Religilous Ignorance.
An article in the Boston Globe last Sunday and an article in the 3/12/07 issue of Newsweek focus on Boston University Professor's, Stephen Prothero's, contention that we live in a religiously ignorant society which has negative consequences for understanding and engaging with the world.
He has recently published a book, Religious Literacy, in which he addresses the lack of religious literacy and what he recommends as a solution. He notes that even thought 90% of Americans say they believe in God, very few know a thing about religion. He writes, "Given a political environment where religion is increasingly important, its' increasingly important to know something about religion. The payoff is a more involved [political] conversation."
He advocates that public schools teach religion, that every student should take one course on the Bible, and one course on world religions. The purpose is not to proselytize, but to teach children about religion so that they can have a better understanding of religions and their impact on the world.
What do you think of Prothero's recommendations? Do you think it is possible to teach religious texts in an objective format or that it would be possible to accomplish this in public schools? Do thou think it would be a good thing?
He has recently published a book, Religious Literacy, in which he addresses the lack of religious literacy and what he recommends as a solution. He notes that even thought 90% of Americans say they believe in God, very few know a thing about religion. He writes, "Given a political environment where religion is increasingly important, its' increasingly important to know something about religion. The payoff is a more involved [political] conversation."
He advocates that public schools teach religion, that every student should take one course on the Bible, and one course on world religions. The purpose is not to proselytize, but to teach children about religion so that they can have a better understanding of religions and their impact on the world.
What do you think of Prothero's recommendations? Do you think it is possible to teach religious texts in an objective format or that it would be possible to accomplish this in public schools? Do thou think it would be a good thing?
posted by UCC Medfield at 9:28 AM
3 Comments:
I agree. Religiously our society is ignorant. If we learned more about the world religions we might be more understanding and less prejudiced. I think hearing misinformation is more dangerous than being uninformed. On the other hand, it's a delicate subject to teach in public schools. They already address world religions in history class, but just from a historical point of view. No theology. I think it could be done.
I agree. There is a need for more education of the bible and world religions. Since adult education is selective, it makes sense that it occur in the schools. It should be done as a separate course in high school rather than lumping it into World History. The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Think what a better world it would be if those in politics as well as international commerce were more religiously educated.
Which version of Christianity are you going to teach? The best thing religion can do for our race is to quietly go away.
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