I was listening to NPR this morning and they were talking to some professor at Boston University talking about how most of this country considers themselves to be religious in some context or another (Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc) but claimed that there is a shocking lack of religious "literacy" and is suggesting that there be a much greater education on these things in the public schools because basically people don't know what the hell they're talking about when issues of morality and law and religion come up in a political context.

One thing I thought was extremely funny is that 10% of people in the U.S., according to some random survey, when asked who Noah's wife was will say, "Joan of Arc". That's not even religious illiteracy. It's just plain dumb. haha.

It made me laugh. Since I know there are many religion haters on this board [Enter Radcliffe], I was curious to know what you all thought of more significant coursework in public high schools around the concept of dealing with relgion, not from a proselytizing perspective but from an academic perspective. Does this move beyond the "separation of church and state" that everyone loves so much or is it ok? Would it be better to have it as an elective option in high school instead of required coursework? Is this a stupid question, afterall you may as well believe in mermaids and fairies if you are interested in religion?

At my Jesuit high school, our sophomore religion class was world religion. And it got a lot of guff - "Why should a Catholic school teach about the other teams?" But it was a good class.

Sure, it should be college course material.

i think it's healthy to know what other people believe in. but i think it would be hard to teach it without being didactic.

Yes. There would have to be some referees involved.

In college I had an Eastern Orthodox class taught by, y'know, an Eastern Orthodox dude. He was hard-core and obviously loathed us students. But it was a great class.

i don't think so

Yeah, unfortunately I doubt it would be able to work because you would likely have too many complaints - whether that be that a certain religion is given too much time (Christianity for instance) or that another religion is given any (I can't help but think that Christians would go apeshit if they knew their kids were being taught about Wicca).

Just my $.02

Is Wicca considered a traditional world religion?

I know my parents would turn into steaming piles of said apeshit if their grandkids had to learn about some other religions. But, I definitely see the benefit in learning these things from an academic perspective. Teaching what people believe, imo, is so drastically different than teaching what people should believe.

I think that this illustrates my point - Who dictates what is traditional and what can be taught? It is common in many religions to look upon other religions as evil or as having roots in things that are evil. How do you balance that?

As for Wicca - it has its roots in Paganism which, at least in ancient times was a very traditional world religion.

Here's a column my friend pointed out to me a few months ago from the Columbus Dispatch:

http://www.dispatch.com/news/religion/f ... H2-01.html

Basically, the Faith & Values columnist talking about why he spends time talking about other religions like Buddhism and Islam after he received criticism.

And I think the criticism he received would be similar to that received by schools. A vocal minority would outraged that their children were being taught about "false" beliefs. Sad but true. I wonder if they're similarly outraged when their children read Homer or Sophocles.

Easy - just pick the good religions.

I love the fact that people still get freaked out by Wiccans. And the other day I saw a Billy Graham newspaper column in which he was warning about the rise of "cults" in our culture.

We learned about Islam in 7th grade.

arent several christian holidays actually moved from their original dates to coincide with pagan celebrations? i thought i heard this was done to facilitate the shift to christianity, but i dont recall 100%.

Oh yeah. All the biggies.

Much like some of you above, I had a world religions class at my Catholic high school. I wasn't Catholic, so really, all religion classes were a learning time.

I think its good as well to learn this. When it boils down there are many, many similarities, and perhaps teaching these will somehow inspire more leniency in some kids.

As far as which to teach? Can O' Worms completely. In high school we stuck to Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. I think Taoism was thrown in there as well.

I had to read The Gospel According to John, Paradise Lost, and parts of The Inferno in 12th Grade -- aside from Shakespeare (we read some of that too) these are teh foundations of Western Literature and thought. Sorry, I know many of you will try to disagree, but you can't make a real argument here.

Also, all you anti-religion types outta watch The Godfather: "Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer." Like Malcolm X being able to quote the Bible to his naysayers, its a lot easier to fight it when you actually understand it.

It still frightens you that I went off on that religous tirade complete with Bible verses to refute the claims of your Jesus-freak friend, doesn't it?

Yes, yes it does. One of the better verbal beat downs I have ever witnessed.

(Any wonder dude didn't make my wedding? )

yeah we should teach this stuff as long as it is taught sensibly and not like - 99% of the time on lil baby jesus and 1% of the time on how muslims attach bombs to themselves

i spent way too much time in church as a kid and they really brainwashed me...its not too hard. maybe we could brainwash kids to actually be open minded about this stuff.

Sort of like that random newscaster who "Care-fronted" the representative of the freak church in Oklahoma or whatever that were picketing at the military funerals. She made that woman look foolish and it wasn't even that hard. She just quoted one of the billion verses in the Bible about loving your neighbor, etc.

I am curious to hear more about this Jesus-freak friend that got obliterated by Bloor. Maybe there should be a podcast about it.

Yeah. I think that was one of the points of the professor. Simply stating that there must be a way to teach the differing religions and points of view and beliefs somewhat objectively.

Kind of like teaching evolution in a science class and creation in a theology class, at least in the right context. Nobody, not even me, wants a Savior class in school. Parents should take the role of perpetuating what they believe to be true, IMO.

I went to a super religous private school for four years when I was a lad, and was a Sunday School Allstar into my teens. I've been to gatherings at farms of Virgin Mary sightings and dug on the energy hanging out at a Benny Hinn gig. I've also read the Bible several times. So its safe to say I know my enemy.

That only makes me desire the podcast even more.

Benny Hinn freaks me out.

I need to tell the whole Benny Hinn story on the air sometime. Maybe bring in my buddy Hassler to back up the whole thing.

It was quite a freak show.

I think kids in high school should have to take a class on critical thinking. That'd be a good start.

yeah

covered the main ones

Buddhism, Hinduism, non Catholic Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, traditional Maori religion etc