Religion in Education

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I find it interesting that this subject is brought up, but I'd like to give my own viewpoint as well. I'm Jewish, but I'm not very religious. I've gotten used to people trying to convert me in school or telling me that my soul will burn for all eternity. If this level of prejudice exists in the classroom, then it is not appropriate, and should be brought up first with the teacher and then with administrators.

First of all, I agree immensely with many points before. If it is a book, such as Crime and Punishment, with a large number of Christian references, then it is appropriate to discuss these references. I will say however, that if a teacher would handle it like church class, that while I would pay attention in class and finish the homework or discussion for what it was worth, the teacher would lose significant respect.

The final and most important thing I'd like to cite is that "religious harassment" is on a person-to-person basis. I am extremely sensitive about it because I've grown up in an environment where my religious beliefs aren't always respected. I have many friends of all faiths, and I have the utmost respect for their views on the world and enjoy learning about them. However, many of their views are differing from mine, and I feel personally that evolution should not be brought into public schools unless it is in a class geared towards the subject, and this class is not part of the required curriculum.

The item that worries me most is that while there are students in the class that are mature and have respect for other beliefs, and a teacher may be lecturing with intention to discuss it as a factor of the story, there are individuals in the class who do not have the maturity to differentiate between discussion and "holy truth". I have the greatest pity for those who can't learn to respect others religions and lifestyles, and a classroom should enforce respect and general knowledge, not blundering ignorance.

Thanks
- Genia