who is the best teacher for World Religion Classes?

[Katzpur]

I'm not even sure what this poll option was supposed to mean:

ANYONE can if they stick with facts and not the spiritual beliefs

How on earth can any world religion be studied in anything other than a very superficial way unless its spiritual beliefs are taught? What would be covered? Its history and demographics? Religions are all about spiritual beliefs. You can't study them at all if you fail to examine the reason for their existence. Ideally, I think the choice of teachers should be:

Representatives of each religionTrue, you may not get 100% unbiased information, but it will likely be more accurate than if someone who believes its teachings are crazy. If I want to learn about Judaism, I'm not going to go to a Muslim for my information -- or visa versa. It is entirely possible for an adherent of a religion to explain the teachings of his own religion without whitewashing its history or proselytizing.

[jacqueg]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I'm not even sure what this poll option was supposed to mean:

ANYONE can if they stick with facts and not the spiritual beliefs

How on earth can any world religion be studied in anything other than a very superficial way unless its spiritual beliefs are taught? What would be covered? Its history and demographics? Religions are all about spiritual beliefs. You can't study them at all if you fail to examine the reason for their existence.

To me, it meant that of course the beliefs are described and explained. They're just not taught as THE TRUTH.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Ideally, I think the choice of teachers should be:

Representatives of each religionTrue, you may not get 100% unbiased information, but it will likely be more accurate than if someone who believes its teachings are crazy. If I want to learn about Judaism, I'm not going to go to a Muslim for my information -- or visa versa. It is entirely possible for an adherent of a religion to explain the teachings of his own religion without whitewashing its history or proselytizing.

Yes, I think that could be an interesting course. But it would be much harder to organize, and there's the sectarian issue. A mormon, for instance, would have a very different take on christianity than a lutheran.

[bUU]

Originally Posted by Floorist

Teenagers are easily susceptible to brain washing.

So are adults of all ages.

[cupper3]

Actually, probably an atheist would be the best. They would have no preconceived ideas of which is the right religion.