Should public schools add a history of religions course to their curriculum?

we had this at my public school and it was nice and a good learning experience. It was unbiased and even my father (atheist) approved of the way it was taught. I think it is just a history course that happens to be about religions. In no way was it about converting people; it just presented facts.

I would be OK with it, if it truly was unbiased. I think it would be difficult to find a public high school teacher with the knowledge and expertise to teach about a wide variety of religions.

I have a feeling some of the religious folks would be unhappy with the curriculum, since at least some negative things would be said about most religions.

I cannot assume an unbiased approach, unfortunately.

The reason I say this is because so few people are actually qualified to teach from an unbiased perspective.

I cannot count how many times I have seen Christians who claim to be respectful of Jews and Judaism teach about Judaism that Christianity "fulfilled" it.

I have witnessed the "history" of religion being taught in the manner of progression from "primitive" to "modern" in a manner that places Judaism as a "lower" form of belief that has been superceded.

I realize this is a CHRISTIAN belief, but it is not unbiased in the least because that belief has no validity whatsoever to the Jewish belief. If you're teaching about Judaism, you cannot say it " progressed" to Christianity.

Christianity borrowed elements from Judaism. However, in terms of beliefs, it borrowed much more heavily from the surrounding religions. It used the terminology and texts of the Jewish religion, but based itself on a replacement theology, not a development of Judaism itself.

Christianity is no more of a "logical successor" to Judaism than Islam is to Christianity, yet I have read Christians claim this of their religion in relation to Judaism in many posts, and always from people who claim they're well inclined to the Jews.

I have also personally heard teachers say things like.." We believe ( and then giving some aspect of Christian dogma ) but the ( insert any other religion here ) people believe such and such, and generally presenting whatever it is as something that "civilized people" have abandoned.

I think that a history of religions course is appropriate for high school level children, but at this point in time, I do not believe there are enough educators in public schools who are qualified to teach this.

I'd rather public schools focus on teaching the subjects at hand and teach children to respect the rights of others to their own beliefs and culture. This would allow for children to better learn about one another and all the cultural wisdom that surrounds them...without judgemental behavior. Live and let live...respect one another...those are the things that are more important at an elementary and junior high level curriculum in public schools. Teach that if you respect and honor laws that protect the rights of all others, you also ensure your own rights will be respected.

Religion affects what people believe and behavior is a reflection of belief. History is somuch better understood when one learns about the religions of the culture, and we can also better understand where we are today by learning about the beliefs of the world..but at this point in time..it is better to have that at the university level. And I think college should be available to anyone who wants it and will do the work..but then that's another soapbox for later.

Shalom :)

We're already taught a great deal about religion in history class as it is. It's very interesting, I think if students are willing to take it, as I would be, it should be added to schools willing to support it. As long as it is unbiased.

There are whole chapters in our history books on certain religions. In my own history class, we've just started the history of Christianity. And we have learned how the Roman State Religion actually contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire, and how Christianity played a part in that. I'd say that's important.

Public schools are there so that non-Christains need not go to a Catholic school.

It can be found that pressing History of Religion can try to convert some people, as the teacher may not have all the facts, and if they do, perhaps not the right ones.

Although, if they do tech what happened from all points of view, I'm all for it!

Why not? I mean, as long as the teacher isn't forcing their personal beliefs on the students. It seems like a good way for kids to get a glimpse of what's out there religion-wise.

No, I hate history and then to add history of religion. I may be out of high school but I think that should be a course someone can decide to take, not forced because it doesn't make a difference. Some history of religion is in the textbooks and that is good enough.

I believe they should focus on teaching things such as how to read a bills or paying bills, balancing a check books, stocks and bonds, savings accounts, etc. That stuff would be really helpful to some people. I know in my economics class we touched on it but not to the extent that I believe is necessary.

We had it in New Orleans Public Schools as a required course throughout school when I was growing up.

It was called Comparative Religions and each year we were taught a bit more.

And contrary to fearful fundie above, I loved it. It helped with geography, too. It was part of World History.

As long as it was a comprehensive history of the religions and not the history or the religion BY the religion. I don't think it benefits students by screwing with their heads, telling them that donkeys used to be able to talk and it's okay to marry nine year olds and consummate the marriage.

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As long as they include all the horrible things that have been perpetrated by all religions on other religions throughout history. In gruesome, bloody detail.