Bible Study

[TX50]

As long as you make sure you cover ALL the religions, including the beliefs of and differences between the various sects of each. And give equal time to each strand of non-religion in order that you are not seen to be promoting belief over non-belief.

Which is exactly how RE (Religious Education aka "Rest Easy" ) was
taught in my high school in Scotland in the late 1970s. The "Holy bible" was
included only as just another set of mythologies (along with the Q'uran, Hindu
scriptures, Taoist writings and such like). Religion per se really is a
fascinating subject.

ETA Well, it's "broadly" how it was taught. We acknowledged the existence
of different sects and examined the most important, but didn't go into forensic
detail on them all. No real point in that.

 

[drkitten]

Which is exactly how RE (Religious Education aka "Rest Easy" ) was taught in my high school in Scotland in the late 1970s.

Not quite, since you're not still in that class. JB's point was that you couldn't cover all religions in the world. I suspect that your class covered the "major" world religions, but left out a number of the minor ones (did you cover Rastafarianism? Voudou? John Frum-ism? Sikhism? Shinto? Raelianism? Scientology? Bah'ai?)

 

[Oroborus]

Aw I'd have been sad if they didnt teach norse or greek mythology in school. I always got a kick out of the stories. Teaching and attempting to convert are two differnt things lol.

 

[Andronicus]

I think the message is that, for those in the U.S. at least, Christianity and the bible are more relevant, not more correct.

Well put, and succinctly.

 

[jaywhat]

In the UK, the list of subjects taught in school includes Religious Education (RE) which used to be Religous Instruction (RI). RI is simply indoctinating the pupils in one religiion and is wrong - in my opinion.
It should be left to the religious organisations to do that, not the education system. On the other hand, RE should be a broad education in all faiths and life stances, including Humanism.
As a humanist, I am involved in the organisation that sets the RE syllabus in my area and hope to keep my eye on the fact that we who are of no faith are fully included. All life stances should be explained to tomorrow's thinking adults, who will eventually choose how they want to live their lives - not necessarily following their parents or their dominant 'culture'.

 

[jazzmojo]

Aw I'd have been sad if they didnt teach norse or greek mythology in school. I always got a kick out of the stories. Teaching and attempting to convert are two differnt things lol.

I agree completely. It would be tragic if all tracings of the supernatural were cleansed from the curriculum. I think "American Gods" should be required reading in High Schools. Love that book.

Every Ending Is A New Beginning.​

Your Lucky Number Is None.​

Your Lucky Colour Is Dead.​

Motto:​

Like Father, Like Son.​

I am probably one of the very, very few who loved American Gods before I had even heard of The Sandman. Honest. Of course, I've now read Sandman three times. I am late, but I close quickly....I am the Deion Sanders of literary appreciation....

 

[six7s]

Are we not educating to double standards?

<anecdote>

Since posting that, I have been talking to a neighbours 11-year old son who has attended a local catholic school since the age of 5

Despite being a bright and eager student with 90mins of religious studies per week, a quick quiz (at home) revealed that of perhaps 20 'famous literary figures' from the OT, he only recognised the names of Adam & Eve, Samson & Delilah and Moses...

Sorta blew the 'literary value' argument to bits​

</anecdote>

 

[Nogbad]

Certainly if one is studying European or American history the Bible is a useful tool as it was an integral part of peoples lives. A working understanding of its contents and popular interpretation of the period covered is essential.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Closest I came to RE in the 1960s was one English teacher who read "Pilgrim's Progress" to the class in the 15 minute registration period at the start of the day. I quite enjoyed it.
The notio of teaching the basics of all major religions seems valid enough, especially if there is an attempt to root them in biology / psychology, but I see no need to go into depth on this. Better if RE is included in a course on rational thinking.