Bible in schools
Interesting story in the UK today; Richard Dawkins approves of government plan to put Bible in all state schools.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/may/19/richard-dawkins-backs-free-bible
Prompted two thoughts. One is that there's a lot of complaints from christian groups here that they are persecuted by militant secularists, and this shows that atheism is essentially a tolerant outlook on life.
Two is that it's perfectly right for kids to learn about religions, as opposed to being indoctrinate. I agree with Dawkins on this, and say all schools should also have the Torah, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, etc ... although I would stop short on the works of Alistair Crowley.
Wintershade3001
why stop short on Alesteir Crowley? how is his work any worse (or better) than any other religion or cult?
May 20, 2012
diggerbanks
I agree too. Denying access to The Bible is surely censorship of a large part of our history and heritage?
May 20, 2012
Mark Say
I don't think most UK schools actually deny access to the bible - except for the few run by other faith groups - and suspect that most would have a few copies in their libraries. Maybe a few don't have them because they have spent money on other things. I think kids should be taught what's in the Bible on the basis of 'This is what's behind one of the world's major religions. Make up your own minds.' As with the other major faith books. Don't think they should be taught them on the basis 'This is the truth'.
May 20, 2012
Terence Vermont
I think if every kid was taught about all of these books they would see how foolish it is to believe in any of it bcuz they r so divided i mean if i knew about other books growing up i would question well, wut if this religion is right, its kind of a lose lose bcuz no one knows.
May 20, 2012
Reg The Fronkey Farmer
Dan Dennett has spoken about teaching the “4 R’s” in schools. The fourth one being religions – all of them. If children could learn the concepts and histories of all world religions they would be more tolerant as adults. Of course they would also be better able to think critically about them as they would not be indoctrinated into believing that only one of them was correct.
May 20, 2012
Michael
The (private, religious) primary school I went to did in fact teach multiple religious mythologies -Greek, Hebrew (i.e. the Old Testament), Hindu, Norse, and that did indeed help to see them all for what they were: stories, often interesting, but no more. Incidentally, Hebrew mythology is the most violent by far, even trumping Norse. Of course that may not be surprising.
May 20, 2012
Heather Spoonheim
I think the bible should be age restricted - there is a lot of content in there that is inappropriate for young children; in particular - Romans Chapter 1.
May 20, 2012
Zac Kimmer
I think it would be very hard to write the bible out of school just because how important it is in literature. People can hardly read Dante's Infernal or really anything written in Europe before the modern period without knowledge of the Bible. They should also teach the Torah, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita, and study the religions by cultural importance.
May 20, 2012
James Cox
Dear Folks:
For about 6 years, through Junior High and High school. I suffered through a time share model for catholic school. A few 1/2 days a week catholic school and the rest public school. I felt like I was hostage in both. I was harassed by other kids in the catholic portion for my science interest and reading, and had to waste time in an empoverished catholic school environment. What redeamed the catholic school experience was the very good chocolate milk, and teasing the nuns.
If there is 'bible' study it should be as a separate student group, not as a front organization for soul saving and evangelizing.
Please do not poisen an already difficult environment for kids!
May 21, 2012