Find Religion

Part three to the religious round table for May below.

See part one here.

See part two here.

Vote in the religion in schools poll here.

A brief review of this month’s participants:

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator, Lutheran
Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer, Agnostic
Gillian, Jewish
Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu
Summer M, Priestess, Pagan
JM, Freelance Writer, Neo-Pagan
Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian, Disciple of Christ
Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher, Cumberland Prebyterian

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools, continued…

Allison: I’ve read states of people saying, “Religion should not have a place in public schools because not all religions are represented.” Do you guys and gals agree?

Summer M: I agree with it. Students are in school to get an education, religious studies can take place at other times.

Gillian: Children need to learn about religion because they’re going to
encounter people of different religions in their adult life. They need to understand that for some people it’s highly important and for others it matters not a scrap. They need to understand and appreciate humanity in all its joyous variety. They can’t do that if the subject is entirely ignored or if ‘religion’ is assumed to be one creed or code or cult.

Summer M: That depends on the age. In high school a religious studies class that teaches all religions, and not just the big 3, and does so without bias would be a great class to take. Younger children, however, should get their information from their family.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: It’s not a matter of representation; it’s a matter of purpose. Ultimately public education has a secular purpose. Now, religion could and possibly should be taught – but in an objective way – since religion plays such an important role in American life. I’m concerned that despite our religiosity, it appears that Americans are extremely ignorant when it comes to religious matters. I’ve yet to start Stephen Prothero’s new book, “Religious Literacy,” but from everything I’ve been reading, this is a troubling situation.

Allison: But talking about a religion in a purely worship format, non-informational, does it have a place?

Stephanie Hyatt: I think the observance of religion should be left to the student. Then the religions they feel to be relevant will be represented.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: I would prefer that religion have a place and that all religions be represented.

Allison: Of course, that’s not always possible.

Dave Parrack: It’s impossible to cover all religions but if a broad spectrum of beliefs and views are taught, that’s fine.

Allison: And we can’t talk about teaching religion without talking about creation theory versus evolution theory…

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: Creationism — and its more sophisticated version, Intelligent Design – is not science and so unless taught as part of a comparative religions class that is objective and not sectarian, then no it’s not appropriate.

JM: It, like any other religious studies class, should be optional. If the person is comfortable learning about it/wants to, then it should be available.

Summer M: If it were it should not be taught as science, Possible in a philosophy class, or as part of a debate class. But not as science.

Dave Parrack: As part of a balanced education, I don’t see why not, after all it’s a
theory that people are entitled to believe. What I object to is students not being taught evolution as another possible explanation. I’ve spoken to people in their twenties online who have no idea what evolution is, and have never heard of Charles Darwin. That is very bad in this day and age.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: [It should be taught] in the context of a religion course that would look at the beliefs of all the major religions about the origin and nature of the universe.

Allison: So, religion does have a place in schools in a world cultures class or something to that effect, at the very least?

Stephanie Hyatt: I think it’s important that students be exposed to varying world religions. How can you study world lit or history without a basic understanding of what major world religions teach?

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: If you don’t deal with religion then much of world history is unintelligible. What would you do, for instance with the West in the Middle Ages? What of the Middle East, do we say nothing of Muhammad and the rise of Islam? Our own history as Americans is deeply connected with religion – from the Pilgrims to the cultural wars of the present. The fine line, of course, is finding a way to teach it so that it doesn’t become coercive or end up ridiculing beliefs one doesn’t share. As a historian, I’m appalled when I learn that a teacher takes a class through the history of our country and nothing is said of religion. And so the Great Awakening, the Abolitionists, the defenses of slavery, Temperance and the rise of Women’s Suffrage, and the Civil Rights Movement are discussed without context and definition.

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: Religion is an important part of history and contemporary politics and the ignorance of our citizens, particularly about religions they do not practice themselves, is a major problem.

Dave Parrack: children should be taught about all religions, and different cultures and beliefs. They can then make up their own minds, and have a better understanding of situations around the world.

JM: I only wish I had more options in school regarding any sort of religious studies, informal or otherwise.

Gillian: Teaching someone to believe a particular religion isn’t the same as teaching religion, though. I have grave reservations about only teaching about one religion as if it were the only one. It may be the only one in belief terms for certain religious groups, but it’s certainly not the only one children will encounter as they make their way through life. School is about equipping children for life.

Thank you, everyone, for participating! If you’re interested in sharing your viewpoints in the June religious round table, please email me today at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com!

religion in schools, religion, God, education