Public schools should not teach religion, but they should teach about it. They should not be in the business of inculcating children with religious creeds, tenets, beliefs, or values. But they should inform their students about religions and cultures that they are likely to encounter in their daily lives.
In a world that is increasingly smaller, where the internet, immigration, and international trade bring people from disparate cultures into close contact, it is imperative that we have a solid understanding of different traditions.
Fear, intolerance, bigotry, and hatred thrive in an environment where ignorance reigns. If we fail to equip our students with an understanding and basic knowledge about other cultures and religions, then we fail to prepare them for the future. We fail to give them the tools they will need to interact with peoples from other countries or from minority communities within our society. We fail to help them interact with their neighbors and coworkers with respect and cooperation, rather than prejudice and stereotyping.
Even worse, an uniformed public is far more likely to accept black and white views of foreign cultures and attitudes, to accept foreign policy based upon half-truths and stereotyped portrayals of others. Policy decisions made under those conditions are not likely to be sound or in our best interest. Rather we are likely to see continued conflict and ill-advised wars.
For all these reasons, we must educate our children about the major world religions. At the same time, this education should be undertaken carefully. It belongs in history and social studies classes, not science or civics.
We can teach about creationists, but should not present creationism alongside scientific theories. We can teach values which support a moral, responsible and productive citizenry, but we should present them in secular terms, rather than as Divine Decree. Abstinence can be taught in sex ed class as one of a variety of protections against disease and unwanted pregnancy, but it should not be presented as God’s Law which the children must follow or risk God’s wrath.
That is the parent’s job – to teach their religion to their children. An educational system that respects religion makes it easier for parents to pass their values and beliefs on to their children. Not just the parents of the majority religion, but all parents.
And that is not only fair to all, but in keeping with the First Amendment which prevents the government from establishing a state religion.
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