Why a History of Religion Should Be Taught in Schools
I'm Not Even Religious!
With that established, I have come to the conclusion that a history of religion should be taught in schools as a fundamental part of the core curriculum. Without a fundamental understanding of religion, children miss out on some of the fundamental motivations of human history and human thought. Without an understanding of the power of Religious motivation, Charlemagne is just some guy that lead an army. Without an understanding of the Power of Religious Intolerance, the Inquisition just comes across as a period of Injustice. Without and understanding of the power Religious extremism, 9-11, becomes just another terrorist event. Without an Understanding of the power of religious consciousness, The Salvation Army is just the world's biggest garage sale.
There is no other force of thought in the history of mankind that has so utterly shaped mankind as religion, and to keep a general understanding of religious history from children with the mantra of "separating" church and state is to misunderstand that there is a difference between religion and individualized faith. It is not my contention that we should teach the basics of any specific religious doctrine, but rather that we should offer objective education that highlights the impact of all Religions on society. Maybe if we understood the nature of religion as a whole, and its impact on humanity, we would be more apt to practice our individualized faiths with a modicum of restraint, grace, and tolerance. Maybe, the big picture will help us, as a society, to better see the whole playing field and to make decisions based on how they affect the whole.
While some will seek to focus on the negatives of religion, and let's face it, there are many, I believe that a solid religious education would look at all of the aspects of how Religious thought has shaped our world. While it's easy to find death in the history of religion, it's also easy to find life, hope and redemption. This is not unique to Christianity or any other form of faith. The fact is that faith based organizations of all faiths are alive and well in our nation's prisons. Lets you forget, through Muslim ministries, Malcolm X found his calling and left a life of drugs and debauchery. Organizations like Red Cross and sister Red Crescent and the Salvation army, habitat for humanity among many, were founded on principled of faith and Religion.
I would be against the espousal of any specific religion in an American public classroom, but I think we miss the mark when in the guise of protecting our children from specific religions, we fail to educate them on the effects of religions on history, on society, and on individuals that contribute to our society. When our children fundamentally understand the choices they have to either damage or benefit society through faith, maybe we will find ourselves more apt to choose the benefits over the harm that religion in all forms has continued to bring to the world.
We would not be lax to allow religious teachings from all of the major faiths that have shaped the world with equal time and equal force, both alive and dead religions (the dead ones have often done their part to shape the world too). We would not be lax to give our children thorough educations. We would not be lax to give our children the whole picture of history. We would be finally fulfilling another part of our educational duty.
At least, that's how I see it.
Published by Tiffany Ranae
I am a 3* year old pre-op transsexual woman with a history in religion and politics. If you want to think about old things in new ways, I'm your girl. If it's not original, I won't write it. View profile
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14 Comments
Post a Commentat my school we are taught religion, however it should NEVER be taught, i god did exist (which he doesn't) could he not teach everyone, instead of wasting our time. as well at a young age if you are taught it, you believe it, this is why there are so little atheists, because no one gets a choice, others choose for them. Religion is a load of lies and stories, those who think god talks to them, i would see a schizophrenic doctor, im only 13 and i HATE those who think it makes sense that when you die you go to a nice place with a man who made such a wonderful planet. ENJOY LIFE AND SCREW RELIGION, if you'll excuse me i have a life to work on, sadly the believers in a man in the sky won't of read most of this, so bye bye fellow anti-religious
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I respect your views and beliefs ,but definitely agree with you that religion should and must be taught in schools.All religions,a general overview of Islam,Christianity,The Jewish Religion,The Budhist religion,all exsisting religions to understand history and all man kind achievemens,failures ,rises and falls of Empires. They are all a result of different beliefs & different religions.Even different sects in religions must be studied.Only then will children grow up to respect and accept others.
No i totally agree. state and church should be seperated. i don't think we will ever know quite how human beings came to be. it doesn't matter how many times you read the bible... do you understand what you are reading? have you tried ready the original copies? till you do all that and it tells you where we come from how dare you critize others for having thier own opinions.
How did you come to this? How did you become an atheist?
I am almost eighteen, and i only read Bible four times. I love God and i speak with Him every day. How could you deny the existence of Him, if He was the one who created you?
i wish it was more indept but i do agree that religion should be taught in schools. this has increased my knowledge and continue the good work...
I believe that religion should not be taught in school. Why have religion in school when it causes conflict with non believer and other religion groups. I think it will increase the crime rate because people will have will try to compete with the other religions. Which causes separation amoug us people. Let's just keep it the same . There is less conflict without religion being taught in school.
This is a very untrue article, I have you know i'm the head "honcho" over at UCI, and I believe that religion should not be taught in schools. I'll tell you, you say your not religious, but then again you went to a catholic school, that doesn't make any clear sense. Studies have proven that students are being forced into learning religions, by what the other kids are around them are doing. For example, if one of the popular girls says, " I want to be Catholic" then most of the other girls will want to be catholic. It comes with the same peer pressure as most of the drugs and alchol are coming up with. Rethink your priorities.