I think Religion and Philosophy courses should be mandatory in High School

I certaintly wouldn't be opposed to it. People could stand to learn a thing or two about Philosophy and religion as both have formed (like it or not) the world around us.

I actually agree on this point, thosugh I'm a strong separation of church and state believer. Students should be enouraged to think and maked decisions on their own, and they can only do that when presented with all sides. Science should be used as a counter point to religion and philosophy, to show different ways of thinking.

tl;dr

but nah. Don't think so. Should be like three subjects. Physics, Math & History. The rest of the subjects can go to hell.

one of these days i'm gonna read the bible from start to finish. something i've always wanted to do.ZumaJones07

I tried once. I couldn't get through Numbers. It put me to sleep each time.

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

toast_burner

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

themajormayor

I kinda agree but to a point. I think they should teach about different religions in schools, but not force one onto the students. It would be mandatory as it is important to learn about different views in the world, it expands it.

That would make people less bigoted and judgmental towards different religions because they woudl better understand them. However I have nothing against an optional class that teaches children about their particular religion.

For instance they could offer a Christian Studies or a Jewish Studies ect...type classes for those of that particular faith. Of course it would optional and definately NOT mandatory.

tl;dr

but nah. Don't think so. Should be like three subjects. Physics, Math & History. The rest of the subjects can go to hell.

themajormayor

No.

I had a month or so in history going over the history and historically relevant basics of each major religion. I don't care to need to know more.

I kinda agree but to a point. I think they should teach about different religions in schools, but not force one onto the students. It would be mandatory as it is important to learn about different views in the world, it expands it.

That would make people less bigoted and judgmental towards different religions because they woudl better understand them. However I have nothing against an optional class that teaches children about their particular religion.

For instance they could offer a Christian Studies or a Jewish Studies ect...type classes for those of that particular faith. Of course it would optional and definately NOT mandatory.

ShadowMoses900

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

toast_burner

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

[QUOTE="themajormayor"] What why?themajormayor

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

[QUOTE="themajormayor"] What why?themajormayor

That was a bit of an exaggeration, but it's because the two biggest religions are Christianity and Islam. Pretty much everyone is well educated about Christianity (it is the official religion of the country after all) so I guess they feel learning about Islam is more important. Personally I think all religions should get equal time, but due to the amount of religions there are it would be impossible to do so, therefore they should just not teach it.

no, religion should never be mandatory anywhere, especially in schools. School is to teach what is needed in life and religion is not needed. Maybe offer classes on religion in college so if you wanna know about it you have the option to take those classes but religion should never be forced on anyone.

I could definitely get behind this idea, provided that the teachers involved in instructing the courses are well-versed in the respective subjects and are impartial in their approach. The reason why I bring this up is because I don't know how stringent the requirements are to become a high school teacher in this kind of field as opposed to teaching at the university level, and with these subjects I think it'd be easy to have the material be skewed in favor of the teacher's views compared to other subjects. But assuming none of that's an issue, I'd be all for it.

I'd also add that a mandatory formal logic course would be great for improving test scores as well, since it helps a lot with parsing prompts for writing assignments and short questions, and covering things like inductive and deductive reasoning would also greatly benefit students.

no, religion should never be mandatory anywhere, especially in schools. School is to teach what is needed in life and religion is not needed. Maybe offer classes on religion in college so if you wanna know about it you have the option to take those classes but religion should never be forced on anyone.

JayQproductions

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="toast_burner"]Because apparently learning about some stories in an old book is more important than learning how to count.

Maor-Teo

AAAAAAAAAAA

That was a bit of an exaggeration, but it's because the two biggest religions are Christianity and Islam. Pretty much everyone is well educated about Christianity (it is the official religion of the country after all) so I guess they feel learning about Islam is more important. Personally I think all religions should get equal time, but due to the amount of religions there are it would be impossible to do so, therefore they should just not teach it.

toast_burner

I have to dissagree. Since Christinaity has been integral to the history of Britain its good to learn about it and see how the society around us has been shaped by it.

[QUOTE="ShadowMoses900"]

I kinda agree but to a point. I think they should teach about different religions in schools, but not force one onto the students. It would be mandatory as it is important to learn about different views in the world, it expands it.

That would make people less bigoted and judgmental towards different religions because they woudl better understand them. However I have nothing against an optional class that teaches children about their particular religion.

For instance they could offer a Christian Studies or a Jewish Studies ect...type classes for those of that particular faith. Of course it would optional and definately NOT mandatory.

toast_burner

It wouldn't be mandatory like I said. Just an option presented for those students who wish to practice it. I believe in giving people options, it tends to make parents more happy because they get more vairety to choose from and promotes tolerance for all students.

I am 100% against them forcing Christina teachings (or any other religious teachings) on students. But I don't see the problem with letting some students have the option available to learn more about their particular faith. As long as it's offered just as an option and not mandatory.

Comparative religious studies would be okay (had it in my school, was fairly interesting), but comparing religion and science in a cIass is grounds for all kinds of venom spewing.

Comparative religious studies would be okay (had it in my school, was fairly interesting), but comparing religion and science in a cIass is grounds for all kinds of venom spewing.

THE_DRUGGIE

[QUOTE="ZumaJones07"]one of these days i'm gonna read the bible from start to finish. something i've always wanted to do.jimkabrhel

I tried once. I couldn't get through Numbers. It put me to sleep each time.

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

That was a bit of an exaggeration, but it's because the two biggest religions are Christianity and Islam. Pretty much everyone is well educated about Christianity (it is the official religion of the country after all) so I guess they feel learning about Islam is more important. Personally I think all religions should get equal time, but due to the amount of religions there are it would be impossible to do so, therefore they should just not teach it.

Philokalia

I have to dissagree. Since Christinaity has been integral to the history of Britain its good to learn about it and see how the society around us has been shaped by it.

Beside Christianity is no longer important anymore, the country is mostly atheist.

[QUOTE="THE_DRUGGIE"]

Comparative religious studies would be okay (had it in my school, was fairly interesting), but comparing religion and science in a cIass is grounds for all kinds of venom spewing.

Maor-Teo

And that's perfectly fine.

When I was in HS, the cIass compared Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Greek/Roman religions, Native American religions, Norse religions, and a lot of other stuff. The point was finding similarities and differences in norms they imposed and what their themes were. No favoritism, just a secular way at examining many different religions.

NOW, if someone wanted to inject creationism into a science cIass, then that would be pitting pseudoscience against hard science. The way you proposed, soft science as a way to understand the intentions and workings of pseudoscience, is good.

So basically, soft sciences act as a mediator between pseudosciences and hard sciences when anting to create an academic enviornment that is not prone to being disruptive or causing controversy.

High school has a strict curriculum that they need to get you through and not a lot of time to do it. They are trying to scratch the surface of a lot of different concepts while never going too deep. The mandatory curriculum only has so much room. Once you get into college is when you start to get electives and classes with a little more depth to them, as well as more selection. There are some highschools that offer a choice of classes and I know that philosophy is an elective option in a lot of highschools now. I think you would be hard pressed to find any public school doing a mandatory religious studies course. It would be a bit strange for a secular country's public education to make religious studies mandatory. However, as an elective I don't see why not. There is always private school for you TC.

[QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

themajormayor

Since when?:? I never had to do it.

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

Postmortem123

Since when?:? I never had to do it.

I kinda agree but to a point. I think they should teach about different religions in schools, but not force one onto the students. It would be mandatory as it is important to learn about different views in the world, it expands it.

That would make people less bigoted and judgmental towards different religions because they woudl better understand them. However I have nothing against an optional class that teaches children about their particular religion.

For instance they could offer a Christian Studies or a Jewish Studies ect...type classes for those of that particular faith. Of course it would optional and definately NOT mandatory.

ShadowMoses900

Let me explain my reasoning. Philosophy- It has been my experience that people(including myself) simply do not have adequate reasoning and critical thinking skills. Many articles of research confirm this unfortunate happening in various IQ testing, along with other various forms of testing. The United States performs generally low when it comes to these kinds of tests. "American" youth are falling behind the international standard due to poor skills in analyzing issues and using critical thinking skills to solve said problems. Not to mention many people do not give much thought on the reason for their existence and what it means to be alive. They are becoming labor-bots who rarely think about some very important things in life. A lot of people will miss out on the beauty of Philosophy due to misconception, lack of opportunity, and carelessness. -------------------------- Religion- The misconceptions are very strong with this field of the social strata. People are very ignorant about the beliefs they profess as well as those they attack. While the experience may be subjective, it has been my experience that there is a great deal of misunderstandings between the religious(sometimes even between themselves) and the non-religious. Many sides simply do not understand each other and there is a great deal of ignorance to be found. Religion should be examined from a purely anthropological way that seeks to explain the origins, doctrine, and influence of major world religions in order to better criticize public and personal beliefs to build a more tolerant and knowledgeable society. This may very well help with the Creationism vs. Evolution debate classroom debate as well. What do you think?Maor-Teo

Shut up.

[QUOTE="Postmortem123"]

[QUOTE="themajormayor"] What why?toast_burner

Since when?:? I never had to do it.

Yeah I just realised I did it in Year 7, before we got our choice of subjects ^_^

I was probably asleep through most of the lessons.

[QUOTE="JayQproductions"]

no, religion should never be mandatory anywhere, especially in schools. School is to teach what is needed in life and religion is not needed. Maybe offer classes on religion in college so if you wanna know about it you have the option to take those classes but religion should never be forced on anyone.

Maor-Teo

actually I did, I just don't believe religion should be in schools in any way shape or form, even if it is "understanding" religion and where it came from, what their beliefs are, etc... Like I said, maybe college classes that people can choose to take when they are old enough to think for themselves and if they want to take that class, but nothing having to do with religion should be mandatory.

my school required philosophy in 11th grade. i think it should be pushed more.

BUT here's your reason why kids are sinking. i believe it's the bill "no child left behind" every school is required to follow strict learning paths and CANT/don't have time to go off the beaten path. If they do they don't go far. Then you not those stupid test that every child has pass and MAN what a joke. i passed all the crap on first try and i am not that great school.

religion WTF is wrong you? religion causes so much evil in this world it isn't even funny. i just want it disappear. NO TRACE

religion WTF is wrong you? religion causes so much evil in this world it isn't even funny. i just want it disappear. NO TRACE

k2theswiss

[QUOTE="Maor-Teo"][QUOTE="JayQproductions"]

no, religion should never be mandatory anywhere, especially in schools. School is to teach what is needed in life and religion is not needed. Maybe offer classes on religion in college so if you wanna know about it you have the option to take those classes but religion should never be forced on anyone.

JayQproductions

actually I did, I just don't believe religion should be in schools in any way shape or form, even if it is "understanding" religion and where it came from, what their beliefs are, etc... Like I said, maybe college classes that people can choose to take when they are old enough to think for themselves and if they want to take that class, but nothing having to do with religion should be mandatory.

[QUOTE="k2theswiss"]

religion WTF is wrong you? religion causes so much evil in this world it isn't even funny. i just want it disappear. NO TRACE

whipmt

Indeed, he is forgetting about people who's religion inspired them to make the world a better place. MLK Jr for instance was a very religious man and a preacher.

I wonder if how he would feel if someone said to him "Religion is for stupid people, it's evil and I want it to be erased from existence".

It just makes atheists look like **** holes when they say that crap.

[QUOTE="JayQproductions"]

[QUOTE="Maor-Teo"] You didn't read my post :(Maor-Teo

actually I did, I just don't believe religion should be in schools in any way shape or form, even if it is "understanding" religion and where it came from, what their beliefs are, etc... Like I said, maybe college classes that people can choose to take when they are old enough to think for themselves and if they want to take that class, but nothing having to do with religion should be mandatory.

I don't believe religion should have a place anywhere but in ones own home, what you believe is your buisness just don't try to push it on anyone else or try to use it as leverage.

[QUOTE="Maor-Teo"][QUOTE="JayQproductions"]

actually I did, I just don't believe religion should be in schools in any way shape or form, even if it is "understanding" religion and where it came from, what their beliefs are, etc... Like I said, maybe college classes that people can choose to take when they are old enough to think for themselves and if they want to take that class, but nothing having to do with religion should be mandatory.

JayQproductions

I don't believe religion should have a place anywhere but in ones own home, what you believe is your buisness just don't try to push it on anyone else or try to use it as leverage.

[QUOTE="themajormayor"][QUOTE="toast_burner"]

Religious studies is mandatory in the UK. From what I remember 95% of it was about Islam.

toast_burner