The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
The Forum - On Line Opinion's article discussion area



Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Main Articles General

Sign In      Register

The Forum > General Discussion > A new twist to the religious education debate: humanism in schools.

A new twist to the religious education debate: humanism in schools.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. ...
  7. 11
  8. 12
  9. 13
  10. All
Apparently, the Victorian Government will soon give the green light for the Humanist Society of Victoria to hold classes in schools, effectively giving them the same rights as religious groups hold.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24797395-29277,00.html

Religious teachers have long been able to give religious instruction in schools, with students being able to opt-out. Now, the humanists will be able to do the same.

I guess under the present system, this is fair enough. If religious groups are allowed to give classes in schools, then surely humanist groups should be allowed the same.

My preference would be to do away with religious instruction in schools altogether (as well as the classes of the humanist group), and focus on things like maths and science. If students wish for religious instruction... well, I thought that's what Sunday schools are for.

However, given that this isn't happening, I guess I support the humanists in their endeavour.

Thoughts?

There's plenty of pro or anti religious threads, but I'm hoping we can discuss what things we believe are necessary for education, and what are the limitations, benefits or problems of teaching theology or philosophy in schools. (So if you're just sinking the boot in, please think twice).
I'm of the view that these discussions are better held in university, where the exercise has more of a give-and-take nature, as opposed to education in younger years, where it often appears to be an attempt to gain converts.
Posted by TurnRightThenLeft, Sunday, 14 December 2008 8:06:13 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Well it hasnt started yet and Im not greatly worried.

Really...if you fight against GOD you will lose.
The Nazis picking on His chosen people, the Jews, during WW2 is a classic example.

The Humanists trying to corrupt a generation of young children will become another example.

It will only be a matter of time before GOD sorts out the Humanists and the Victorian government.

Weird things have happened down there in 'the darkness that Victoria is becoming' in recent years including the decriminalisation of witchcraft.

All they did was open the doors for the warlocks and witches to do their many abominations.
Posted by Gibo, Sunday, 14 December 2008 8:27:22 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
I agree that it seems a good idea if we're going to be stuck with "religious education" in the curriculum. If a similar policy is instituted in Queensland it would give my youngest child something to do instead of sitting up the back of the classroom facing the back, as she was forced to do this year.
Posted by CJ Morgan, Sunday, 14 December 2008 8:34:04 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Dear TRTL,

Imagine teaching children that every person has
dignity and worth and therefore should
command the respect of every other person.

Humanistic education centres on the humanities,
which include philosophy, languages, literature,
history and the arts. Together, these subjects
have humanistic ideals at their centre. They
try to interpret the meaning of life, rather
than just describing the physical world of
society.

If humanism will teach young adults how to use
their knowledge and power in a moral, humane way,
I think that would be a plus in their education.
It would balance out the emphasis that is currently
being placed on science and technology.

Surely that wouldn't be a bad thing?
Posted by Foxy, Sunday, 14 December 2008 8:48:31 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Humanistic philosophy has saturated our universities and school systems for decades. Having it taught as the dogma it is just brings it out in the open. I just hope they are honest enough to teach the fruit of this god denying philosophy however I doubt it. Thankfully it will result in more kids in the private schools as more teens end up with sexually if transmitted diseases, more rebellion takes place in class (if thats possible) and drug taking and violence increases. The Government is showing that it has been hijacked by fools.
Posted by runner, Sunday, 14 December 2008 10:51:18 PM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
Predictable responses from Gibo and runner. Do you guys have autocues that you just read each time one of these topics pops up?
Try varying the script a little huh? I've seen this one already. It has a crappy ending.

Foxy, from a theoretical standpoint I agree, however from a practical standpoint I don't. Whilst I think teaching these things is a good thing, the end result tends to be changed a little along the way.
Ideally, yes, teaching that each person has worth sounds good. In practice, it ends up being another feel-good exercise that quickly grows stale as the students get bored.
Ultimately, teaching needs to be about challenging the mind - however it takes rare talent to teach truly philosophical matters in an enlightening way. I think if you attempt to mass-produce it for all schools via a mandate for the curriculum, it will inevitably end up doing the opposite.

Another problem is that philosophical topics tend to be hijacked by those with a cause.
Gibo and runner provide a fine example of why such things should stay out of the classroom, as they can't seem to empathise on any level with those who feel it's inappropriate to give religious teaching for those who don't wish for it.

Guys, I have no problem with religious instruction being offered to those who seek it out. I have a very big problem with it being presented to young minds in schools who haven't asked for it, especially when it's presented as an absolute truth.

Advertise in the same way everybody else has to. Get billboards and pay for TV ads if you've got a message to get across.

CJ... your youngest can't just opt-out of the religious classes?
Posted by TurnRightThenLeft, Monday, 15 December 2008 12:00:59 AM
Find out more about this user Recommend this comment for deletion Return to top of page Return to Forum Main Page Copy comment URL to clipboard
  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. ...
  7. 11
  8. 12
  9. 13
  10. All

About Us :: Search :: Discuss :: Feedback :: Legals :: Privacy