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THE QUESTION
Religion in schools
Should teaching about religion be mandatory in public schools? In colleges and universities?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on March 7, 2007 6:29 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Can I Design the Lesson Plan on Wiccan?
There’s no better way to get kids to hate religion than to make it a mandatory subject in school
Posted by Starhawk, on March 11, 2007 10:51 AM
Religion in Classroom Doesn't Help Pews
The question for the UK is whether teaching religion in schools has helped keep the population faithful. The answer is no.
Posted by Julia Neuberger, on March 11, 2007 9:06 AM
Religion Should Be Learned, Not Required
If religion is lifted out of its context as one element in every social and cultural system, it almost inevitably turns sectarian.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on March 11, 2007 8:39 AM
Another Amen For Religious Literacy
Those on the crazy right will say that only their religion can be taught in the public schools. Those on the crazy left will say that no religion is too much.
Posted by Stephen Prothero, on March 10, 2007 12:18 AM
Protect Religious Liberty
The complications of mandatory teaching about religion in our schools are beyond imagining.
Posted by James Anderson, on March 9, 2007 9:08 AM
Teach religion in schools, but don't indoctrinate
There is a need to give children at least some basic and true notions about religion.
Posted by Adin Steinsaltz, on March 9, 2007 8:54 AM
Religious Literacy and the Educated Person Today
This is one instance in which it is better to do nothing than to do it badly.
Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on March 9, 2007 7:27 AM
Teach About Religion Through Shared Values
Serving others is a value that all religions share.
Posted by Eboo Patel, on March 8, 2007 12:39 PM
Religion a Fit Subject for Mind and Soul
Yes, emphatically! We should teach comparative religion in public middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities....
Posted by Elaine Pagels, on March 8, 2007 10:58 AM
Education Without Study of Religion Is Incomplete
To exclude teaching about the history of the great religions of the world is to deny people an understanding of current events.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on March 8, 2007 9:42 AM
Teach Our Children Well
There are plenty of checks and balances available to prevent religions from censoring shameful but undeniable truths on the one hand, and to prevent religions from ganging up to vilify minority religions on the other hand.
Posted by Daniel C. Dennett, on March 8, 2007 8:38 AM
Teach the Classics in All Fields
I don't see how teaching religion can be mandatory in universities. By then people specialize and many would be unlikely to sign on for a course which included a compulsory element in religion....
Posted by Nicholas T. Wright, on March 8, 2007 7:39 AM
The Only Sensible Response
My answer to this question is in a word: NO....
Posted by Mark S. Sisk, on March 7, 2007 12:40 PM
Don’t Teach Religion, Teach About Religion
An educational system that respects religion makes it easier for parent’s to pass their values and beliefs on to their children.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on March 7, 2007 10:19 AM
Know-Nothing Nation: Flunking Religion Too
Knowledge fosters skepticism about faith--and I believe that our country needs much more skepticism and much less faith.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on March 7, 2007 9:15 AM
Religion: The Fourth 'R' in Education
With religion at the heart of much that is good and evil in our world, it is critical that students learn about the various and many faiths that motivate people.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on March 7, 2007 8:22 AM
Learn About Other Faiths? Yes. Mandatory? NO!
Teaching religion sounds simple. It isn’t.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on March 7, 2007 7:24 AM
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