Paganism in schools?

[Sobek]

i am outright against religion being taught in schools, so i wouldnt even like paganism and anything of the like to be taught in schools.

school is a place of learning, not of brainwashing. approaching it from an earthbound location is alot different to approaching it from faith.

[Eretik]

I agree on that Sobek.I 'd like to see a totally secular approach to education, We are moving slowly in that direction here. Too slowly, in my opinion. I tend to keep that belief to myself,most of the time.It gets me in a lot of arguments lol.I don't think anyone should have to hide their beliefs for fear of ridicule or worse, but I don't see any benefit to dividing the education system even further by adding more faiths and dogmas. As I 've mentioned, the wrongs and abuses that are caused by workers in secular positions, i.e. agents of law and state, applying their faith to legal,social and moral issues,concerning those of other faiths, are far more important to me.

[Elem]

I'm personally quite happy with the teaching religion in school... Well, no, let me make myself clear - I'm happy with them teaching about religions.. But not happy with them trying to convert students or brainwash them.

Teaching, not preaching! (Heh, it rhymes.)

Our high school took, what I consider, to be quite a good approach.. Religion was taught as 'just another subject'. We weren't forced to believe anything we were taught about.. We were just taught 'facts' and cultural differences. We were taught about tolerance and respect for other peoples' choices.

I don't in any way condone the preaching of religious values inside the classroom, however. Had this happened, I'd have been the first to stand up and complain about it. What makes it their right to try and convert us? I'm in school to learn, not to be converted. By all means teach away about the religions of the world - they're fascinating, to me at least.. But leave personal religious decisions just that - personal.

As for teaching about Paganism.. As has been said, it's an absolutely immense topic to cover, full of many different, individual religions. More to the point.. Not one of these religions can be absolutely pinned down. There's vagueness about it all - there's no specific 'holy scriptures' that contain 'the written word of God'. Just books from many different authors on their various experiences... Some better than others.

I don't know where the teachers would start, and I certainly don't know how it'd be received in schools. Most people seem to find out about Paganism anyway.. And so long as they have been taught religious tolerance, they'll either be interested in it and research the aspects that they find intriguing... Or shrug their shoulders and say "Not for me, but fair play to those who it works for."

Just my two cents.. .

Elem

Elem