Travel0 min ago
religion and schools
29 Answers
A few of you will know that my son (and mrs wizards son)
are home educated.A part of the reason (admitedly a small part) is the religious aspect. My son was once told that he would burn in hell if he didnt pray to Allah 5 times a day--this was on a school trip to a mosque when he was about 7.
The question is, how should religion be taught in schools?
I questioned everything that I was taught in R.E. and it wasnt appriciated.I had to have morning assembly where bible stories were forced down our throats and we had to bow our heads in prayer and sing hyms.I found it all ridiculous even then but we HAD to conform.
I teach my son and stepson about religion but from a question and answers point of view and from an historical perspective and they are encouraged to use logic and reason when examining religious claims.
Would schools be better to teach logic and reason, rather than religious twaddle
are home educated.A part of the reason (admitedly a small part) is the religious aspect. My son was once told that he would burn in hell if he didnt pray to Allah 5 times a day--this was on a school trip to a mosque when he was about 7.
The question is, how should religion be taught in schools?
I questioned everything that I was taught in R.E. and it wasnt appriciated.I had to have morning assembly where bible stories were forced down our throats and we had to bow our heads in prayer and sing hyms.I found it all ridiculous even then but we HAD to conform.
I teach my son and stepson about religion but from a question and answers point of view and from an historical perspective and they are encouraged to use logic and reason when examining religious claims.
Would schools be better to teach logic and reason, rather than religious twaddle
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Octavius, I didn't tell you not to read our opinions - I merely suggested that you stop reading them if you find them so dull and superficial.
You may not care who stays and leaves Answerbank, but some of us do. Luna's input is valuable, I like him a lot, he has a great deal of common sense and I wouldn't like to see him leave.
Although I'm reluctant to speak for the author of original question, he isn't here so I will. I believe he does see religion as twaddle - as do I. However, I would point out that the incident he mentioned regarding his son concerned Islam, so hardly specifically aimed at debunking Christianity in particular. You say Jack has a chip on his shoulder - but perhaps a quick glance at your own shoulder wouldn't go amiss.
Of course the debate on religion is the recurring theme on this section - what else would you expect?
The non-believers here don't need a response from fundamentalist to argue their point - they'll speak to all comers - and it's not usually the non-believers who 'do a runner' - in my experience it's quite the reverse since countless questions about Christianity continue to remain unanswered! Maybe you should try listening to the non-believers once in a while - it could be very beneficial in expanding a small mind.
You may not care who stays and leaves Answerbank, but some of us do. Luna's input is valuable, I like him a lot, he has a great deal of common sense and I wouldn't like to see him leave.
Although I'm reluctant to speak for the author of original question, he isn't here so I will. I believe he does see religion as twaddle - as do I. However, I would point out that the incident he mentioned regarding his son concerned Islam, so hardly specifically aimed at debunking Christianity in particular. You say Jack has a chip on his shoulder - but perhaps a quick glance at your own shoulder wouldn't go amiss.
Of course the debate on religion is the recurring theme on this section - what else would you expect?
The non-believers here don't need a response from fundamentalist to argue their point - they'll speak to all comers - and it's not usually the non-believers who 'do a runner' - in my experience it's quite the reverse since countless questions about Christianity continue to remain unanswered! Maybe you should try listening to the non-believers once in a while - it could be very beneficial in expanding a small mind.
The original question goes back to education but purports that religion is twaddle. That may be so but at least learned children would have enough basis in knowledge about it to say why it is, rather than just random exclamations with no foundation.
Surely in order to form a rational opinion of religion you would need to learn about it/be taught it. If you open the mind of a child to the idea that belief in religion exists in the world then they can form their own opinion of it.
The recurting theme: "Religion eh? crap iinit? dicusss".
I often listen to non-believers, in fact my wife is one but neither of us feel the need to debate in circles the rights and wrongs of each others perceptions.
Of course I welcome people on AB to come and go as they please, its their prerogative - but wounded soldiers that run away live to fight another day. I�m sure they�ll be back and I am of course prepared to listen but bless their little cotton socks I might just not agree.
Fair point, Fingerprint..........
Sorry this is all a bit after the fact but I've been away from my computer.........
In summary.........it is usually 'those of faith' who have a negative opinion on (I'm sorry, I haven't found out yet how to make my words in Bold Typeface) Homosexuality, Adultery, etc.
The point IS they have a right to their point of view. But they have an external point of view of MY life. If I write that my life and my love has value...... but their views carry equal weight to mine ?!?
No, that I cannot allow.................
I would be sad to see anyone leave this list..........and I enjoy a good debate as much as the next person...............but to concede that there is a particular 'sect' of Christians who would give me absolute, unquestioned acceptance is a nonsense..........there is a club with rules and I transgess those rules, therefore no matter how pretzel-like they are altered, CANNOT admit me.
I strongly object to this 'view' being reinforced from an early age, in the same way that I object to all indoctrination. It is not the education system's job to turn out clones.
Surely, as the original question asks, the education system should be geared up to the great imponderables.......... Who, When, How, Where and Why with no partisan input ?
Sorry this is all a bit after the fact but I've been away from my computer.........
In summary.........it is usually 'those of faith' who have a negative opinion on (I'm sorry, I haven't found out yet how to make my words in Bold Typeface) Homosexuality, Adultery, etc.
The point IS they have a right to their point of view. But they have an external point of view of MY life. If I write that my life and my love has value...... but their views carry equal weight to mine ?!?
No, that I cannot allow.................
I would be sad to see anyone leave this list..........and I enjoy a good debate as much as the next person...............but to concede that there is a particular 'sect' of Christians who would give me absolute, unquestioned acceptance is a nonsense..........there is a club with rules and I transgess those rules, therefore no matter how pretzel-like they are altered, CANNOT admit me.
I strongly object to this 'view' being reinforced from an early age, in the same way that I object to all indoctrination. It is not the education system's job to turn out clones.
Surely, as the original question asks, the education system should be geared up to the great imponderables.......... Who, When, How, Where and Why with no partisan input ?
Octavius, if you read the original question again you'll find Wizard has said he is teaching his children about religion.
Your suggestion that non-believers say 'crap innit' pre-supposes a serious lack of education, but you're sadly mistaken. Most are extremely well-informed and well-read, and certainly far more articulate than you give them credit for.
Because you and your wife don't feel the need to debate each others perceptions, it doesn't follow that other people are disinterested in other views. What are you saying? That this section of AB is unnecessary?
I truly hope Luna will not leave, because his input is valuable and the only people that really run away are the Christians who consistently worm their way out of answering awkward questions.
Cotton socks or not, I'm sure the non-believers are very grateful to you for welcoming them to come and go as they please - and the fact that your views oppose theirs can only be of benefit to R&S because without opposing views there is no debate.
Your suggestion that non-believers say 'crap innit' pre-supposes a serious lack of education, but you're sadly mistaken. Most are extremely well-informed and well-read, and certainly far more articulate than you give them credit for.
Because you and your wife don't feel the need to debate each others perceptions, it doesn't follow that other people are disinterested in other views. What are you saying? That this section of AB is unnecessary?
I truly hope Luna will not leave, because his input is valuable and the only people that really run away are the Christians who consistently worm their way out of answering awkward questions.
Cotton socks or not, I'm sure the non-believers are very grateful to you for welcoming them to come and go as they please - and the fact that your views oppose theirs can only be of benefit to R&S because without opposing views there is no debate.
Octavius..."surely in order to form a rational opinion of religion you would need to learn about it/be taught it"
Teaching children about religion is one thing (and my kids ARE taught about religion) but telling them that they will go to hell is another, it is nothing less than child abuse.
I am not against the teaching of religion, I am against the indoctrination of religion and I am against the way that it is taught.In any subject at school (science, maths etc) children are encouraged to question and to seek answers. But when it comes to faith issues this is discouraged. If my son had been encouraged to question the immans (sick) remarks on his mosque visit or encouraged to ask if there is anything historical about xmas nativity plays etc then it would be a different matter, but religion is often taught as fact and not faith.
Teaching children about religion is one thing (and my kids ARE taught about religion) but telling them that they will go to hell is another, it is nothing less than child abuse.
I am not against the teaching of religion, I am against the indoctrination of religion and I am against the way that it is taught.In any subject at school (science, maths etc) children are encouraged to question and to seek answers. But when it comes to faith issues this is discouraged. If my son had been encouraged to question the immans (sick) remarks on his mosque visit or encouraged to ask if there is anything historical about xmas nativity plays etc then it would be a different matter, but religion is often taught as fact and not faith.
Well infundibulum... I have never believed in any sort of god or higher power. I have always thought everything is just random and nothing happens for a reason. I still do and I actually find this a really comforting thing and it has helped me get through some very tough times. Hope this makes sense! xx
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