian Nazis", etc, I think it's safe to say most Americans have no real idea why planes were driven into buildings, settlers will die before leaving settlements, Kamikazes dove into our ships, boys blow themselve up, Other than: They woke up one morning and decided they hate everything we stand for.

Religion may or may not have fact, BUT it is a fact millions will die for the religion they believe in.

 

[MrFungus420]

I have couple problems answering this poll. The words "should" and "theology".

I have no problem with some sort of comparative religion class, teaching the basics of different faiths, and the historical and cultural significance of them.

I don't think that it should be compulsory.

As for "theology", that is more a study of the nature of God.

So, if we change the question to ask if we could teach a class about the basics of different religions and their historical and cultural effects, then I would agree with it.

 

[Kandahar]

Yes, I think it's important to understand the history and literature of various cultures, and the religions that helped shape them. As long as teachers are teaching rather than preaching, it sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Doremus Jessup]

I don't think that it would work in K-12 public schools, as a lot of students, and especially their parents, would flip out. Imagine the fall out: "How dare you teach Sally about that religion of hate and oppression called islam?"
Or: "Thats great, but you do know that all of those who believe that tripe are going to hell right?"
Also, it would need to be more of a religious history of the world.

 

[::Major_Baker::]

an an elective, perhaps, but no until high school. let them learn how to read, write, and add, before they start learning about all that nonsense.

 

[Deegan]

NO!

First, there is too many religions to discuss, this would require all of their time. Second, this should be something that is private, and should not have anything to do with public education. Third, our children are already struggling to get a decent education from our failing schools, this will only make that worse!

 

[talloulou]

Should Theology, the study of religion, be instituted in public schools? This IS NOT IN ANY WAY CREATIONISM, the study of religion as fact.

As in, a Theology class would teach the basic beliefs of each major group. With several posts including the words "Islamo Nazis", "Hating Zionist Jews", "Christian Nazis", etc, I think it's safe to say most Americans have no real idea why planes were driven into buildings, settlers will die before leaving settlements, Kamikazes dove into our ships, boys blow themselve up, Other than: They woke up one morning and decided they hate everything we stand for.

Religion may or may not have fact, BUT it is a fact millions will die for the religion they believe in.

Hmm I think it depends on the age.....jr. high or high school would be good. I also think it should be taught as an "elective" vs something needed to pass. Too many students don't know the basics so making this a requirement could do more harm than good. But as an advanced elective it could be a cool intersting class if taught in an interesting manner vs just having kids memorize stuff from the bible, torah, and koran. I think "religious history" would be cool. I'd be interested in taking that class myself.

 

[jamesrage]

Should Theology, the study of religion, be instituted in public schools? This IS NOT IN ANY WAY CREATIONISM, the study of religion as fact.

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In my opionion tax payer funded open to the general public schools should be as nuetral as possible .The subjects in which schools should be teaching are reading, writting,mathmatics,History and certian job skills.These are skills that are going to pave the way to college and certian jobs.No teacher in a tax payer funded open to the general public schools should be stuffing his or her political or religious views down the throats of students.The only schools that should have theology or differenct political views in them are the private schools and I think that there should be vouchers for parents to send their kids to those schools.

 

[Binary_Digit]

I voted yes, but only because of my personal experience so maybe it's wrong. I would have appreciated a different point of view than the nonsense my ultra-religious parents were force feeding me. If parents want to have a cow over it, that's tough. Not everyone is fit to be a parent and maybe that should tell them something. Sorry if that sounds bitter, but I think kids can realize a new and refreshing perspective about God by learning what other people believe about Him, so I think the benefits outweight the negatives. High school kids should learn alternative views about religion for the same reason they should learn math from sources other than their parents. Because some parents aren't fit to be. If high school teaching changes your kid's mind from what you were teaching, then maybe you don't have a very good argument to begin with.

 

[Alex]

I believe that Theology can be taught in public schools, but it cannot be mandatory to take these kinds of classes. Also, if one type of Theology is offered, then all must somehow be offered also. I suppose because all classes in elementary schools are mandatory, it would have to be done in high school. So my answer is "Yes" with conditions.

Also, I believe that people should be given the chance to learn all theories an make their own decision. I went to a Christian school where I was taught religion and evolution almost side by side. I chose science because it made more sense to me. Everyone should be given this choice. I believe that when you put theories that have solid evidence against theories that do not, the evidence will win. It may be more problematic for religion than it is intended to be.

By the way, there is no Supreme Court opinion I am aware of that outlaws Theology being taught in this way. The ruling says that Creationism and Inteligent Design cannot be taught as science.

 

[Joby]

In my opionion tax payer funded open to the general public schools should be as nuetral as possible .The subjects in which schools should be teaching are reading, writting,mathmatics,History and certian job skills.These are skills that are going to pave the way to college and certian jobs.No teacher in a tax payer funded open to the general public schools should be stuffing his or her political or religious views down the throats of students.The only schools that should have theology or differenct political views in them are the private schools and I think that there should be vouchers for parents to send their kids to those schools.

I'd like to be able to tell some of my teachers to shut the hell up on politics.

Especially English Teachers. Damn. Look, Mice and Men is a wonderfully written book, that if taught correctly, can have a lasting impact on students.

Tying Mice and Men into war opposition ruined it.

It seems every teacher is either a very vocal Green Party Member, or a closet moderate republican. It's like Hollywood.