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| Church pamphlet |
In fact public school is a great place for young people to share their points of view about the world, current events, and religion with their peers.
However I would also encourage Muslims to bring their Koran, Hindus to bring the Vidas, and Atheists to bring "The God Delusion."
I think that would start a very interesting, and potentially lengthy discussion, that could last the entire school year.
"I think that would start a very interesting, and potentially lengthy discussion, that could last the entire school year."
ReplyDeleteUh huh. And it could (and probably would in many areas) start a "war". The fundies and evangels would raise such a stink it could be detected in Sweden! Protests about the followers of islam would be loud and very nearly violent. And don't even THINK about the violence that would occur on those who are raised atheist! Both at the school and every place else around the school.
We've already seen the kinds of things I'm talking about.
Would it be a good thing? Yes! IF people weren't so stupidly hateful about having "others" being near them. Unfortunately, the fanatics don't understand "understanding" or religious freedom.
Hell, we still have people who will move out of a neighborhood because a black family moves in! Religious hatred is far worse!
Nonsense. Kids have more brains than you give them credit for. In just 3 short months after high school, they enter college. Where such intelligent discussion is required and graded.
Delete8:37, intelligent discussion often goes out of the window once religion is brought into the mix.
DeleteYes, they're right and all. It's just too bad that the whole BringYourBible.org website glosses over the simple basic principle - that schools can't sponsor religious observances. Yes, students can do their own personal religious stuff, as the website states again and again. But the school can't promote religion. Why can't they simply present both sides? Students yes, the school no.
ReplyDeleteMaking kids spend their free time sitting around yakking about the bible instead of letting off steam.... yeah, that'll work.
ReplyDelete"However I would also encourage Muslims to bring their Koran, Hindus to bring the Vidas, and Atheists to bring "The God Delusion."'
ReplyDelete...and then the Christian kids would know who to bully and gang up on. Terrible idea.
I agree. I encourage kids to read ANY fiction book. If they can bring Twilight and Harry Potter to school to read on their own time, why not faux religious material? But like you said, as long as all Faux religious books are accepted.
ReplyDeleteIn this scenario, the only group with facts on their side would be the Atheists. Facts and religion generally do not co-exist well.
ReplyDeleteTerrible idea. There's enough bullying between kids. Throw in religion and the adults will pile on. It's a recipe for disaster.
ReplyDeleteI'm an athiest and I agree with you Gryphen. I don't care what anyone does with their free time as long as it applies to everyone equally. The christian fundies hate athiests more than they do followers of Islam. Science and reason are more dangerous to their dogma than any other religious belief system.
ReplyDeleteMaybe some kids would even feel comfortable enough to bring their copy of Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States."
ReplyDeleteYears ago (probably the 1980s) while teaching at a California middle school, we were told that an outside group was planning to distribute Bibles on campus.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall if there were complaints or not. But, in the end these Bibles were placed on a table in a common area. Those students who wanted one could take one and those who didn't could ignore them.
I thought that was a great idea plus there was no proselytizing by adults coming on campus.
I called in sick on Bible days, but was early, bright eyed and bushy tailed on "Kama Sutra" day.
ReplyDeleteThey don't need to bring one. They can check one out of the school library. They're in the 200s along with the Koran and Greek Mythology.
ReplyDeleteI doubt any child is going to give up their recess or lunch time to have a religious discussion. Anyone who tries is going to be ignored and labeled weird.