Oh what a controversial subject! Religion in the class room! It took me forever to find an article with something juicy to talk about, In a local paper that was opinion and not pure news. In the Austin American Statesman there was an article written on Jan 11th 2010 by the editorial board titled Another trip down biblical lane thanks to State Board of Education.
I think the author of this article was trying to reach out to everybody that is concerned with learning in Texas’ education programs, or has children in the educational programs now. The author opens with the statement “It would be folly to deny religion's influence on history. Of course, religion had an influence on history. But then, so did weather.” The author gave many examples of influences on history such as religion, weather, indecision and poor sense of direction. Then goes on to argue how creating curriculums on such narrow belief systems would deny students a greater understanding of the world. Not only did the founding fathers create a constitution that grants freedom of religion but also freedom from it. How would the Texas State Board of Education be following the Constitution if they made religion apart of the curriculum? Besides only to educate?
In my opinion the author is correct. The evidence and logic was well played and portrayed to the public in a manner every open-minded individual can appreciate. All to often religion is misinterpreted, books misread and acted on, quoted or portrayed wrong. Leave the religious training or upbringing to the parents. If they want their children to learn religion they can learn it at church or in there home.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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I've decided to comment on a colleague's work with a topic I have a pretty strong stance on. Thanks to a great article by Michael Armatino, I've got a good foundation to expand upon.
ReplyDeleteThe article is about religion being taught in schools, and whether or not to use it. Obviously, this is a touchy subject, and I certainly don't want to "step on anyone's toes" so to speak... So, I'll merely give my view on the topic and include some of the counter arguments to help see everything for what it is.
I'll start by saying: although I value my mind's "perfect world" and everything that would go on if it were to play out as I wish it would, life truly doesn't work that way... and I would never expect it to. That said, I truly wish there were a way that religion could be taught in schools. I won't even go into what type or anything like that... It's merely the morality and virtue that a religion can bring to its followers (if they are truly dedicated) that I want the world to have and be more in tune with. In recent years, I've steadily watched the world decline over-all, to where decency and honesty seem to have become things of the past. We live in an indulgent, impatient society where instant gratification is a must, and things, more often than not, lack the values that our country was originally founded on. I suppose all I'm trying to say is that society in general could use a big shot of "goodness" into its meanderings to straighten it out a bit. Wouldn't you agree?
I have no idea why a Britney Spears lyric is screaming to be written here, as I'm certainly not a follower... but in one of her more recent songs you may have heard on the radio has this lyric in one of its verses: "Are you in? Living in sin is the new thing." And to be honest, it seems that this does tend to be how people feel these days. I think things could use a turn in the other direction.
That was my view on the subject. Of course parents and family members have the responsibility to bring up their children the way they feel is right, as Mr. Armatino said in his article. I'd just venture to say that it could do many some good to incorporate even more into the mix. School would be a great outlet to use...