do you think religion be taught in schools?
471326
Not in state-funded schools--separation of church and state should be strictly enforced.  In religious-run institutions, they should do whatever they want.  If a student didn't want the religious instruction, they could go somewhere else.  In my perfect world.
651753
ABSOLUTELY!!! There is a place for other people to preach & teach religion, its called Church. \nWatch out for her, shes probably a cult leader.\nGot 2 words for you Jim Jones!  He taught religion to his neighbors & look what happened.  If you don't know who he is do a yahoo search on Jim Jones & you can also do Jonestown (probably be a better search).
951283
Yeah we learn Religion in my Middle School not some crap.
1024448
just want to chime in and say i agree with you 100 percent.  it should not be taught in public schools.  leave that for bible school in the evenings or on the weekends.
861782
It always makes me sad when ignorance is made to seem a virtue.  And, yes, I would say religion's interference in education is a factor in the decline of education in the U.S.  I wouldn't say it's as large a factor as lack of discipline due to overcrowding in classes and parents who are too distracted by jobs or their own selfish wants to make sure kids do their homework and respect their teachers, but it's a factor nonetheless.
449309
Absolutely.  Religious bickering amongst people ignorant of the difference between scientific and legal and common definitions of "theory" is a downright foolish, yet these are the people making policy!!  You know it's endemic when it has reached that level...\n\nWhat SHOULD we focus on?\n\n1. MATH: This is the source of technological edge in the world.  When we trail India and China and more than 20 other countries in this area, we are BEGGING to get whacked.\n\n2. Literacy:  6th grade reading ability is no longer sufficient.  Composition skills are, as you can see on this site, abombinable.  Mean, BASIC SPELLING!!??  Reading comprehension and study skills should not be difficult to grasp either.\n\n3. Science: Sadly, many students apparently don't even know what this is, let alone know how to explain why evolution is a scientific theory and intelligent design is not.  Some scientists act pompus about it, but I see it as a reflection of the quality of science education in this country.\n\n4. Ethics:  Some moron decided this shouldn't be taught in school.  Very stupid.  This should be a required class and could be a religious outlet for some while perhaps learning how atheists COULD actually have morality without religion.\n\n5. Debate and logic:  This is NOT "uh-huh vs. nuh-huh!"  Why our presidential debates and rationales are so friggin lame (unless you'd rather see something closer to the WWF).\n\n6. History: I am SHOCKED that people don't know the connection between the Salem Witch trials and why the US has a seperation of church and state.  Perhaps there is too much time wasted on historical fantasies and not enough on historical realities.\n\nLast, but not least, we really need to pay more attention to how we REALLY compare to other countries.  Sure, Japan and China and Germany have sophisticated ways of padding their educational systems' results by sorting out the unmotivated, lackluster students into second-class vocational schools, but if China is cranking out many times more Engineering students and India is cranking out many times more Engineering students, then, Houston, we have a problem...
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?
875795
I consider myself to be a level headed person with rational thought and l have argued this point for years.. Prayer in school is a good thing, the ten commandments in school are a good thing as well.. The only problem l have is when neither of them are in the children's homes..I really don't want my kids educators teaching them how to pray,l feel that if we keep these things in our homes are kids will keep them in their hearts where they belong..
872716
nothing but your own belief. see what you think is right another person might not, thats why it not allowed in school. But i think they should change that rule because in literature it has secret and hidden religious perposes. but any way i think that its just how much faith you have in your own religion.
21327
How can we as believers in God believe that God is not in our schools simply because the government does not try to force children to believe what the government says. (You understand that the government runs the public schools, and if you want religion in school, what you want is the government telling us what kind of religion to practice. Right?)\n\nI recommend that you do study into American hisory -- the beliefs of the founders are mixed, and the principles founding the country are those of religious freedom from government more than government bsed on religion.\n\nAlso, out of curiosity -- what does your main question have to do with the rest of the question?
594568
Would seem like it, wouldn't it?  Think without religion people would have to turn to common sense ... :)
1073730
We were taught evolution at school. That is like teaching Islam in a Catholic school, right? I am with you....and God.
229059
Never school.  Creationists should be very careful of this Pandora's Box!  I'm a teacher who very carefully does not teach morals, and gives  a very balanced view of religions when asked, directing them back to their parents when I can.\nIf you make me teach Creationism, I will also teach the other twenty-five creation stories I know of varous cultures and learn more to boot!  When school becomes the teaching of religious ideas rather than scientific theory because people don't understand that scientists (for the most part) don't consider any of their ideas about questioning and doubt, especially Evolution (since we can't time travel yet), then it is time for our children to be taught ALL religions and belief systems rather than let one dominate.  I strongly suggest that the people who understand religion, and those who understand science, stand up and speak against the people who have made religion into a mockery of science, and science a mockery of religion.  Those who try to force religion into the form of a theory, and those who try to push evolution as a proof that religion is wrong (rather than just an incomplete, but useful theory based on the best scientific evidence we presently have), are very deluded and must be faced with those of us who understand religion, science, or both, combining our efforts to speak our peace.  We know the two aren't at war.  It's those trying to crush the other that are, and there are far more of us than of them.\nDon't silence them.  Just put their numbers, and arguments, in perspective.
909267
Public schools in America do not teach the theology of or endorse any religion. You can go to private religious schools which have special classes each day dedicated to the religion it's founded upon.\n\nIn public school, however, you may be taught the history of and the social issues surrounding major religions in a World Cultures class. I took a class in high school that taught the stories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam from a purely historical pov.
950810
Like most early religions, the condemnation of education was a way for the church to control the people. It's unfortunate but it is a fact that all religions are power based pushing their agenda and loosing sight of what God asks of man. There is a big difference in being spiritual and being religious.  I would say that any religion would be better than no religion but we must search our hearts to find a true religion for ourselves and not just follow the man made teachings because it's convenient
921125
I think parents should encourage their children to learn about all religions, AND about what it is like NOT to have a religion. And then, let them choose.
793928
depends\nOf course if its a private school and sometimes in public. I think it would be ok to mention it in class but not preach it. When it comes to the origin of things like creation vs. evolution then of course both. No one knows for sure the real way everything came about so therefore you should present both views and let the kids see all points of view. Also religion is everywhere and it would be good to expose the kids to a little