why is it good to learn about different religions in school?
820518
Everyone deserves information.  The purpose of school is to educate, after all.\n\nAnd you really should be taught religion by someone who has actually studied it.  Literature and Humanities teachers usually have entire libraries detailing Christianity, Islam, Sumerian gods, and hundreds of other religions.\n\nBesides, a lot of children only learn religion from one source:  their families.  That's very nice, but learning religion from your family has a couple of flaws:\n1.  Usually a religion stresses that other religions are wrong (especially monotheistic religions).  As such, parents are less willing to teach other religions.  The most information a child gets is, "That religion is wrong."  \n2.  Most family members are not qualified to teach about other religions.  That's like asking your father to teach you Calculus when he can't even multiply fractions.\n\nSo, learning religions from family members can often be counter to education.  At least in school, there is someone who is learned in these topics--in theory; there is always the risk of a teacher with a hidden agenda.\n\nI support teaching various religions in school.  It's as useful as teaching literature.  No, it won't get you a job necessarily, but it does enrich the person as he learns many viewpoints.\n\nEdit:  I see some people are confusing religion with morality--a common mistake.  I support schools teaching about religions, but it's up to the parents to teach about morals.  If the parents are amoral, then we can hope that the peers can correct the child's misconceptions.
846046
I personally think that we are afraid of differences of religions because we may be shown that what we have believed all along is not correct!   My mother was old school with her attitude that if such and such religion was good enough for her parents, it was good enough for her, and lots of folks are like that. They don't WANT to hear or learn about anything different, because then they might have to rethink everything they know and believe!  It's just easier for some to go with the flow rather than learn something new that may change everything!
13589
The only way I know of to KNOW a religion is to practice it.\n To learn what a religion is about, I think read the books, listen to the people and go to the churches and then make YOUR decision based on how you feel that it all fits in with your core values and beliefs
571728
well, im sure they have some classes taught on it, how well it is allowed to be taught with the religious right butting in who knows, also the kids are pretty stupid these days they dont learn much of anything they are taught.
744668
I think it's absurd, school is meant to teach you how to learn, to achieve this you must open the mind not close it. To subscribe to a system of beliefs is to close the mind to certain issues, there is no other way around that. To truly learn a new thing efficiently and without bias you must first admit that you don't know certain things. If you have already come to a conclusion about a thing because of religious indoctrination with out doing your own research to confirm, then this trend will continue for the rest of your life, because it is easy, it is human nature to take the easy road, and this is what cripples your ability to learn efficiently.
850737
My religious views encourage me to learn and grow, both mentally and spiritually.  It encourages me to have a strong, loving family.  It encourages me to be a good citizen and to look for ways to help other people.  It encourages me to be humble and teachable and to realize that I don't have all the answers and probably never will.
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
577323
Yes.  Religious school.  Public school is government schooling and the government should not promote any partricular relgion or class of religions in any way.  By ensuring that schools carriculums remain secular it empowers parents and loved ones to educate their children on spiritual matters without government interference and preserves our freedom.
951283
Yeah we learn Religion in my Middle School not some crap.
902701
In Europe we get to learn science in school. :) Even European Christians don't have a problem with that, they are open to knowledge from more sources than the Bible, but then again they are not fundamentalists like so many American Christians.
1149064
Religion has created and set the foundation for modern education. It set up institutions to teach people about the Bible, and educated  priests. \n\nIn time, this branched out into classical studies and natural sciences, and eventually brought about modern schools. So, religion did have a benefit in that regard.
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.
831270
Christianity, Buddhism, Muslim, Jewish, Wicca, Paganism, Hinduism, Scientology, Mormonism, I continually study religion, it is one of my great passions. You can't have a good conversation on religion unless you know what the person you are talking to is talking about.
770788
Actually I think alot can be learned from comparative religion,especially if you go back far enough to see the similarities between different religions so that you can see the possibility of things taught in one religion actually having origins long before. One such example is the "ressurection" which of course was only witnessed by Jesus's followers,therefore there is no reason to believe it really happened,but if you go back in time you find other religions with very similar stories,stories that perhaps the Christians borrowed from in creation of their theology. And it makes perfect sense since some of the religions I speak of were worshipped by their ancestors,like the Canaanites who worshipped Baal and who at one time had a yearly celebration marking his death and ressurection. Although these things changed over time and eventually Baal and his father Dagon were eventually put in the trash heap of theology to be ignored and mocked the fact remains that many of the practices from that religion were eventually merged into the belief systems that followed. If nothing else it provides a launching board for the very factual belief that God is a creation of man,not the other way around. \n\nAD
159733
So you can help people in third-world countries where they can't go to school.  Nothing's more expensive than ignorance. With all your knowledge, you will realize the truth and the ones that have their own agenda.(refer to "yours" below).  Jesus died for you to be able to question and go to school and make your Heavenly Father proud!    Your future is bright in the SON.  Make school work for you, ask teachers to challenge you, not in a rebellious way, but tell them you want to put your own style into the assessments/projects.  Most teachers enjoy some free-spirit thinking in place of the monotonous and sometimes tedious lessons they have to teach to meet the standards and tests.\nDon't believe everything you read, with education, you will know how to find your purpose.  God Bless, In Jesus the SON, enjoy the ride!
380525
Its opened my eyes about alot actually.  I see how people react to religion. I have learned alot about different religions and understand them a little better.  It has given me links to read more on them and I have and I feel that has given me a better perspective on them.  I havent converted to anything as I am happy being the little witch but it has given me more of an appreciation for it.  It has given me thought on my own faith. And has even given me a little guidance along the way.\nI thoroughly enjoy this section best.  There is too much to learn and understand.  I enjoy learning about religions and societies (ancient and modern) so this place has been perfect for me!
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.