Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Charlatan
Pan, my take on why something like that can't happen is simply because Religion has been increasingly politicized.
The evangelicals have pushed very hard to see that their agendas are front and centre. They make no bones that they would like a strong religious element in the classroom.
The thing is, the West is a changing place. Not only are there increasing numbers of those who are in minority religions but those minorities, thanks to the civil rights movement, have realized that they have a voice and a say.
I go back to the idea of a Tyranny of the Majority. Just because a majority wants something does not mean it is the right thing or won't make things difficult for a minority.
The question of trying to strike a balance is important but so is drawing a line in the sand and saying, no.
To my eyes, inviting religion into a public school as part of the curriculum is asking for a large can of worms to be opened. A survey course is even problematic, though not impossible to implement.
I suppose we could go back to a pre-civil rights era and just let the minorities live with what the majority wants but I don't think you would agree that that is necessarily a good thing.
|
Oh and I agree. I think just by the attitudes shown here by Atheists, any type of a world religion study in school would be impossible to get. The Atheists would have their say, the Radical Christian Right theirs and so on. Everyone would want their views and would want to dispel the views of the others.
Sad really, when you think about it. Life is supposed to be a journey, (whether to another realm, a heaven, another life, or just for your own education in this life) and as a journey, it is easier to travel with many so that when you need help someone is there, when you want to share a smile, a laugh or a cry someone is there.... and yet, people want this journey to be only on their terms and their ways.
So in the end, even though we in someway influence everyone else's life.... we end up very alone because we refuse to allow ourselves to learn from each other, because we work so hard to believe ours is the only way, in religion, politics, you name it.
That made sense as I typed it..... hope it makes sense to those reading it.
BTW, I wouldn't look at it as a tyranny of the majority if all religions were to be taught as equals and those not wishing to participate were not forced to. I would view that community as very progressive and wanting truly the best for their kids. But it won't ever happen so .......