A question to everyone-Religious Studies in School?

First - I'm from Canada.

Second, all of this should be taught in school as part of the social studies (History, geography, politics, arts) as religion is a critical influence in culture and societal development. Pretending it doesn't exist (as some atheist's would, under the guise of separation of church and state) is foolhardy at best. How can one expect to understand the world around them, if they are not grounded in the concepts which form the impetus of so much social change, restraint and conflict.

Belief Systems incorporating Mythology and Folklore.

History of Religion Worldwide.

Comparative Religion

Religious Art Worldwide

Architecture of World Religions

Music of World Religions

I don't find any contentious. My selection is what I was taught, in the order I was taught it, in my Humanities class in 12th grade. Some of the Christians objected to religions be taught in same course as myths. But as you said, being pragmatic, I was aware that atheists consider religion to be a myth. I was a Christian who was aware I was not in church so I wasn't expecting any religious training. My teacher never called religion a myth. (Even though he was an atheist.) He was respectful enough to teach "myths" and the "move on to religions."

Having these classes taught in a secular way did enlighten me to my personal scripture studies. In reality, there wasn't any monotheism in Old Testament times. (There was polytheism.) So this helped me to gain some understanding to my current world view of those who did accept monotheism.

And a lot of the ancient customs clarified scripture verses that I did not understand.

Such as learning that the "eye of a needle" was the small door in a city or a castle gate. Makes much more sense now, the verse that talks about "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Because thinking of our sewing needle would make it an impossible task for a camel. Meaning it's IMPOSSIBLE for the rich to go to heaven. But the history shows me rich just have difficulty. Whew! We don't have to give up all hope of salvation just b/c we win the lotto.

Not teaching religion as information does not stop people from choosing a religion. It does cause intolerance from ignorance. I don't have to believe that China's laws are right, but I sure better be educated on them if I go to live there. We too, should be educated about the people that live around us.

I have no desire to become a Muslim, but I do like to learn about the religion so that I can understand the points of views from my Muslim friends.

Remember when gays HAD to live in the closet just b/c society didn't want it to "exist?"

I honestly see no problem with any of these courses. It would actually be doing a great disservice to students if schools didn't acknowlege the existence of religions and didn't at least offer courses which study them in a cultural sense. The only problems for me arise when religous studies (a cultural topic) gets mixed in with OTHER topics which have nothing to do with religion or culture such as in Science courses.

All of these should be offered at a collegiate leve. Because of the impact that religion has played on literature and culture over the past several hundred years I believe that comparative religion or history of world religion should be introduced in high school. It would probably be best if clergy did not teach these. Of course they could be invited in as guest lectures.

I think there should be a class called-

"The What-Why-How of Worship'

(or from your list- Philosophy of Religions and Psychology of Religion)

I think it would be interesting to know the motivations of believers

and what holds them to their faith.

Incorporating discussions of the different ideas and practices,

their purpose and intended result.

Not only the established mainstream faiths but also

discussing the beliefs of those who claim to have none.

I think it would be valuable for everyone to recognize

that we all worship something- God, money, family, success, intellect, self, etc.

I think that would be a truly enlightening class.

USA

I like them all. The only thing I insist is that it is an optional class so that it keeps with Separation of Church and State.

United States

I have no problem with people learning about religion in R.S class, it is when they try and make out it is science and should be taught as such.

I find "Theories of Religion" to be a little suspect.

They should all be tought, but not as fact but as a cultural topic

Not if my tax dollars are paying for it. Take that mumbo-jumbo to private school.