Religion in School

What kind of school does your child go to? I think if you send them to a Christian school then you shouldn't be surprised that they are teaching them Christian values.

_Public_ schools should NEVER teach any one religion as being the true religion. They might have religion classes, but as general classes, talking about most major religions and their characteristics. Not mixing teaching with religious indocrination. That said, if parents want to send their child to a private school that will also indocrinate their children in their chosen religion, I can't really criticize that. Regardless of me not agreeing with them, nor wishing to do the same myself, that's their right to decide.

It will be good for children to learn and understand different religions of the world. They may not be able to understand the deeper aspects but it will help them to have an awareness of the existence of so many religions and why people believe. If the parents are devout Christians, then it will be a good idea to send their children to schools with strong christian foundation and are actually teaching the Bible and a strong belief in God. Growing up in today's world is full of challenges, the ever changing issues in morality and ethics, political and religious concers etc. It will be good for children to have a good strong moral foundation in their formative years before they can make decisions for themselves and face the world on their own in the future.

Personally, I'd rather religion and school be kept separate. I know I felt pretty alienated in school whenever religion was being taught or talked about, because I was a different religion from the other students. Here in the US, we aren't supposed to teach religion in public schools, but it still does sometime happen, and when I was a child, it happened often in the place where I grew up. I feel that if you want to send your child to a religious school, you should have that option, but that shouldn't be the only option available. Parents should be able to control what kids hear about religion. I wouldn't want my kid to go to a school where Christianity was taught and hear that MY religion is evil, or any number of other things that are unfair representations. When my son learns about Christianity, I want it to be from my husband, who is Christian, but also respects other people's religious beliefs, and focuses on the positive aspects of the religion rather than the negative ones.

I think it should be up to the parents to choose. I prefer that they have values education over religious education. But so far I am sending my eldest child to Catholic school because the curriculum there is strong in values education.

I do not think school should teach the children what is right or not when it comes to religion. I do not have a problem with school teaching the kids ABOUT the different religions in the world, and about what different people believe is true. I strongly object to school teaching kids that christianity is the right religion. I feel this is way out of line. Is there not freedom of religion?

I think that if they teach one they should teach all religions.. I don't think studying one religion over the other will set right with the majority of parents..For the sake of peace all or none should be the policy

We have two types of schools: religious and non-religious based. Most christian schools accept children from different religions and we have but a few muslem or orthodox jewish schools. We sent our children to a non-religious based school.

If it is a religious school, they should not be teaching religion, morals and ethics is fine. Ot maybe a comparaive religion class to the upper grades. If they go to a school with a religious affiliation I would expect that religious training would be included.

I spent my elementary, highschool and college years in a Catholic school. And I don't think there's something wrong with it. I have had several Muslim and other Non-Catholic Christian classmates. When it's time for our religion subjects, I've not experienced even one of them who stood up and debated with our faith. In fact, they just listeed and participated in the discussions. Since everyone of us is obliged to attend the general Holy Mass in school, they would also come just to show respect. I remember I have asked one of my Muslim friends about what she feels and what are her thoughts about the Catholic teachings. She was honest that there are some teachings which are contrary to their belief. But she doesn't mind that. She understood that since she studied in a Catholic school, she have to pay respect on the catholic beliefs and teachings. Yet her faith to Allah remained constant and never changed. Hence, Faith would only depend on the person. Religion subjects are just there to guide children so that they will have an idea who their God is and eventually trust in their own God and have a closer relationship with HIM. :)

I don't think teaching religion in school is wrong as long as the child is given his/her space and gets to choose what he or she thinks is right ,when he/she reaches that age.It's good to have faith and it's equally necessary to have an open mind.

First of all, I think there should be separate religion schools. I don't stand for teaching religion in all schools. I'm not religious, but I do believe in God. Still I think it's the right of every person to choose whether to study religion or not.

I don't think that schools should. I think religion and education should be separate. in non religious schools in the UK it is still compulsory for a certain amount of group assembly and that it should be broadly Christian. I remember being SMACKED at school by a teacher for not bowing my head when everyone was made to pray. I wasn't being disruptive, just stayed sitting how I was. to this day, that still angers me. no school, even a religious one, in my opinion should be able to force a child to pray. I don't beleive any religion should be taught as a definite fact. you go to school to learn maths and spelling, and then they're telling you about jesus as if it's just as factually true. yes, to some people it is, but there's no proof it's definitely true, so it should be taught as a possible truth, alongside other possible truths. everyone should be free to make up their own mind when presented with the facts.

I think that children should be educated in the various religions. If they have no foundation to base a decision on how can they choose for themselves when they are older. I think this teaching should be primarily the bibles teachings. I had to teach my son about the full christmas story as he did not know it yet the school has taught him all about divali and chinese religion! That I think is wrong.