Religon in Schools

[Absynthia]

If it teaches about different religions around the world and does not preach, then sure.

Than it is called Ethics
I had it in School

 

[Red5]

religion in schhol very important to learn the children more about moral words and respect other people ......

and religion to complete the knowledge to human

 

[grapefruit]

I heard that Christianity is taught at Italian school as religion class.

 

[Hezam]

I belive that religions shouldnt teachs in puplic schools BUT if anyone (Muslim or Christian ...etc) has to pray or do something in his religion he should allow to do it Not in the class but in a special place in the School.
do you agree ?

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I belive that religions shouldnt teachs in puplic schools BUT if anyone (Muslim or Christian ...etc) has to pray or do something in his religion he should allow to do it Not in the class but in a special place in the School.
do you agree ?

I agree. But here, all state schools must have some sort of regular Christian ceremony, usually a daily assembly where they sing a hymn and have a Bible reading. Parents can have their children removed from it by request. When I was a school librarian I used to supervise those kids during assembly. It's surprising how few opted out. I had four or five Jehovah's witnesses and one atheist in a school of around 750 pupils. It was a country school with I guess 98% white kids. The four Muslim sisters that I knew would attend the Christian assembly.

 

[Taiko666]

I belive that religions shouldnt teachs in puplic schools BUT if anyone (Muslim or Christian ...etc) has to pray or do something in his religion he should allow to do it Not in the class but in a special place in the School.
do you agree ?

I also agree, but wouldn't a school in Saudi Arabia be breaking the law if allowed any sort of worship other than Islam?

 

[Hezam]

it's normal to teach christianity in the US and UK schools because the two countries are christian,and it's good that we can be removed from it.

actually,there are not many foreign students in the Saudi Schools so they teach Religion in Schools.
I my self cant complete study here in Saudi Arabia because of the rules.
they dont allow the non-saudi students to study in colleges !!
so i start my own work instead of my study ! that's bad to the non-saudi students.remember i am from Yemen so i am not allowed to enter the college !

 

[Glenski]

religion in schhol very important to learn the children more about moral words and respect other people ......
and religion to complete the knowledge to human

So, atheists and agnostics have no morals and no respect for others? Many actually have more knowledge of religion than religious types, too.

 

[Red5]

So, atheists and agnostics have no morals and no respect for others? Many actually have more knowledge of religion than religious types, too.

i ,mean the religion in schools , so if the person want to be atheist or agnostics , it's his way and that depend on the parents's religion and their cradle to their children in their childhood .
but as i said every one have own religion ,and I'm (personality) respect all people whatever their religion .

 

[Taiko666]

it's normal to teach christianity in the US and UK schools because the two countries are christian,and it's good that we can be removed from it.

In UK state schools, Christianity is taught alongside Islam, Hindi, Judaism etc. However, in Saudi teaching about any religion other than Islam is strictly forbidden. I've often wondered why the Saudi regime fears knowledge.

 

[Glenski]

I've never taken any course on religion, and never plan to. Do they actually teach "moral words" and "respect" or show that, like Christianity, religions have caused more deaths and wars and persecution than any other cause in history? I'm serious here. What is actually taught? It can't be morality and respect. That's what one's own religion teaches one.

 

[Hezam]

Taiko666 : actually i learn about Christianty there,i study in islamic high school and i study Christianity and Hindo and Judaism and many religions.
i sttudyed about Catholic and Protestant and Orthodex...
i know their belives.

We have to study what cause peace not War and hate.
That what i belive no matter what the other muslim say.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

I've never taken any course on religion, and never plan to. Do they actually teach "moral words" and "respect" or show that, like Christianity, religions have caused more deaths and wars and persecution than any other cause in history? I'm serious here. What is actually taught? It can't be morality and respect. That's what one's own religion teaches one.

When I was at school we had to take Religious Studies until the age of 14, after which you could choose it as one of your GCSEs (high school qualifications) or drop it if you wished. I took it as it was my favourite subject, owing mainly to the fact that we had a brilliant teacher. He was an atheist, so he was able to teach us about different religions from an unbiased standpoint.

In the lower school we learnt about the various beliefs, rituals and mythologies involved in each of the world's major religions. For example, we might study a module on symbolism, in which we would look at the symbol of each religion (e.g. the Christian cross), and examine its origins and its meaning for the followers of the religion.

For my GCSE we focused on two areas; Judaism and Contemporary Ethics. Our studies of Judaism were largely historical. We looked at major historical events affecting the Jews, and examined how these events had impacted on the religion. In our study of Ethics, we looked at the attitudes of the major religions regarding moral issues such as abortion and animal rights.

I don't see how this subject is different from any other school subject. We were taught facts about religions, and skills in order to examine those facts. Taking Religious Studies as a GCSE (particularly the Ethics module) led onto my studying Philosophy for my degree, so it was certainly worthwhile academically.

I think the more we study a subject, the more able we are to make judgments about it. Judgments based on rudimentary knowledge are more easily challenged. In other words, know your enemy.

 

[Glenski]

I don't see how this subject is different from any other school subject. .

Thank you for that description.

However, to answer your statement above, the first post on this thread went like this:
Does government have the right to banned religon from schools?

So, it was NOT about banning courses ON religion. It was about banning RELIGION itself from schools.

 

[-ShiroUsagi-]

Does government have the right to banned religon from schools?
Yes.
Do you think your rights are being threaten by big government?
With regard to the above? No.

What does the constitution of the United States say?
You're American and a HS graduate. Don't you know? Start with the First Amendment.
What is the veiw point of the bible?
Pointless where this is concerned.
Now answer me this one: why are you asking these questions? This is a forum about Japan, but the above don't seem to apply.

I totally agree with Glenski on this one ahaha Really what does this have to do with the kind of forum this is unless.. its happened in Japan or somehow Japanese related. My my Glenski what a sense of humour you have and I admit I am a HS grad and an undergrad.. but I dont know anything about the american constitution so it doesnt apply to me. Im also an atheist so the bible doesnt apply to me either. However I like studying other religions.. I personally think that religion should be a choice than mandatory subject (unless you go to a religious school) because not everyone is as accepting or interested. And if religion is preaching (disturbing students, discrimination etc) instead of educating than yes I do think it should be banned. Everyone should have a say in the manner.

 

[Zulan Grey]

Does government have the right to banned religon from schools?

School - to the education. That is why children must study religion fprms in our world (difference, direction etc...). They must study "Evil & Good" in other religion forms... Must study where concrete religion has been right (and another)
But must be banned ideological propogandation, domination and discrimination of religions.

Do you think your rights are being threaten by big government?

No. We must allow not only our right, but rights other too (& vice versa).

What does the constitution of the United States say?

I do not know what constitution of the United States say. But Russia has state as "secular". That is why tha ordinary religion must not to do it. But really - it`s a question...

What is the veiw point of the bible?

One of the holy books. May be - not most good. May be - not most right. But it must be studed (as other holy book too).

 

[-ShiroUsagi-]

School - to the education. That is why children must study religion fprms in our world (difference, direction etc...). They must study "Evil & Good" in other religion forms... Must study where concrete religion has been right (and another)
But must be banned ideological propogandation, domination and discrimination of religions.
No. We must allow not only our right, but rights other too (& vice versa).
I do not know what constitution of the United States say. But Russia has state as "secular". That is why tha ordinary religion must not to do it. But really - it`s a question...
One of the holy books. May be - not most good. May be - not most right. But it must be studed (as other holy book too).

Well in my opinion its good to educate children.. and at the same time I dont think they "must" Do you mean you that they have to no matter what? And I dont think that religion is concrete..after all its about faith and trust, and you know with all the religions in the world, none of them are "the one and only" either, except I suppose for those who believe it to be. Unfortunately though you can't ban propaganda lol its just...everywhere and a part of everything just about I think. But! I do agree about the discrimination of religions.. I wonder though can any religion be taught on a neutral level? But then again thats why theres that so called rule, about meeting people (dating) and not bringing up religion, politics etc because well it gets heated. and what do you mean domination of religion? that really intrigues me..
and I also wanted to add that yet again, I dont think the bible must be taught, really.. I mean theres enough controversial with so much gone wrong with the bible- I mean people mistranslating, understanding the concept of the bible itself, think of it as a textbook to h elp you learn not a rule book.(also think of the battle going on with creationism and dwarinism lol) Im sorry if Ive gone too far with this. I just think theres too much worry ahaha let people study what they want. my two cents and a half

 

[Zulan Grey]

Well in my opinion its good to educate children.. and at the same time I dont think they "must"

Ok! Ok! I use uncorrect word (excuse my pure english). It`s prefer (not must) - to exclude destruction sectes inspiration (as possible).

I wonder though can any religion be taught on a neutral level?

Now we (as peoples) have not method to do it. But we can try to create it...

 

[ShadowSpirit]

Does government have the right to banned religon from schools?

Absolutely. It's separation of church and state. Whether one agrees to it or not. Though Mycernius has already provided phenomenal source material to support this fact. Nothing more I can do to elaborate on it.

Tsuyoiko brought up an interesting concept. A course that discusses all religions from an unbiased standpoint. I can't imagine that such a course would ever do well in the United States without much scrutiny. Major fundamentalist groups would want their religion represented, all the while having it segregated from the teachings of other religions. This might sound presumptuous of me, though if anybody cares to call me out on it, I'll do my best to find evidence regarding my speculations that this course of action would be taken.

Besides, we already have a place for children to learn about religion. It's called church.

Final thought. I do believe it is against the standing of the constitution for religion to be taught in public schools. However, if for some reason this practice is carried out in breach of the constitution; I volunteer my services for teaching the philosophy of atheism and agnosticism. Oh, make sure those Scientology guys get their own class too. They're just as entitled to it as any other religion out there.

 

[-ShiroUsagi-]

Ok! Ok! I use uncorrect word (excuse my pure english). It`s prefer (not must) - to exclude destruction sectes inspiration (as possible).
Now we (as peoples) have not method to do it. But we can try to create it...

You know I had no idea, and prefer and must are two very different things indeed, so please no sarcasm

And ShadowSpirit I do agree with you on pretty much everything. Except for a lil tidbit and that is your last statement. I highly disagree on calling Scientology a religion, that in itself is a scam. My opinion. It was after all created on a whim of a man who made a bet with a fellow colleague to see which of their "religion" would rise up and get money out of it. (He was also a sci-fi writer). At least the "other religions" have somewhat of a grounded history(and even if they dont) have begun at a much, much earlier time. ☝

 

[ShadowSpirit]

ShiroUsagi, it would appear that you and I don't disagree on anything afterall.

I too think Scientology is a scam. I threw in the comment about them at the end of my post as sort of a joke and to prove a point. The point being that if some religions can be represented by being taught in schools, then any self proclaimed religion is going to be entitled that right as well. Otherwise it would be considered religious discrimination. If the Council of Jedi said they wanted their religion represented, who can reasonably deny them in this case? See where I'm getting at with this? It isn't what you and I feel is a legit religion or not. It's all about giving equal opportunity to American rights. Thus, if religion can be taught in school, then anybody that declares themself a religion is entitled to representation.

and I know well of the origin of Scientology. L Ron Hubbard was a nuclear technician for the US Navy. He took the concept of Dianetics (the book that started the Scientology movement) from a sci-fi short story he read in a periodical paper. He elaborated on the story and even admitted to its source material. In a time when aliens were a fad, fanatics bought into the idea that L Ron's fiction writing was actually a disguise for a factual religious outlook to what causes human ailments. Religion makes money. Fools and their money are soon parted. A few decades and a Tom Cruise later, we have the Sociology religion. Hallelujah to another shining example of human intelligence.

Sorry for my cynical statements. Though as you can see ShiroUsagi. We do agree on this part.

 

[Yukiko chan]

trust me,Muslims women are proud of that.and it's a culture matter ( Arabic Culture )..
but the question is not about their feeling,it's about the non-muslim feeling,why does it bother them ?
regards ^^

Sorry for being pedantic, but I can't let this one pass.

First, it's not a matter of Arab culture, but rather of Arabo-Islamic tradition. The difference is stark: there are Jew Arabs, Christian Arabs, Atheist Arabs, etc., and none of these sub-cultures recommend woman to wear Hijab. Actually, the only thing they really share is the language, and sometimes just the ancestry (many Moroccan Jews only speak some Moroccan, which is very different from Arabic by the way).
The word "Arab" itself is, in many cases, vague and sometimes untrue, especially to depict the populations in North Africa, as it entails neglecting other important cultures unjustifiably, the Berber culture for instance, which adhere to this Hijab wearing tradition too. Thus it would be more accurate to talk about a mixture of Arab and Islamic cultures.
Now I come to the word "culture". Not all women in the Arab and Islamic world wear hijab even when they're both Arab and Muslim. It's simply a tradition that is more or less wearing off , because Arab culture is being heavily influenced by Western cultures. (it could be the other way around in some mediums, as a matter of resistance to the general trend)

Second, you wonder why it bothers us to see women wearing hijab. mmm... well, it's an overboard display of your religion if you want my opinion. A cross is something you can hide under your clothes and nobody would see it unless you want them to. But Hijab is something a Muslim woman can't hide, and can't take off because it's not just an accessory item, but an important part of her belief. This leads to an embarrassing situation since, by law, they are supposed to remove it in public places. I think that the main problem comes not from wearing Hijab itself, but from way it is worn which indicates clearly a specific cultural and religious background. Maybe Muslims should simply find another solution to cover their hair other than Hijab in its current form.
I believe Muslims are the ones who should adapt to Western culture (not the other way around), since they're, historically speaking, mere intruders on it.

ETA: Some liberal Muslims* consider that wearing Hijab is accessory, or even unnecessary, because it was ordered in special historical circumstances that are no longer present now.

*Speaking here not of normal people, but about respectable thinkers and Islamologists, who, of course, were shunned in their original countries. See the wikipedia article about Mohammed Arkoun.

 

[Gackt21]

Absolutely. It's separation of church and state. Whether one agrees to it or not. Though Mycernius has already provided phenomenal source material to support this fact. Nothing more I can do to elaborate on it.
Tsuyoiko brought up an interesting concept. A course that discusses all religions from an unbiased standpoint. I can't imagine that such a course would ever do well in the United States without much scrutiny. Major fundamentalist groups would want their religion represented, all the while having it segregated from the teachings of other religions. This might sound presumptuous of me, though if anybody cares to call me out on it, I'll do my best to find evidence regarding my speculations that this course of action would be taken.
Besides, we already have a place for children to learn about religion. It's called church.
Final thought. I do believe it is against the standing of the constitution for religion to be taught in public schools. However, if for some reason this practice is carried out in breach of the constitution; I volunteer my services for teaching the philosophy of atheism and agnosticism. Oh, make sure those Scientology guys get their own class too. They're just as entitled to it as any other religion out there.

Not only the churches responsiblity but the responsibility of our parents. Most of our parents take up the idea to leave it to the church and their children pick not to have a religon. There are plus and negatives to not being religous. But that can come up in a different discussion.

In the States you are allowed to have whatever religon you want as long as you don't go around telling others what to believe. Staying within family units or within neighborhoods. The bible speaks of us Christian trying to bring others to Christ. Not the easiest thing to do when parents did not do it themselves.

 

[ShadowSpirit]

In the States you are allowed to have whatever religon you want as long as you don't go around telling others what to believe. Staying within family units or within neighborhoods. The bible speaks of us Christian trying to bring others to Christ. Not the easiest thing to do when parents did not do it themselves.

Yes, well. We are in agreement on one thing here. That people in America do have freedom to choose a religion to their liking. Whether it be Christianity or not.

Try to see this from my point of view for a moment though please. Your Christian beliefs are not special over other religions. Though you feel it is the responsibility of parents to bring their child closer to Christ. Well, your religious agenda is apparently not shared by everybody in America or the world for that matter.

Thus, are you trying to convince me that if parents do not feel obligated to send their child to Christ nor if that child does not feel compelled to accept the word of Christ, that it should be force fed through an academic curriculum? I say force fed, cause I'm getting the impression here that you seem to think that if religion was offered in public schools, that kids would have to attend this class. When actually the class would be offered as an optional elective. I also get the impression that you believe the class would discuss Christ exclusively and preach doctrine as though it is gospel. Which also wouldn't happen. Plus, with no reinforced probability that the child would choose to attend this class anyhow (if the child's parents didn't insist religion upon the child and if the child didn't choose to go to church, why would the child be driven to attending a class about religion?)

 

[Hezam]

Gregory Iceson,i like your discussion way,and i would tell that Hijab is not one type.
for example,in Egypt the women show their faces but they hide their hair.
in Saudi Arabia,women hide the face without showing anything.
in Yemen ( my country ),women hide the face but they show their eyes.
in USA and western counrties,Muslims women wear Like in Egypt.

regards