Ironically I would support religious studies in schools. BUT…
Only if they teach ALL of them. And I mean all. Like ancient Greek, Roman, Indigenous, Pagan, Hindu…
I mean let’s teach kids how long this bullshit has been going on for, how many different ideas there are and how the only positive thread amongst them is the idea that we are all one.
Here in Sweden I had a mandatory religious class. They teaced about Hindu, Buddhism, Christianity and so on. We pretty much learned of all the “major” religions and i would say it was pretty beneficial to us all. Did it have shortcomings? Yes, but it was better to get a broad perspective on things instead of just one thing to be teached as “true”. We also had history parallel with religion which tied them both together pretty nicely.
Without taking too much liberty, can make an assumption?
Sweden has a high level of secularism because of this eclectic education when it comes to religious teaching.
I would say that it is probably one of the reasons. Another is that you are just not thaught about religion as a way of living and more just like any other subject like physics or history. It’s more of a objective look at it and what makes up that religion. Like, Hinduism believes a and therefore does b while Christianity believes c and therefore does d and so on.
It also helps not being raised by religious people of course.
I’m from the Midwest and I took AP World History which included learning about: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity (origins, Catholicism and the Reformation), Islam, Buddhism (& Zen Buddhism), and Taoism. Non-AP world history students would’ve also covered some of those too. And this was a public high school.
It originated from Judeo-Christian ideology (Unitarian as in rejection of the Trinity and Universalist as in everybody is saved), but it encompasses all (benevolent) forms of belief and non-belief now. Super religious or atheist, as long as you practice not being an asshole to the best of your ability, you’re welcome.
I agree. Also if someone wants to be religious, they should know about all the options out there and decide what fits their views best instead of being railroaded into the religion of their family.
It’s like being born into a Republican family and never being exposed to the views of democrats, you just always vote Republican because it’s what your family has told you is the way to do it.
Honestly I’ve been ok with religions so long as the people who believe don’t equate religious =good. Being moral should always be more than just believing someone will punish you for being bad. the reason religions have hells is to motivate people to be good people. Not to be the definition of morality. And sadly a lot of religious people forget that. What you pray to should effectively just be your culture. Like your choice of clothes or the songs you listen to. Zealoty is the only reason I’m not religious myself.
Ironically I would support religious studies in schools. BUT…
Only if they teach ALL of them. And I mean all. Like ancient Greek, Roman, Indigenous, Pagan, Hindu…
I mean let’s teach kids how long this bullshit has been going on for, how many different ideas there are and how the only positive thread amongst them is the idea that we are all one.
Here in Sweden I had a mandatory religious class. They teaced about Hindu, Buddhism, Christianity and so on. We pretty much learned of all the “major” religions and i would say it was pretty beneficial to us all. Did it have shortcomings? Yes, but it was better to get a broad perspective on things instead of just one thing to be teached as “true”. We also had history parallel with religion which tied them both together pretty nicely.
Without taking too much liberty, can make an assumption? Sweden has a high level of secularism because of this eclectic education when it comes to religious teaching.
Would that be your assessment?
I would say that it is probably one of the reasons. Another is that you are just not thaught about religion as a way of living and more just like any other subject like physics or history. It’s more of a objective look at it and what makes up that religion. Like, Hinduism believes a and therefore does b while Christianity believes c and therefore does d and so on.
It also helps not being raised by religious people of course.
I thought It might be. I think it would be good if the US adopts this approach.
Just out of curiosity, did they mention The Baha’is?
Nope, never heard of them. Like I said, it had its problems but I guess you can’t cover everything.
I’m unsurprised. They are very small. Just curious
That’s what we did at my Highschool. Our prof taught us about various religion, including Lavey’s Satanism.
I’m from the Midwest and I took AP World History which included learning about: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity (origins, Catholicism and the Reformation), Islam, Buddhism (& Zen Buddhism), and Taoism. Non-AP world history students would’ve also covered some of those too. And this was a public high school.
Grew up in the UU (Unitarian Universalist) Church and I’m eternally grateful that this was the religious education they offered.
So this is a spiritual belief with humanitarian ideals mixed with Judaism/Christian idolgy?
It originated from Judeo-Christian ideology (Unitarian as in rejection of the Trinity and Universalist as in everybody is saved), but it encompasses all (benevolent) forms of belief and non-belief now. Super religious or atheist, as long as you practice not being an asshole to the best of your ability, you’re welcome.
That’s an interesting group of tenets. Thanks for sharing.
I agree. Also if someone wants to be religious, they should know about all the options out there and decide what fits their views best instead of being railroaded into the religion of their family.
It’s like being born into a Republican family and never being exposed to the views of democrats, you just always vote Republican because it’s what your family has told you is the way to do it.
Honestly I’ve been ok with religions so long as the people who believe don’t equate religious =good. Being moral should always be more than just believing someone will punish you for being bad. the reason religions have hells is to motivate people to be good people. Not to be the definition of morality. And sadly a lot of religious people forget that. What you pray to should effectively just be your culture. Like your choice of clothes or the songs you listen to. Zealoty is the only reason I’m not religious myself.
Imparting a morality is not the same as belief.
Most religious people don’t have a view, they have a belief.
Belief is okay, but imposing morality is fucked.