Should Religion be banned from schools?

[Bavarian Raven]

we all know religions like to "brainwash" people so should religion be banned from schools and the such so students can think freely?

I MEAN IN SCHOOLS ALONE!!!


and before you all start ripping into me i want to try and have an open "kind" and "clean" debate on the topic...so if you want to flame me, go to flame wars!!!

[dacey]

I vote yes but creationists have a tendency to see any science as a religion so you might see a claim that if you're going to ban religion then you have to ban science too.

[viperbitex]

we all know religions like to "brainwash" people so should religion be banned from schools and the such so students can think freely?

School is no place for pushing religion I agree, but to take away the right for an individual or individuals to openly speak and or practice their religion is also wrong.

If someone wants to wear an "i loooove Jesus!!" pin thats fine...as long as students aren't forced to pray or made to take part in anything religious....you know?

[unriggable]

No. It should just be banned in school and as any educational process.

[The Factory]

Banning religion is just as bad as religious people trying to morally police everyone else, however, I believe religion should stay away from schools and any form of democratic process to say the least.

[comic boy]

Its daft to ignore religion so it certainly should be taught but in a balanced manner combined with opposing viewpoints. I think single faith schools are a terrible idea though and they should be forced to introduce
a curriculum that covers the subject comprehensively and without prejudice.

[Bavarian Raven]

I mean in school alone but i couldn't fit that in the title

[Harijan]

we all know religions like to "brainwash" people so should religion be banned from schools and the such so students can think freely?

I think your underlying assumption is flawed. Religions do not need or even want to brainwash. Many religions encourage, and are even based in free and open thought.

You are trying to create a conflict between religion and free thought that does not necessarily exist.

Notwithstanding this fallacy, I can respond on the assumption that whatever religion(s) you are referring to do not allow free thought. As a previous poster eluded to, free thought is a matter of perspective, not belief. If an individual or group of individuals is so hard-headed as to believe they are right and no one else can be right (this happens in science and religion professions) then free thought is limited, and progress cannot be made. The education of all students in such a system is limited. Whether that is right or wrong, not for me to decide. I would not participate, nor would I let my children participate.

[HayesA]

No.

But I believe that people should stop trying to force their religious views on others. And Science must first be taught in schools, then religion would be a secondary course. Students should be introduced to all religions; the pros and cons for every religion out on the table for each student. Furthermore, so that the choice is presented to a student, educators should consult parents on how to talk with their children about both topics.

[Harijan]

I vote yes but creationists have a tendency to see any science as a religion so you might see a claim that if you're going to ban religion then you have to ban science too.

I am a scientist, I do not believe in the creation story (as creationist tell it). I am here to tell you that science is most certainly a belief system that is ultimately based in faith.

Anyone who claims different simply does not understand the basic premis of scientific thought.

[Bavarian Raven]

but what really gets me is like for example when the golden compass came out, i will quote this one church man "and parents might take their kids to see this movie. And that is ok. But they might go to far and buy the kid this series of books for christmas and expose them to the horrors of atheism."

does that sound like open minded?

[Harijan]

but what really gets me is like for example when the golden compass came out, i will quote this one church man "and parents might take their kids to see this movie. And that is ok. But they might go to far and buy the kid this series of books for christmas and expose them to the horrors of atheism."

does that sound like open minded?

Definitely not, but it is not representative of the entire religious community. Close-minded religion is just as dangerous as close-minded anything. The problem is being close-minded, not what you are being close-minded about.

If a group of scientist were to come out and say religion must not be taught in schools because it will expose our children to the horrors of God, does that sound any less ludicrous than the Golden Compass Scenario?

BTW how is GC? The previews look great. (not intended to derail)

[Frigidus]

You phrased your question a little strangely so I voted No. I thought you meant banning religion in general. When it comes to schools you have a different matter.

[muy_thaiguy]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Also, the stereotype of religious people in general being close minded is just absurd. Now I'm a Roman Catholic, a member of the Jesus Freaks on here, and admit I can have a mouth on me from time to time, but I am open to debate with many people that do not resort to personal attacks and are respectful with what I believe. So long as those two things are met, I am quite respectful myself.

[Napoleon Ier]

I'm a Roman Catholic

Hey! Snap buddy

Traditional slant or are you a bit of post vatican II man?

[muy_thaiguy]

I'm a Roman Catholic

Hey! Snap buddy

Traditional slant or are you a bit of post vatican II man?

Traditional for me.

[Napoleon Ier]

I'm a Roman Catholic

Hey! Snap buddy

Traditional slant or are you a bit of post vatican II man?

Traditional for me.

YEAH! Tridentine all the way man!

[Snorri1234]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So that's the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

[Napoleon Ier]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

Well this may be explained by the enormous proportion of Christians in the United States, and the fact your country is based on Christian culture.

[Snorri1234]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

Well this may be explained by the enormous proportion of Christians in the United States, and the fact your country is based on Christian culture.

Ah. Mine isn't though. I don't live in the glorious USof A.(Hahaha, "glorious", that's a good one.)

[Napoleon Ier]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

Well this may be explained by the enormous proportion of Christians in the United States, and the fact your country is based on Christian culture.

Ah. Mine isn't though. I don't live in the glorious USof A.(Hahaha, "glorious", that's a good one.)

Where do you live then son?

[Snorri1234]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

Well this may be explained by the enormous proportion of Christians in the United States, and the fact your country is based on Christian culture.

Ah. Mine isn't though. I don't live in the glorious USof A.(Hahaha, "glorious", that's a good one.)

Where do you live then son?

The Netherlands.

[got tonkaed]

I voted no, and not simply because the question lends itself to no, but because really the answer to this one is supposed to be no.

Had you said ban it from the science class, i would have said yes, but there is certainly much more to school than science. Religion is a big part of our human experience and has greatly impacted the lives of the majority of people who have ever lived in its variety of forms.

You simply cannot study history or perhaps even look at different countries today, in an environment that discards religion completly. None of the social sciences or humanities has any real beef with religion and frankly if it could be done so the right way (and im not sure that it could in america) there should be less of an issue about people teaching different religions in public schools. The problem is, this rarely could be done in secondary schools without violating the establishment clause, so we cant really. But it shouldnt be disbanded simply as an idea.

Likewise if we talk about banning religions from school, we may be talking about banning some extracurricular activities for many students. Im sure many schools, probalby most in red states, have bible studies that take place after school is out for the day that is student run. To take this away seems unnecessary as these things arent really government funded and its not faculity sanctioned in many cases.

Simply put, no matter where your stance is on religion, specifically in the US (though really in most of hte world) you cant really get away from it. In some cases it brings out great things in people, in others it brings out much less. Either way, theres no reason to suppress those who are religious, which is what banning religion in public schools would be.

[Napoleon Ier]

Uh, BR, the only schools that actually tend to teach religion, are private schools. Public schools, from my experiences, tend to only skim over it, unless it comes down to other religions that are not of the Judaic-Christian faith. Such as Budhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others. Rarely, if ever will the Christian or Judaic faith be mentioned, much less discussed.

Ah I see. So the reason that the only religion described out of classes on modern society was Budhism? And that was with philosophy, as budhism is actually philosophically interresting. We're only taught about the history of some religions and their people, and that's it.

Seriously, I've never heard of any religion receiving special attention in a public school, unless it was Christianity.

Well this may be explained by the enormous proportion of Christians in the United States, and the fact your country is based on Christian culture.

Ah. Mine isn't though. I don't live in the glorious USof A.(Hahaha, "glorious", that's a good one.)

Where do you live then son?

The Netherlands.

In which case your culture is certainly judeo-Christian and Greco-Latin

[Snorri1234]

In which case your culture is certainly judeo-Christian and Greco-Latin

Oh yes our culture certainly has those influences. What you said however was that it was based on them.