Well said Tigercity. If kids are given a proper scientific, rational understanding of the world they'll come to their own conclusions and more than likely reject superstition. (That way we won't actually have to ban religion come the revolution).
You know what pissed me off in school? There was never the option to challenge religion or thoughts given to aethiests or the agnostic. As a child it offended me deeply that I was force fed the Christian faith when I knew I didnt want to be taught it. Why wasnt I taught philosophy instead? And no i didnt go to a C of E school.
Damn right, a good bit of Descartes is far better than hearing about some whale swimming in a plague of toads while blowing a trumpet and killing a giant with a stone.
Kids of Junior school age (from whatever background) visit our local CofE and Methodist church from time to time as part of the National Ciriculum. This is an informative trip and not an act of worship. If it were the latter, then you would expect Muslim, Seikh etc parents might not want their kids to attend.
Maybe they should start teaching kids about the differences between Protestantism and Catholicism (and why and how the actions of a German Monk in the early 16th century affected the geo-political map of Western Europe and later the US) before introducing other religions. Then they can explain how the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) are all connected to the aforesaid patriarch. Adam, Noah, Moses and Abraham are major figures in all. Surprisingly, Jesus is revered as a prophet in Islam. Even linguistically Israel and Islam both have the same root meaning, that is to struggle or submit to God. Teach them that Jehovah, God and Allah is the same 'being' but simply called a different name in each religion. There is much in common but ignorance and fear has divided these religions and reconciliation now seems impossible. Only education and understanding can start to bridge that gap.
Good post, Chillo! However, one of the tenets of belief that the three religions kave/had is the belief that any non-believer (or adherent of another faith) is less than human That belief, alone, is responsible for the extermination of millions!
I think its a brilliant idea for kids to visit places such as mosques to gain a better understanding of them and they grow to be more tolerant of other people from gaining a small insight into their world. It would ultimately stop narrow minded, ignorant degenerates from saying this that and whatever about the Muslim community when only a small number of extremists are people who cause problems. Personally I think all religions are stupid and do nothing but give people another reason to fight each other. Gods were invented because it was a way for people years and years ago who had nowhere near the understanding of the world that we do today, could explain events such as rain. A lot of cultures would offer a sacrafice in fact. Yeah so basically, a very good idea that trip and religion is stupid.
My sister is a RE teacher in London, she is a Christian but her lessons are based on all faith and none. Can't see an issue people going on field trips to Mosques,synagogue, churches. All kids of faith/or none go on these trips. I think it's a good insight. The most amazing wedding I went to was my sisters Hare Krishna wedding in Soho, great food, great music (vegy).It was funny, my working class Hull uncles sat cross legged with bare feet with symbols painted on their head. Still we had a reception in the pub that night complete with sausage rolls and booze, the Krishna's got into the spirit of that too
That has occurred through certain part of history, yes. The 'message' of peace and tolerance seems to have been lost, whether in translation or interpretation.
Bit of a contradiction aint it Matt! Religion is stupid but kids should still go! I would like to think i can bring my kids up with out having to visit stupid religious places, They only thing i will be preaching to my children is the tigers if they dont like it i am kicking them out Some Mosques, Churches and Temples look pretty and wouldn't have a problem my child visiting them in a architectural way just not a religious way
I thibk its important for kids to learn how to be tolerant of other cultures and have a basic understanding of their beliefs. I was raised in a multicultural house, my grandads muslim and is from Bangladesh, I hace Scottish hetitage and Polish too. I think being raised in such a background allows me to see people for who they are and not to stereotype a particular ethnic group as being all bad as a lot of people in Hull do. I'm not saying everyone on here does but you do see the occassional ignorant comment about muslims etc. The religion been silly is just my personal opinion . Didn't mean to contradict myself in any way
Science and rationale only play in their own fields of measurable quantities and provable facts. They do not and cannot measure human emotions or the value of human relationships. It is that latter dimension of life which opens up the possibility for faith based communities to live along side of and as part of a fact based society.
Christin education and history is vital for a child's education. How can you hope to understand the last 2,000 years without it?
Thertainly a mythtake on your part Thtan if you don't undertthtand the significance of the Thpanith Armada, Henry VIII's dilemma etc How do you make sense of our culture and history without understanding the role of organised religion, its links with power and wealth, its shaping of our attitudes to sex, crime, death etc, even the 'weekend' and 'breakfast'. Any **** is free to grunt "****in religion, it's **** that is . Boo!" Good luck to you, whoever you are, if that's your cro magnon take on life.
