Does religion have a place in public schools?

Religion has undoubtedly shaped human civilisation through its short, yet powerful, history. In the past most communities would rely on religious teachings to be bestowed on the younger generations, who would in turn give those teachings to their children and so on. The respective religion would generally include a moral code of conduct, such as Sharia Law for Islam and the Ten Commandments for Judaism and Christianity, and would influence politics. However with the coming of new technologies and multiculturalism; the influence of religions has greatly dwindled. Most countries, especially western democracies, are secular and often include a freedom of religion in their respective constitutions. With that being said, the question of religious education in public schools remains heated.

Should religion be taught in public schools, or should that right be only applied to private schools specialising in that religion? Would the teaching of global religions create a more tolerant generation? Please share your views.

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Reply 1

42meaningoflife

Rather pernickity point, but Public schools are Private. Government funded schools are called Stare or Comprehensive. Sorry for the pedantry. Personally I believe that schools should teach about religion in the context of furthering childrens' understanding of different cultures, but they should not be taught in a preachy or judgemental manner. I also think that, regardless of the religious beliefs of the teachers, science should be taught thoroughly and without religious bias in the correct setting (hearing an RE teacher attempt to explain TBBT and evolution was possibly the most painful thing I've ever heard).

Reply 2

Ryan Needhan

It has a place in RE and potentially philosophy and English language or media when its a large part of a studied culture but it shouldnt be taught as fact and it has no place in science classrooms

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Reply 3

Plainview

Religious Education should be taught in order to give children empathy and help them understand what other people believe. It should focus on Christianity (because of its role in our history as a country) but should not be limited to it.

Any form of religious instruction needs to be avoided (thankfully we're nearly at that stage in the UK). Dressing opinions up as facts for children is extremely immoral.

Reply 4

ProcrastinatePro

Even though I didn't believe in any of the religions taught during school, I did actually find R.E to be quite an interesting subject to be perfectly honest. It's always nice to get a better understanding on things (even if they're fictional).

Reply 5

King Hotpie

It should be taught, and made very clear that it is not scientifically proven, and in fact, often goes against scientific evidence and can therefore be regarded as false. Which is what my primary school failed to do... :colone:

Luckily, secondary school and natural curiosity were there to fix the the damage! :biggrin:

Reply 6

pjm600

Should religion have a place in science classes: No.
Should religion have a place in religious education classes: Yes.

Regardless of the school. It's important to have an understanding of the beliefs of others, but religion has no place in science classes. If it's not being taught as fact, which has to be made quite clear, then yes, it does have a place.

Reply 7

ufo2012

Original post by Gwindor

Would the teaching of global religions create a more tolerant generation?

I thought this was changed a few years ago so that global religions are now taught in schools?

Reply 8

Hopple

RE yes. Religious chanting/preaching in assemblies no.

Reply 9

mmmpie

There is a difference between teaching religion, and teaching about religion. I am in favour of the latter, but opposed to the former.

Reply 10

Ispeakinmysleep

To some extent

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Reply 11

Xotol

I am strongly against any faith schools because they tend to paint a one-sided story to their religion, but I am all for teaching about religion in (as unbiased as they can be) RE classes. However, I think more emphasis should be placed on critically evaluating religion rather than just learning its practices since that's probably more beneficial to children.

Original post by DCFCfan4eva

I agree with you in theory as they should make a decision for themselves what to believe.

but actually most schools teach that evolution is fact and that God doesn't exist which is equally as bad. But because it's not supporting a religion it seems to make it OK

I haven't heard of one school that asserts 'God doesn't exist'.

Evolution is a fact btw.

Reply 12

the bear

Religion is key to the Public School ethos. One has only to look at the magnificent chapels of Eton, Charterhouse & Rugby to appreciate this point. Our finest bishops were nurtured in the bosom of these Christian powerhouses.

Reply 13

DCFCfan4eva

Original post by Xotol

I haven't heard of one school that asserts 'God doesn't exist'.

.

Mine did ...

Reply 14

Xotol

Original post by DCFCfan4eva

Mine did ...

How? Did the RE teacher flat out say 'God does not exist'? Does the school badge say 'God does not exist'?

I think if a school did say that, there'd be a pretty big uproar over it...

Reply 15

GrumpyCat

Against religious schools, but think that schools should teach about the worlds major religions.

Going to a Catholic secondary, not a fan of it.

Reply 16

jsmithy11

All schools should eb founded in Christianity, no need to talk about the other religions apart from showing that they are inncorrect.

Reply 17

GrumpyCat

Original post by jsmithy11

All schools should eb founded in Christianity, no need to talk about the other religions apart from showing that they are inncorrect.

Prove it.

Reply 18

mmmpie

Original post by jsmithy11

All schools should eb founded in Christianity, no need to talk about the other religions apart from showing that they are inncorrect.

You don't think religious toleration is something schools should promote then?

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Reply 19

Xotol

Original post by DCFCfan4eva

Well obviously it wasn't as direct as that. None of the R.S. Teachers had a faith/religon and the head of RS (who I had as a teacher for several years) basically said that.

Okay, so, in other words, it never really happened. There's no need for you to be this vague if it wasn't.

Schools are usually very careful when it comes to these matters. Even if RE teachers have no faith (which all mine did as well, but it didn't really matter).