Irokesengranate
New Member
Hi everyone,
First of all and to avoid confusion: I,´m an atheist and do not for a second believe in any religion that I,´m currently aware of.
And of course I,´m against indoctrinating children by teaching religion as truth in schools. But I think it IS important that children learn about religions in school, learn, what stories they tell, which statements they make. Because it is in fact possible to have religion as a subject in school without indoctrinating.
I,´m on a Danish school in the very north of Germany. I do not know, how religion is handled on regular German schools, but the Danish ones follow a (IMO) very interesting concept, even though I,´m not entirely sure, if there was ever a concious decision about it.
In the very first years of school, Danish students will not learn a lot about Adam and Eve, Moses, Jesus etc., but about Odin, Thor, Freya and Heimdall, in short: The Norse mythology. This is because most Danes are proud of their history and this religion is a part of that history. Later, of course, students learn a whole lot about christianity, but not exclusively, other religions like Islam are presented too.
But I deem the teaching of the Norse mythology the most important. Not because I think it is true or even desireable (though some of its gods are a lot more awesome than Yaweh). But teaching it has two important effects on children:
1) They get used to the concept that christianity is not the only religion out there, but that there instead are many, often contradicting each other. That way they are less likely to think of (for example their parents,´) religion, that it 'must be right, because it,´s the ONE TRUTH'
2) The faith in Odin, Thor etc. is practically exinct. Some movements exist, certain bands play 'Pagan Metal' with lyrics about the old gods, but it is not a factor in everyday life. This gives children an opportunity to look at a religion as what it really is: A bunch of ridiculous stories and questionable morals. The students can examine it without the emotional component that comes into play when a christian teacher lectures on christianity. Sooner or later, the students themselves come to the conclusion that it is in fact INCORRECT, thereby realizing that religions can be untrue and that other religions in their everyday life might be just as incorrect and false.
What I,´m trying to say is, teaching religion in school is not the same thing as indoctrinating children. One can be done without the other.So the next time you hear about religion in school, try to not instantly throw up. Listen what exactly is going on. If it,´s praying in class: Go ahead and be disgusted. But if it,´s teaching of what religion is, calm down. Religion is a part of our society and children need to learn about it.
So much for my opinion, what,´s yours?
First of all and to avoid confusion: I,´m an atheist and do not for a second believe in any religion that I,´m currently aware of.
And of course I,´m against indoctrinating children by teaching religion as truth in schools. But I think it IS important that children learn about religions in school, learn, what stories they tell, which statements they make. Because it is in fact possible to have religion as a subject in school without indoctrinating.
I,´m on a Danish school in the very north of Germany. I do not know, how religion is handled on regular German schools, but the Danish ones follow a (IMO) very interesting concept, even though I,´m not entirely sure, if there was ever a concious decision about it.
In the very first years of school, Danish students will not learn a lot about Adam and Eve, Moses, Jesus etc., but about Odin, Thor, Freya and Heimdall, in short: The Norse mythology. This is because most Danes are proud of their history and this religion is a part of that history. Later, of course, students learn a whole lot about christianity, but not exclusively, other religions like Islam are presented too.
But I deem the teaching of the Norse mythology the most important. Not because I think it is true or even desireable (though some of its gods are a lot more awesome than Yaweh). But teaching it has two important effects on children:
1) They get used to the concept that christianity is not the only religion out there, but that there instead are many, often contradicting each other. That way they are less likely to think of (for example their parents,´) religion, that it 'must be right, because it,´s the ONE TRUTH'
2) The faith in Odin, Thor etc. is practically exinct. Some movements exist, certain bands play 'Pagan Metal' with lyrics about the old gods, but it is not a factor in everyday life. This gives children an opportunity to look at a religion as what it really is: A bunch of ridiculous stories and questionable morals. The students can examine it without the emotional component that comes into play when a christian teacher lectures on christianity. Sooner or later, the students themselves come to the conclusion that it is in fact INCORRECT, thereby realizing that religions can be untrue and that other religions in their everyday life might be just as incorrect and false.
What I,´m trying to say is, teaching religion in school is not the same thing as indoctrinating children. One can be done without the other.So the next time you hear about religion in school, try to not instantly throw up. Listen what exactly is going on. If it,´s praying in class: Go ahead and be disgusted. But if it,´s teaching of what religion is, calm down. Religion is a part of our society and children need to learn about it.
So much for my opinion, what,´s yours?