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It's not preaching the religion. Just teaching its influence. Academic study of religions and their impact on society make for pretty amazing classes.
When it's one book supporting a specific religion, it crosses the line.
That religion is christianity.
Keep it out of the public schools.
Unless, of course, you're open to the buddhist, taoist, confucian, hindu, satanist, naturalist, etc. religions or religious texts that also had influence.
All religions should be classed as philosophies and taught as such.
The decision to become a religious follower of any group should be reserved until a child is old enough to make rational choice. I believe that age is when they are allowed to vote, legally drink alcohol, or serve in the military. Anything else is nothing more than brainwashing.
It's not preaching the religion. Just teaching its influence. Academic study of religions and their impact on society make for pretty amazing classes.
I know I found them interesting.
I have taken courses on Western Religions, Eastern Religions, and even a course on Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion.
*chuckle*
I didn't really want to take them, but then... it was a liberal school with a ton of forced electives and they were the only interesting ones. It was that or ethnic studies of various cultures and most of them were simply professors with racist opinions preaching to a class predominately filled with that race.
In college, I took a course called "Myth and Culture." One of the best courses I've ever taken. It discussed the history of all the "old" religions, their impact on civilization, and what sort of present day behaviors are derived from centuries-old religions. The course did not dwell on any one religion. It was great, informative, and a real eye-opener. I would never object to that being taught in high school because it's certainly more of a history course and it helps one to understand how we got from there to here.
I can see that this type of course would offend certain people who might be entrenched in their religion because it can be challenging to all of the religions. And when you see the similarities between each of the religions, you start to think "hmmmmm, maybe mine is not so unique."
In college, I took a course called "Myth and Culture." One of the best courses I've ever taken. It discussed the history of all the "old" religions, their impact on civilization, and what sort of present day behaviors are derived from centuries-old religions. The course did not dwell on any one religion. It was great, informative, and a real eye-opener. I would never object to that being taught in high school because it's certainly more of a history course and it helps one to understand how we got from there to here.
I can see that this type of course would offend certain people who might be entrenched in their religion because it can be challenging to all of the religions. And when you see the similarities between each of the religions, you start to think "hmmmmm, maybe mine is not so unique."
Totally agree. I also had a class on various religions and we connected the similarities among them. It was a great class.
BTW..this was a senior elective class in High School..a Catholic high school.
I don't see a problem with this, if its really going to be implemented for the reason they say it is.
If it was on,
Influences of all religion's in history - both good and bad, fine.
But since it is guided to just one religious concept (the "bible") and it's influences in history - and what may be percieved by that religion as the positive, it is not fine, even as a elective.
And even though it is supposed to accommodate "not only diverse religious views but also non-religious views", those things will get quickly lost in the shuffle (with "we didn't have time to cover that today", as the reason it didn't get covered).
The Bible has greatly influenced human history. Sounds like a great course.
It does sound like a great "course", especially at college level.
We have enough controversy over whether our public school children
are graduating with grade level reading, writing, and arithmetic
skills to compete in the real world. We don't need to add any more.
Let's stick to the basics at public school.
Save the liberal arts classes for college or bible study IMO.
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