

Should religious studies be taught in public schools?

In today’s Times Union was my review of the book “Religious Literacy.” You can read the review here:

Here’s an excerpt:

Although chairman of the religious studies department at Boston University, Prothero’s argument isn’t about faith, but about how knowledge of religion is vital to the functioning of a democracy that requires a well-informed citizenry. This, of course, is a key rationale for journalism, so Prothero’s book is likely to get a lot of positive press for his mission, if not always for his writing.

He is careful to stress the difference between indoctrination, or making people believe a particular religion, and religious literacy, or getting people to understand “the religious terms, symbols, images, beliefs, practices, scriptures, heroes, themes, and stories that are employed in American

public life.”

Not understanding this distinction, Prothero argues, is part of the problem. Although the Supreme Court has ruled against “Sunday-school-style religious instruction,” he writes, the high court also ruled that “the Bible may constitutionally be used in an appropriate study of history, civilization, ethics, comparative religions and the like.”

For high schools, Prothero describes two required courses: one that views the Bible in terms of its literary and religious importance, another that introduces students to “the seven great religious traditions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.”

For colleges, he calls for all students to be required to take one course in religious studies, so graduates can have at least “minimal religious literacy.”

The question is: Is this a good idea? What do you think?

Categories: New Books
Michael Janairo

5 Responses

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  2. ottttt3 says:

    Absolutely not. There is nothing “great” about the seven great religions except their numbers of believers. Their dogmas are irrational and are quickly being explained as nonsense in light of knowledge gained about our existence through the scientific method of discovery. The only studying that should be done concerning religion is to examine the truths of their creation myths and the long-term detriment to our survival from not facing reality. The only way to honestly teach the history of religion is to include the downside, its role in suppressing freedom and knowledge and equality. I doubt that would happen. So I see no benefit to perpetuating their myths by teaching them as legitimate worldviews. Besides, although not a religion, a Secular Humanist worldview was nt included on that list.

  3. Ronnie Lanier says:

    Like it or not religion plays a large role in the history of society as a whole. To leave religion out of education would be like trying to teach someone without having adequate examples to get them to fully understand why societies and cultures are the way they are. There are many negative impacts religious practices have played on society and many of them are taught in schools; as well they should be. It is also very true that religion has played a positive role in society as well. To be truly educated you have to understand why and how traditions and religious practices effect society. Understanding history and civilization involves the vital aspect of understanding cultures and traditions. Science has yet to disprove any religion. Religion in school isn’t taught as litigimate worldviews, but as a means of teaching how world cultures shape history. Why not include the seven major religions? That should cover most people. You can’t make everyone happy. Lets just make the fewest ones mad.

  4. Albany Mom says:

    I definitely think religion should be taught in public schools – in an academic way, not a Sunday School way, of course. When religion is left out of social studies courses, as it often is these days, there is a big gap there. Religion and religious beliefs affect so many things – politics, medicine, human rights, the economy, the environment – both in the past and today. How can you understand world history and politics without understanding religion. Sadly, I only remember religion being incorporated into classes once in my public school career. It was a world history class, and it made the rest of what we learned so much more meaningful.

    Learning about religious beliefs shouldn’t offend atheists. It is a fact of life that other people in the world have or have had religious beliefs, and learning about them is part of being more culturally sensitive. I’m not saying that if Americans learned more about the core beliefs of non-Judeo-Christian religions it would solve all our problems, but it certainly would have prevented some of the gaffes that the US has made on the international scene.

  5. the public schools on our district can really give some good education to young kids. they have high standards -‘`