Murky
Deity
I'm not talking about teaching creationism or religion just Theology. If it's taught as an optional elective course would it go against the separation of Church and state? Is there something to be gained or lost by it?
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Should Theology be offered in public schools?
- Thread starter Murky
- Start date
It is not a violation of Church and State if it is taught as a general course that provides information on religions. However, I am not sure that it would be very effective.
Imagine the middle-schoolers who spend their afternoons posting YouTube comments having an intelligent discussion of religion. Yeah, that's right. It wouldn't happen.
Leave theology as a church and college course, not a public school one.
Leave theology as a church and college course, not a public school one.
It would be a really expansive course, but I think it could be properly designed.
That said, I do think that some nations would find it constitutionally sticky
That said, I do think that some nations would find it constitutionally sticky
Murky
Deity
I'm not sure that middle-schoolers are offered electives except for a choice of languages or the choices between art & music. I was thinking more along the lines of an advanced high-school course. This way, if the student wants they could take theology instead of something like advanced art.
Photi
Governor
it's probably best left for college, in a prep school, or by the parents. it would be too controversial to have in a public high school and the likelihood is that the controversy would dictate what could be taught in the class and the resulting sanitized knowledge would not be an accurate representation of what 'theology' actually is. in order not violate the church and state rule, it would have to be a survey class: this is christian theology, this is jewish theology, hindu, islamic etc. you can probably get enough topical coverage in a social studies or current events textbook.
Che Guava
The Juicy Revolutionary
Meh, if you're talking about a world religions course, or just a primer in theology without being specific to a faith, why not?
I don't think there would be a problem from a U.S. Constitutional perspective to have an elective course. The problem would be some of the source material - too much sex, violence, and depictions of supernatural activity if you listen to the standards espoused by the book banning crowd.
Well, you wouldn't need to get into the details of what the holy books say. In my history classes we didn't alwaus cover the really good stuff . . .
It is, though, I think tragically ironic that some of the people who would most support having classes like this on their own religion would be most opposed to having it on other religions.
It is, though, I think tragically ironic that some of the people who would most support having classes like this on their own religion would be most opposed to having it on other religions.
That's what would kill a class like this and generate the most controversy at school board meetings.
warpus
Sommerswerd asked me to change this
How about a history of world religions, including the dvelopment of the important ones, how the affected each other, society, etc.
Sounds like a worthwhile course to me.
Sounds like a worthwhile course to me.
I think it should be, since religion is such a major part of history. Too many people don't know what the fundamental beliefs are of the major religions. Even if you don't believe in them, those beliefs still affect the world in a big way.
I had a history class that touched on it, although it wasn't dedicated to it at all. It was just the basics, but it was still a vital step in my education. The hard part would be finding balanced teachers like the one I had to teach it.
I had a history class that touched on it, although it wasn't dedicated to it at all. It was just the basics, but it was still a vital step in my education. The hard part would be finding balanced teachers like the one I had to teach it.
I last attended public school in 5th grade, so I was never at risk for this anyways. My religion classes in high school didn't really go into it, but I took an incredible theology course in college about Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
CartesianFart
Deity
People are better off to be remained ignorant of religions. It will do nothing but confuse them.
Slaughter
Paladin
No. Religion should be away from schools.
skadistic
Caomhanach
They can't teach kids the 3R's in a day with all the extra crap the last thing schools need is another class that doesn't teach them the basics.
Murky
Deity
How do you know? Some people may find it useful.
mythmonster2
BEC NOIR! RUN!
Well, you're not talking about my middle school then. We have Broadcasting*, Industrial Tech*, Choir, Orchestra, Office Work**, Band, Teen Leadership**, Speech and Theater, Art*?, Spanish**,and there's probably some more I missed.
*= only allowed to 7th+8th graders
**= only allowed to 8th graders
*?= I'm not sure
Oh, and I don't think you would exactly get bucketloads of people wanting to join. We have a "Fellowship of Christian Students" club, though.
Desmond Hawkins
Deity
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2002
- Messages
- 9,922
Forget that. If it wanted to add courses, Canada would do better disaggregating the ridiculous "social studies" program into the actual component subject. Why not have History, Geography, and maybe Poli Sci or Economics? You really cannot lump them all together.
I'm not really sure how you can do it outside of a history of world religions course without people complaining. Perhaps a philosophy of religion, but if you're gonna do that, might as well just have a philosophy course; that might be useful.
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