Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlatan
Pan, I sense that you are passionate about this subject but you appear to be jumping to conclusions that are not there.
If you read back somewhere either in this thread or in other threads like this, I have always advocated for sociology course that surveys World religions. I think there isn't enough sociology, philosophy and anthropology taught in public schools. As pig points out though, the curriculum would require a severe overhaul to introduce these new subjects. Not only would it require new textbooks, but it would also require new teachers (or new training for existing teachers).
The other question raised is will Christian parents (or parents of any faith) be willing to put up with this? Will they be OK with a) a course that looks at religion in this manner and b) gives equal weight to other religions.
Somehow, I don't think this is what they are looking for.
As for prayer in school, I think you will find that I agree with you that prayer in school is acceptable. I even suggested a multi-denominational prayer room could be built (if the community wishes to fund such a venture). The issue is when you take tax dollars in a public school system and advocate a mandatory prayer (i.e. state run prayer).
I am hardly a fundamentalist about things. I have simple requirements. No state sponsored prayer in schools. And no religious teaching in state run schools. The West prides itself on a plurality of points of view. Why would be turn back the clocks of progress to impose only one?
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See, with you there is true compromise, I don't see it with others on here.
I don't advocate a mandatory prayer, but I see nothing wrong with "moments of silence."
I can also agree with a multi-religious room where the schools can have books on world religions for students to peruse. And yes, if the majority voted for it then it should be funded through separate funds.
I don't see you and I differing so much that a compromise would not be reached swiftly, in our little perfect world.
BTW, I agree getting Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc. parents to compromise also maybe another task.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
"... but of course, religion is poison. It has two great defects: It undermines the race ...(and) retards the progress of the country. Tibet and Mongolia have both been poisoned by it."
-Mao Zedong I believe extremism in atheism exists when it wants to eradication theism. More commonly, we may see this when the religious find it increasingly difficult to abide by their beliefs. We must strike a balance to allow us all to practice what we believe in, so long as it isn't harmful to others.
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And that is what I am saying. How is getting schools to allow prayer and the ability to teach world religions, including atheism equally and unbiasedly using leaders from the area churches, synagogues, temples, etc, ... harmful to anyone?
Yet some here, would not want to allow even that.
It's like creationism versus evolution versus whatever else explains our beginnings. Why not allow the sides to be presented in school without bias or judgment and allow the kids to decide for themselves?
Why does it have to be 1 or none?