Find Religion

Once a month, FindReligion will be hosting the religious round table, a place where people can talk about and discuss various subjects of controversy. Everyone is invited to participate, regardless of religious belief.

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator: I’ve been a Lutheran since I was a child, but have explored a number of other religions and also agree with other viewpoints on the Divine.

Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer: Being an agnostic just sort of happened for me. I was brought up vaguely Church of England Christian, but never really practising or a church goer. Visit my website.

Gillian: When I was 12 my parents said I could choose whatever religion I liked, so I researched several, but decided I liked being Jewish. I’ve had upbringing as Australian Orthodox, but I attend synagogues and have family and friends right across the spectrum. Visit my website.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu:I grew up Roman Catholic and converted to Hinduism. Informally, I’ve been practicing for more than twenty years. Formally, for twelve years.

Summer M, Priestess: I was raised Southern Baptist, broke away at 13 and considered myself atheist until I found Paganism. I’ve been practicing now for 10 years. Visit my website.

JM, Freelance Writer: I’ve fit into the belief system most of my life but have never defined myself as Neo-Pagen until recently. My family moved from church to church when I was growing up (Christian denominations) before settling on non-denominational. Visit my website.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian: I’ve not always been a member of the Disciples of Christ, but I’ve been in the Christian church from birth. Growing up Episcopalian, in time my journey took me into the Foursquare Church and from there to the Disciples, though I’ve had a few other stops along the way. I’ve been a Disciple for 22 years now. Visit my website.

Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher: I’ve been practicing 10 years as a Cumberland Presbyterian, but mainstream Christian my whole life. I grew up Baptist, but I consider that a similar religion — i.e., Baptist doctrine is a bit more conservative, but they are more alike than different. Visit my website.

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools

Allison: Hi, everyone. Thanks for participating. We’re talking about religion in schools today, so let’s start out with a bit of information about the religion in the schools you attended. Did anyone go to a religions high school or college?

Summer M: No, mine was a public school. Though the majority were Christian so there were a lot of Christian activities on campus. I would have preferred that religion was kept more off-campus. I went to an all women’s college. I loved that it was very open to all religions and not just to the major ones. It was a great experience.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: [I went to] the University of Notre Dame (Roman Catholic). The experience was mixed. In the long run I would say that it was good because I learned a great deal from it and it helped to make me who I am.

Gillian: I went to a state school. In Australia these have no religious affiliation whatsoever. It was a mixed experience - there was little knowledge of Judaism or understanding of Judaism but at least (except around Christmas and Easter) we weren’t being taught someone else’s religion.

Dave Parrack: I did go to a Church of England school, and found the experience fine. We were taught about all religions, not just Christianity, and also evolution was a mainstay of science. I can’t complain that I wasn’t give the chance to make my own mind up.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: Prior to college all of my schooling was public and non-religiously affiliated. I did attend a religiously affiliated college, Northwest Christian College in Eugene, OR. My experience was, over all, positive. When I first went to the school I didn’t know anything about the sponsoring tradition (the Disciples) or really understand its ethos. I was somewhat narrow in my thinking and it took time for me to broaden my perspective. By the end of my time at NCC I had experienced a tremendous broadening of thought and practice. In time that experience led to my affiliation with the Disciples.

Stephanie Hyatt: I was home-schooled, mainly because my parents felt that public school was too secular!

Allison: Does anyone here have children? Do they go to a religious school? Or, would you send your future children to a religiously affiliated school?

Summer M: No, I would not.

JM: I don’t think so.

Allison: Why not?

JM: I went to a regular school and partially attribute that to my exposure to many religions.

Summer M: I want my children to experience a vast range of religions.

Dave Parrack: Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Yes I would, but not one which taught
religion above all else. As part of a rounded and complete education it’s fine, as long as children are given the choice to decide the truth for themselves.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: If I had children I would send them to a Hindu or a Buddhist school if one were available.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: Although my wife teaches in a Catholic school, our son has always attended public school. For many reasons, cost included, I’m quite happy with the public schools and find no compelling reason to send him to a religiously affiliated school. If his interests were to lead him to attend a religiously affiliated college, I would be quite open to this.

Gillian: It depends on the child’s needs. I have a preference for state schools, but would send a child to the school that would best fit their developmental needs. This might well be a school affiliated with a religion
different to my own. In my family a good education and the child’s happiness are the first considerations - religious education can be provided at home.

Check back tomorrow for part two of this religious round table, where our panelists will discuss prayer in schools, the words “under God” in the pledge, and school sponsored organizations!

religion, religion in schools, education, religious education, panel discussion, God, children