Teaching of religion worldwide

Discussions regarding education always seem to revolve around the USA. I am curious to know exactly how religion is taught in US public schools, and how it compares to other education systems from around the world.For example, in the UK we have Religious Education classes. In these we are taught about different religions of the world, and their faiths and beliefs are often compared (e.g creation stories). Religion is kept out of the biology classroom.I believe this topic will try and bring an international perspective into these discussions. I have noticed that countries outside the US are never mentioned when the issue of teaching evolution/creationism in schools is raised!This message has been edited by Whirlwind, 10-28-2005 06:34 AM

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

First, you need to realize that in the US, there is no uniform curriculum. What is taught is determined on a state by state, county by county, city by city or even school by school basis.In the US there is an additional issue. Since the majority of the schools are publicly funded, there is NO religious classes or courses at all. Most students get no introduction to any of the worlds religions outside their own particular denomination.We had a thread on this not too long ago. You can read some of the comments here.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

The public schools in Denmark have Chritsianity as an obligatory course from 1st to 10th grade.The official purpose of the course is (in a very fast translation from Danish Christianity is the Danish state religion, and our constitution specically claims that the Lutheran church is to be supported by the state, and that out monarch MUST belong to this church.The education i public school may not be missonary in nature - no preaching by the teacher - but enlightening, by teaching the stories and values inherent in the lutheran faith./Sren Danish Source

University admissions departments must have a really hard time of it then! How come there are no comparative religion courses? I understand that the seperation of church and state is important in the USA, but I wouldn't have thought comparative religion courses would fall under that umbrella as long as they were truly unbiased. Is it that people who ARE religious don't want their children being exposed to "harmful" knowledge from other faiths?

They do. But it's not all total anarchy. There are a couple standardized tests, the SAT and the ACT that set a defacto goal for accomplishment regardless of whether or not there is a uniform curriculum. If you read the link in my former message you'll get a sense of some of the objections. IMHO they boil down to:

• A fear (probably rightly) of proselytizing.
• Economics. Where would the money come from?
• Time. If we add another course we might have to cut something, like atheletics (God Forbid).
• Value. Many people see no value in a Sacred Studies Course.
  

IMHO there is also no valid reason among any of those. We can point to many examples, for instance the UK, where each of those objections have been overcome.I believe the real reason is that the vast majority of Americans, particularly the Fundamentalists and Evangelicals, hold such a weak personal faith that they fear it being challenged or compared to other faiths.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

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How come there are no comparative religion courses?

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Besides the points that jar brought up, there is the problem that a comparative religion class would have to treat all religions equally, and that is sure to raise objections from the religious right.There was a recent problem in some state (Texas?) recently where they did attempt to bring in a "religious studies class", but it was pretty thinly disguised evangelical Christian based "religious studies".

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"Intellectually, scientifically, even artistically, fundamentalism -- biblical literalism -- is a road to nowhere, because it insists on fidelity to revealed truths that are not true." -- Katha Pollitt

Here in the UK the religious education courses aren't particulary great (or they weren't when I was at school around 10 years ago). The teachers were simply drafted in from other subjects as it wasn't a very big course, and I never enjoyed any of them. When it reached year 10 (14-15 year olds) and it was time to pick subjects for GCSE (the ones we are examined in just before we leave school), I think only one person in my school picked RE, out of about 1300 pupils. Obviously the course couldn't go ahead that year. It was compulsory for the first 3 years of secondary school though.

The problem with RME in scotland is that it is now a core subject, which means pupils need to take it for four years. 3rd and 4th year courses are really boring for most kids and as a result the ones who are interested do not get the full lesson time.Brian.

I have lived and worked in many countries and what worries me about the teaching of religion in many countries can be shown by a few examples.In one African country I talked to some female friends and it became clear that they had no idea what their monthly period was. All they knew was that they had it about once a month and nothing more. They sat there listening intently as I explained the formation of the egg, fertilization and preparation of the womb for the egg etc.Now these same women are very religious. They are 100 % certain that god exists etc etc. How is it possible for a person to be so lacking in basic education to be sure that god exists?Another friend of mine who was classed as a company driver had no idea of how a car works. Yet again he was very religious.How can such people on the one hand be lacking in basic education, yet feel they can comment on such a deep philosphical subject as the existence of god.I discussed this with them and basically they believe in god because that is what they were taught and they would like god to exist because lets face it they are poor and uneducated and don't have much else going for them.I think a good, broad education is the key to allowing people to think for themselves regarding the existence of god, evolution etc.
You have to know a certain amount to know what you don't know.Fortunately I was educated in the UK ( some time ago mind you )and although much has been said about the education system in the UK, it was broad ranging and gave me the knowledge to be able to think for myself in areas such as god, creation and evolution.

In Israel, bible class is mandatory (from 2nd grade to the 12th grade), if you dont pass you cant get your high school diploma and, consequently, cant get a higher education. It almost stopped me.
We also learn about greek/roman (I dont remember) mythology, islam (a little) and christianity (a little).
I have never seen the science classes affected by religion in Israel.

The specific case you may be referring to is the one in Odessa, TX, some 60 miles down the interstate from here. For more information: shortened linkYes, the problem is that the class is more about converting the students to the fundamentalist viewpoint instead of presenting a non-sectarian learning experience.I'm not sure that a truly neutral class in comparative religion prior to college is even possible here. It will either be considered a threat to the personal inerrency assumed by the fundamentalists, or sheer high pressure propaganda to convert by everyone else.ABE - sorry about the wide margins caused by the NYT linkEdited by anglagard, : marginsEdited by AdminJar, : No reason given.

With the misogyny (mysophobia?) that wanders through the books of the Big Three religions of the West, is it any wonder basic functions get a miss?

I live in Texas and we covered "comparative relgion" (if you could call it that) my senior year in World History in high school. This coverage only lasted 1 class period and was not tested over. My teacher did not seem to have any personal bias on one religon, but I wish it was covered more so. At the University level of course you can study basically whatever you want which is great.I think that they do fear that placing other religions on equal footing does make Christianity equal and "puts minds at risk" which is a horriably sad way to think.Teaching world religon has many positive effects, probably people would be more aware and educated about what is going on all over the world. I know I wish I was educated about all this at a young age.

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- "Only two things in life are infinate, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not so sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

Me, too. I am becoming more and more discriminating about the sources whom attempt to teach comparitive religions, though.As a Christian, much of my belief is faith based, rather than historically based.It becomes a challenge to remain true to the teachings and yet remain true to the facts.For example, Jesus rising from the Dead:Is that a fact about Christian Belief or is that an aspect of the faith?Some would argue that without a resurrection, you dont have Christianity.