Should schools teach classes about religion?

[Sol]

By classes on religion I mean classes about religion, which point out differences between sects, etc.

Yes for me.

BTW, if the mods think this would be more appropriate in individual politics or elsewhere, please move!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Of course.  Even if you don't have a religion, its impact on society and world history is indispensable.

[Deus Naturae]

If a school has the money and is willing, that sounds like a useful class. Obviously it's not the best idea for every school.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     It would make sense to talk about religion as a history/social studies type of class somewhere in the middle/high school years. A proper understanding of religion and its role in society is useful in understanding culture and politics in many different parts of the world.

[H. Ross Peron]

Yes of course. I find it strange that many educated people often lack knowledge of basic Christian theology such as the differences between Catholicism and Protestant doctrine.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Yes of course. I find it strange that many educated people often lack knowledge of basic Christian theology such as the differences between Catholicism and Protestant doctrine.

It's not as if there is any tenet uniting Protestantism beyond the Pope is not the infallible leader of the Church on this Earth.  Maybe a general agreement to use the Masoretic OT canon instead of the Septuagint OT canon, which is odd since the NT quotes the Septuagint in several places where it disagrees with the Masoretic.

[John Dibble]

At the very least there should be a class in high school that teaches students about all the major world religions, their major sects, and their histories.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

At the very least there should be a class in high school that teaches students about all the major world religions, their major sects, and their histories.

Hate to empty quote.

[tik 🪀✨]

Definitely, if it's not picking winners and losers. I remember at my Christian school taking a class on other religions. It was one of the more interesting cases. Though, it was called "Cults Class" and a major section of each religion we discussed was "This is inferior to Protestantism because..."

[dead0man]

I was under the impression most "normal" High Schools did have a class or two on "Religions of the World".  Am I wrong?

[afleitch]

Yes.  But I don't trust American schools in executing the idea because religion means just Christianity right?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Yes.  But I don't trust American schools in executing the idea because religion means just Christianity right?

Don't forget the unrepentant Joos and the pagan Muslims!

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Yes.  But I don't trust American schools in executing the idea because religion means just Christianity right?

I can see how for some schools that might be the case, but it wasn't for my high school religion class.

[DemPGH]

From an archaeological / historical perspective, absolutely. And it should include myth-making and so on, definitions of religion, and so on. Interesting field of study, actually.

From a didactic perspective, absolutely not.

[Redalgo]

At the very least there should be a class in high school that teaches students about all the major world religions, their major sects, and their histories.

If in addition to agnosticism, atheism, and the views of the area's indigenous peoples I suppose it would be a good idea. Given the composition of many school boards, state legislatures, and so on however I fully expect that a mandated class on world religion would in practice become one about Protestant Christianity while treating alternatives in lectures and discussions as mythology.

[Cassius]

Of course. Although when I say religion I really mean Catholicism.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Of course. Although when I say religion I really mean Catholicism.

It truly must be sad to live in your poor, sheltered little world.  I wonder, does it ever get lonely in that box of yours?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

Yes.  But I don't trust American schools in executing the idea because religion means just Christianity right?

I can see how for some schools that might be the case, but it wasn't for my high school religion class.

Same, and I went to a Catholic school. It seemed strange, but we did have a "World Religions" class that, when done by the book--which I think it was--covered the major religions equally.

[PJ]

Yes, as long as its societal impact and influence, not adherence to a certain religion, as others have previously stated. I'm not sure if new classes should be required for it though. It could fit into basic history courses quite well, with an extracurricular focusing on religion.

[Frodo]

Only the most militant atheist/secularist would oppose this. 

[TJ in Oregon]

I went to a public school, and while we didn't have a separate class dedicated to world religions, we did units several years learning the differences between the major ones, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. We also covered the Reformation in history class. It gave me an excuse to argue with all the Lutherans to general amusement of those standing by.

I do think kids need to be aware of the existence of religious beliefs and how they shape world cultures, though I don't necessarily think it needs to be a separate class.

Same, and I went to a Catholic school. It seemed strange, but we did have a "World Religions" class that, when done by the book--which I think it was--covered the major religions equally.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I went to a public school, and while we didn't have a separate class dedicated to world religions, we did units several years learning the differences between the major ones, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. We also covered the Reformation in history class. It gave me an excuse to argue with all the Lutherans to general amusement of those standing by.

I do think kids need to be aware of the existence of religious beliefs and how they shape world cultures, though I don't necessarily think it needs to be a separate class.

Same, and I went to a Catholic school. It seemed strange, but we did have a "World Religions" class that, when done by the book--which I think it was--covered the major religions equally.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...

What were the arguments about?

[Antonio the Sixth]

Define "about religion". Of course any decent history, sociology or philosophy classes can't avoid discussing religions and their impact. If you're talking about some Sunday School kind of thing, then absolutely not (in public schools at least).

[Filuwaúrdjan]

It really ought to be no more controversial than teaching History (which, after all, is the most political of subjects and is therefore a reliable controversy magnet in certain countries, mine included). Obviously you don't want taught from an especially biased viewpoint (of either variety; 'this is the true faith', 'this is a load of nonsense', etc) but that's not actually hard to avoid.

[ElectionsGuy]

Of course.  Even if you don't have a religion, its impact on society and world history is indispensable.