Religion and this week topic of 10/15/15
Can we really be neutral? Who are “we”? We all are chipped, framed and shaped my something. Whether our parents were an atheist, Christian, or something else. Do the school systems try to stay away from religion because it is such a “hot” bed of controversy? If they stay out of it, then they avoid the spotlight and/or the lawsuits that follow. I don't know. I'm just posting these questions and suggestive answers on the topic.
I do believe religion should be a topic in schools. I parallel the idea with the chaplain in the armed forces. He/she has the job of teaching others of all faiths. He doesn't suppose to conform to a certain idea, but except all equally. Of course, we know human beings can't do that very well, but, in theory, that is what suppose to take place. Students need to know why people think certain ways. They need to understand what drives certain people to act and behave in certain ways. They too need to have choices that they can choose from. Anxiety, trials, and hardship come into all our lives. It is important people have options when choosing how to deal with this certainty in life. That is just two reasons. There are many others that could be rightfully argued. Ruyter, D., & Merry, M. (2009)
In my social studies classroom, I cover it just like I do everything else. Most of the time students are curious enough to ask questions. I get the chance to give them my opinion and beliefs on the matter, and that is far as it goes. I believe firmly that people have to see the works of a man rather than a man that just pays lip service to something. We have to module good behavior. That is what kids need. If they ever take it a step further and ask what helps us do good, then we share with them. I believe the curriculum needs to include the subject of all religions, then students can decide for themselves what they want to do with the information. We have to be careful, though. Living “good” is subjective. Can we teach the golden rule and leave it at that, or can we take it further? I think we need to teach the golden rule as an opinion; however, ask students to talk about some alternatives if that is not true. I think teaching the alternative can have a reverse effect on students and bring them back to the truth. Each student finds his/her own truth, though. Ruyter, D., & Merry, M. (2009)
The example of how school systems decide when to close for the holidays was a baffling issue. It never occurred to me, living in a predominately Christian country in a particularly Christian run South that this could be problematic. If schools choose not to observe any religious holidays, then they open themselves up to issue of having enough substitutes to cover a particular religious observance. That is if there are enough teachers that do observe it. Another issue is if there are enough students and parents that observe certain holidays. Missing 20% of the students on a given day wrecks havoc for teacher planning. Should those days be used as enrichment days? That is what I would do; however, administrators already put us under a time crunch to teach so much content. Purinton, T., & Gunther, V. (2011)
I like this article. The reading has open my eyes to more than just the problematic issues with what to teach when to teach, and how to assess. I never thought about other people's religions, traditions, and observances in this manner. I called myself UN-biased and muti-culturally driven. I believe in the democratic process; however, after reading this article, I'm going to have to reevaluate my beliefs and ideologies. Purinton, T., & Gunther, V. (2011)
Purinton, T., & Gunther, V. (2011). Closing school for the holidays - whose holidays?. Phi Delta Kappan, 93(4), 33-37.
Ruyter, D., & Merry, M. (2009). Why Education in Public Schools Should Include Religious Ideals. Studies In Philosophy & Education, 28(4), 295. doi:10.1007/s11217-008-9120-4.
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