What do you think about this, CN?

[sally]

While I have no problem with my older children studying the history of different religions, I don't think I'd want them to be forced to do it. Especially in elementary school.

http://news.yahoo.com/islamic-history-no...04739.html

[ramseycat]

I think other religions should be studied in high school. Elementary school is too young.

[username]

I think other religions should be studied in high school. Elementary school is too young.

"Other religions"? Are you saying that teachers should only give the Christian perspective until high school?

[ramseycat]

No User. I will clarify to state all study if religions should wait until high school.

[sally]

I think other religions should be studied in high school. Elementary school is too young.

"Other religions"? Are you saying that teachers should only give the Christian perspective until high school?

That's exactly what she's saying. The last thing we need is our little ones burning in hell over this nonsense.

[username]

No User. I will clarify to state all study if religions should wait until high school.

What about the pledge of allegiance...to God. How about the mission projects in 4^th/5^th grade?

[Cynical Ninja]

While I have no problem with my older children studying the history of different religions, I don't think I'd want them to be forced to do it. Especially in elementary school.

http://news.yahoo.com/islamic-history-no...04739.html

My daughter was taught about Christianity in elementary school alongside Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.

Knowledge is power, why would you not want your kids to learn about other religions?

I don't understand why you would object?

[Cynical Ninja]

What about the pledge of allegiance...to God. How about the mission projects in 4^th/5^th grade?

I thought the US constitution seperated church and state?

[Duchess]

Religion shouldn't be taught in public school, period. If parents want their kids educated in religion then they should be sent to the appropriate schools. There are many parents these days that don't want their kids around that kind of thing. I went to a Catholic school for many years and I really can't see atheists being cool with their kids learning the kinds of things associated with that.

[Cynical Ninja]

I don't believe in faith based schools.

But I'm an Atheist and I don't see why a secular school shouldn't teach children about religion. Religion is still a major part of world culture why ignore it?

As long as you don't promote one faith over another and don't try to indoctrinate the children into any particular religion I don't see the harm in teaching children about religion.

I did Religious Studies at A level in sixth form at high school and it did me no harm whatsoever.

[Duchess]

I don't see why a secular school shouldn't teach children about religion.

There is no room for religion in public schools. Send your kids to a private school or to catechism classes. There should be no religion in public schools in much the same way there should be no religion in politics.

[Cynical Ninja]

Are we even talking about the same thing here?

I am talking about teaching chlidren about various religions in a secular anthropological none spiritual way the way I was taught in religious studies.

You seem to be talking about actually practising religion in school, praying in school etc.

If you were a history teacher would you refuse to teach your pupils about the Reformation and the Spanish Inquisition?

[ramseycat]

No User. I will clarify to state all study if religions should wait until high school.

What about the pledge of allegiance...to God. How about the mission projects in 4^th/5^th grade?

They should say the pledge everyday including God. I don't know what mission projects you're talking about.

[Cynical Ninja]

They should say the pledge everyday including God.

What happened to “keep God out of my kids school and l'll keep science out of your church”?

[Duchess]

What happened to “keep God out of my kids school and l'll keep science out of your church”?

This is my stance ^^^^^.

I'm Catholic but I'm not devout. I keep my own counsel with God. It's mine & mine alone.

[BlueTiki]

What happened to “keep God out of my kids school and l'll keep science out of your church”?

God threatened to pull his sizable research grant and the School Board caved.

[HairOfTheDog]

I'd rather see schools teach more about diversity and tolerance in general than focus on specific religions.

[Maggot]

I'd like more schools to tell parents "We aint your fucking babysitters assholes"

[username]

They should say the pledge everyday including God. I don't know what mission projects you're talking about.

In California (or at least in my neck of the woods), most 4^th/5^th graders study California's mission period. Usually this includes the parents, errr I mean the students, creating a mission replica.


The Spanish missions in California comprise a series of religious and military outposts established by Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order between 1769 and 1833 to spread the Christian faith among the local Native Americans. The missions represented the first major effort by Europeans to colonize the Pacific Coast region, and gave Spain a valuable toehold in the frontier land. The settlers introduced European livestock, fruits, vegetables, cattle, horses and ranching into the California region; however, the Spanish occupation of California also brought with it serious negative consequences to the Native American populations with whom the missionaries came in contact. The government of Mexico shut down the missions in the 1830s. In the end, the mission had mixed results in its objective to convert, educate, and "civilize" the indigenous population and transforming the natives into Spanish colonial citizens. Today, the missions are among the state's oldest structures and the most-visited historic monuments. There are 23 missions.


This is also the type of history that CN is referring to I believe. You can't teach history without referencing different cultures and their religions. My kids were studying Chinese/Ancient history last year and you can be damn sure Buddhism took up at least several pages in the textbook.

[BlueTiki]

My kids were studying Chinese/Ancient history last year and you can be damn sure Buddhism took up at least several pages in the textbook.

I liked the study of Buddhism.

We weren't prohibited from drawing pictures of the Buddha.

(And putting crucifixes into Mason Jars of urine.)