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RE: Religion and Politics - 5/2/2007 3:19:32 PM

NorthernGent

Posts: 8730
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: outlier

NorthernGent,

I am not sure if you mean you studied what I meant by "comparative
religions" in grades 13-15, or in your 13-15 years.

Generally speaking, and it varies in the 50 states, and in different districts,
counties,etc.: High School is the last 3 or 4 years of compulsory
education and covers grades 9 or 10 through 12. Generally speaking again,
most students graduate high school 17-19 years old,

You may have noticed all the issues going back and forth in this thread
about compulsory attendance versus choice. That is why a lot of people
think the whole subject is best left until college here in the USA.

As an example of how emotional people get about it check out this recent
"Prayer in Schools" thread:
http://www.collarchat.com/post.asp?do=reply&messageID=991619&toStyle=tm

Outlier

Outlier, the link you've provided is a link to this thread.

Apologies for not making myself clear - 13 to 15 years old, and Religious Education was optional.

In those 3 years, English Language, English Literature, Maths, and two of the sciences were compulsory - two of Physics, Biology or Chemistry - and the rest of the subjects were optional - anything from a language or Art or Religious Education or History or Computer Design etc. In total, we studied 10 subjects in that period - 5 compulsory and 5 optional from a choice of about 25 subjects.

I agree with those who think Religious Education should be optional. A friend of mine sends her kid to Islamic school after normal school hours - it's not my place to say anything, but I can't help think she's imposing a belief system on her kid before she has had the chance to form opinions detached from religious dogma. Why not let her kid do without religion, and when she's old enough let her make her own decision?

< Message edited by NorthernGent -- 5/2/2007 3:20:38 PM >

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Post #: 41

RE: Religion and Politics - 5/2/2007 4:40:27 PM

outlier

Posts: 1111
Joined: 10/22/2005
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NorthernGent,

My turn to apologize and I do.
Here is the intended link about Prayer and Schools.

The other part about the dialogue that is interesting is that you use
the term "religious education" as if you are studying various religions.
In this country that term is generally used to mean the study of "your faith".
Which is why the phrase "comparative religions" or "comparative
world religions" is used. Your use is what I would gravitate to.

But over here the whole subject is very emotionally loaded
and has been since compulsory prayer was deemed illegal by the
US. Supreme Court in the early sixties. Because an atheist brought
a lawsuit so her child would not have to say the school prayer.

It ends up being overwhelmingly ironic! The very people who you
would expect to be the most invested in not having the government
intervene in their religious life end up fighting with rhetoric and money
to elect politicians who will appoint judges who favor the government
telling their children when and how to pray.

The further irony of all this is that MANY if not the majority of these
people say that hate "big government".

Outlier

< Message edited by outlier -- 5/2/2007 4:43:45 PM >

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Post #: 42

RE: Religion and Politics - 5/2/2007 5:08:03 PM

minnetar

Posts: 1272
Joined: 4/11/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: hisannabelle

minnetar,

out of curiosity, how do you feel about religious clubs in high schools? for example, fellowship of christian athletes was a major club at our high school, and yet there would have been an uprising had anyone tried to start a student group for a different religion. do you have the same view of religious-based clubs and organizations in public schools? if not, what's different?

annabelle.

i see nothing wrong with clubs which are self funded and not funded by the state. To me the difference is where the funding is coming from.

minnetar

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Post #: 43

RE: Religion and Politics - 5/3/2007 1:09:12 PM

NorthernGent

Posts: 8730
Joined: 7/10/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: outlier

NorthernGent,

My turn to apologize and I do.
Here is the intended link about Prayer and Schools.

The other part about the dialogue that is interesting is that you use
the term "religious education" as if you are studying various religions.
In this country that term is generally used to mean the study of "your faith".
Which is why the phrase "comparative religions" or "comparative
world religions" is used. Your use is what I would gravitate to.

But over here the whole subject is very emotionally loaded
and has been since compulsory prayer was deemed illegal by the
US. Supreme Court in the early sixties. Because an atheist brought
a lawsuit so her child would not have to say the school prayer.

It ends up being overwhelmingly ironic! The very people who you
would expect to be the most invested in not having the government
intervene in their religious life end up fighting with rhetoric and money
to elect politicians who will appoint judges who favor the government
telling their children when and how to pray.

The further irony of all this is that MANY if not the majority of these
people say that hate "big government".

Outlier

No problem, Outlier.

I had a look at your link and yeah, it seems to be a subject that stirs up a few emotions. It's a different culture. Personally, I think it's doing a disservice to kids to force a belief system on them - whatever the belief system.

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I have the courage to be a coward - but not beyond my limits.

Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

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Post #: 44