should parents let kids atend their kids to Religion class?
113309
Of course, it's their kids.  The day the government tries to tell me what I can and can't teach my children is the day I start forming a group to take back the government for the people.\nI'm in the military and I've sworn to defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  \nTherefore I would see that as an enemy of the constitution and would have to fight against it.
472862
There are many cons.  Some of those would be:\n\nNot everybody worships the same God, some worship no God.\nDifferent denominations of the same belief system pray differently.\nIt takes time away from educating the children.\nHow would parents' issues or concerned be addressed? \n\nOne commonly held misconception is that students can not pray in school, they certainly can.  They can not make other pray with them and they can't be disruptive about it. Schools allow Bible clubs and other religious clubs now, they are not compulsory, but they are allowed.\n\nIf you're looking for some good references, I'd suggest the link below.
246699
I think a bigger question or a different approach is " does it hurt the student's actions. And what religion are you talking about? If it's Christianity then how can the teaching of love, morals, respect, and humility hurt? Religious classes shouldn't be forced in school but it could be an elective.
781455
I have taught in "Brethren Schools". The students come to learn and treat each other and the staff with respect. Because of their religious philosophy, you get some interesting situations!\nA child drops or throws a piece of paper on the floor. The teacher asks," Who did that?".  The child IMMEDIATELY owns up!\n\nImagine such an episode in a state school.\n\nIt is one of the reasons that they don't want their children educated in the state system.
985850
I think the best thing to tell your children in your situation is that while you are an atheist, you wanted them to have the principles of Christianity instilled in them like they were in you and that you also wanted them to have a sound introduction to Christianity so that they could make their decision about religion for themselves because they may not feel the same way about religion, or God, as you do and you didn't want to influence their choice by not letting them learn about Christian religion.
755436
Religion should only EVER be allowed in schools when ALL religions are being taught to ALL students.  Then perhaps people may understand another's point of view a little more readily.  Other than that, it's outright OFFENSIVE to force one religion onto all children in school.  This should never, ever happen in a "cilvilized" society...it's outrageous.
811714
Sorry to disappoint you, but none of the religions we see around in our world is good for anybody. If you seek the good of your children, help them grow and develop as healthy human beings without being caught in the mental trap of any belief-systems. \n\nHelp them to have an open mind, to be fully honest, and to be  life-long learners. \n\nTry to instill the golden rule in them if you can. "Do to others what you expect from them!" \n\nLet them grow as human beings rather than as Christians or Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists or athiests.
686292
If everyone had to wait until 25 to chose a religion then religion would adapt to this.  The reason right now that little kids are herded into religion is that religious beliefs are that the sooner you are taught "The Way" the less mistakes you will make in life.
822235
I thought that schools avoided religion in school.  Why should a Muslim respond to those questions differently than a person of any other religion?  Isn't that prejudice on the part of the teacher?
988692
It isn't.  Keeping religion out of schools promotes freedom of religion for *everyone*, of every religion and no religion.  It allows people to send their kids to school without worrying about whether they will be indoctrinated with religious beliefs that they don't agree with, presented as if they were facts.  That's why secular schooling is essential for everyone, religious and atheist alike.
1081483
Probably.  But what is wrong with that?\n\nAren't parents limiting their child's freedom by:\n\n1)  Telling them stealing is bad\n2)  Teaching them to share\n3)  Teaching them not to lie  etc...\n\nUltimately, it is the parent's right to mold their childrens opinions and behaviors unless it is abusive and harmful.\n\nBy the way, the freedom of religion that we enjoy is freedom from the government abridging religion, not freedom from brainwashing, proseltyzing, lecturing, etc... by individuals and private parties.
620803
Separation of church and state (government) Religion is not banned, I learned about muslims, jewish, greek mythology, ancient egyptian religions. The thing about teaching Christianity is that there are so many fine differences that people currently practice, parents do not want their children to be taught that 'thou shalt not make unto thy self any graven image which is in heaven or on earth to worship" This especially pi$$es of catholics. Thus we have no christianity in schools.
987094
I totally agree with you. People should be given free choice. Religion should not block a person from getting to know the world, to learn about other religions, other cultures.\n\nProbably I only think like this, because I was raised in the same manner, as you suggest in your question!\nI am Unitarian-Universalist - this religion is one of the protestant branches of Christianity that are based on the freedom of choice of one's beliefs.\nBefore confirmation, we learnt about each world religion in detail - in the Sunday school... but we also had classes in our normal highschool schedule for that. You were expected to know about all options, before you decide to be an Unitarian, or anything else.\n\nThis education helped me a lot in my life, ever since!\nI can find the way to talk to people of all backgrounds and religions, because tolerance was poured into me as early as at the age of 11-13. And I never found contradiction between my beliefs and real world, ever in my life. Hm, I think I made a good choice.\n:-)\n\nAre you a Unitarian, too?\n\nIn my country (and that is not US - the one so famous for its "freedoms"), no... it is a little simple European country... so, over here..... this thing WORKS in all public schools!\n\nBack to some answers up there... I was never confused in this education process. I was 11 at the time, I don't think it makes sense earlier than that, though. But when I met Muslims, Budhists, Taoists, Falun Dafa practitioners, or anything else later on... I always knew where to pick them from... where to start even a religious conversation from! :)\nIt is like having a key to the world in my pocket, and I find it great.\nBy the way, professionally I am not a priest, or anything of the sort... I am a normal everyday person like anybody else. I don't know everything so deeply... and in so much detail as someone with a religious major may know, but those classes were good enough to keep me on track so that I don't lose my way in diversity......
1040531
I agree with what you are saying to an extent. Parents shouldn't force their children to believe a certain religion, and children should be a certain age/maturity before proclaiming to follow a certain religion....but as parents it is their responsiblity to teach children things they can't learn any where else. I think parents should teach children about all the worlds religions, and not force your own beliefs. But parents do have to provide the guidance, parents have to given them an example. Parents have to teach their children common sense, and right and wrong.They learn about science and math and whatever else in school, they learn about life and the world through their environment, including parents. Don't you think it would be more crippling to a child to grow up not having any spiritual guidance at all? To be completely ignorant to religion and spirituality?
1134994
I totally agree with you.  Kids today have no religion or God. That means that Satan will take over their spirits and he has.  There is definitely more evil in kids since there is little consequences to their evil deeds.  They have no conscience.  If kids followed the 10 commandments, the USA would be a much better place to live.  I think that all the psychotic drugs kids are on in the schools for ADHD and ADD are one of the direct results of taking God and prayer out of the schools. When I went to school, none of the kids had to take these medications for self-control, etc.
765366
Double standard, yes.\nAm I pissed over it, AMEN. You bet.\nMy son went to Catholic school for 9 years, then public. I told him if you want to pray, talk to God, say things out loud about God, DO IT. I'll be there to fight your battles. He's never, ever had a problem. He even includes the Lord in some of his reports and never an issue. If the rules are not going to change, let's just teach our children how to remain to be themselves, be true to their religion and in a respectful way...you know, don't push your beliefs on others they way the government does, but don't step down from what your heart tells you to do.
83149
Wow.  I think it would be problematic.  Generally, the religion of the mom transfers to the children.  \n\nAs for problems, it depends on how religious each is.  I have known people in this situation that were able to raise the children under both, let them decide later, and just have all the celebrations.  Really depends on the people.