Since immemorial times Religion has been compulsory taught in schools as part of any curricula. Public as well as private school have always had this subject in order to enable students to learn religious morals. Nevertheless, its importance in the classroom has turned into a debatable issue.
This event has occurred mainly because of the articulation of new religions and beliefs considerably different from the Roman Catholic Church viewpoints. At the same time, Bill Maher, a well-known American comedian and critic of religion, comments, “The 16 percent of Americans who in a recent poll by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life describe themselves as ‘unaffiliated’ with any religion.” (2). Consequently, the amount of people that have become atheist and agnostic have increased throughout the years. In another interview from NPR website, Maher argues that, “I believe in the doctrine of the I don’t know”(2). Having this issues in mind, Religious Education has not only changed but people has changed in a way they are more open to knew and different religious point of views. It does not matter if people are atheist or Muslims, there should be ongoing discussion about religion and how it is taught at schools. What is more, it is valid to question if people really want to have religious education as part of their educational system.
Although it is been explained that Religious Education operates more as an option than an obligation , it is also important to focus on the teachers’ roles at the moment of teaching this or any other subject where the topic of religion is being discuss. Teachers’ responsibility and critique are tremendously important in order to have a free debate on this subject. That is why, conscious teachers should know that “Religious education should be conceived as a tool to transmit knowledge and values pertaining to all religious trends, in an inclusive way, so that individuals realize their being part of the same community and learn to create their own identity in harmony with identities different from their own.” Therefore, teachers become active in this process delivering classes and responding to students’ questions and opinions with tolerance, responsibility and respect because he or she has to be aware that cannot disrespect others’ beliefs.
To sum up, it is important to have debates and discussions about the subject of religion. Moreover, if the teaching of it is appropriate for students who, most of the time, have different perspective on their own beliefs. Simultaneously, the teaching of this subject through tolerance and critique will enable students to be more respectful to each other and also they will learn about different beliefs.
Maher, Bill. Interview with Larry Charles. NPR. 30 September 2008.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95210724
Leland, John. “Cameras Roll, and Faith hasn’t a Prayer” The New York Times. 26 Septermber 2008. 28 March 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/movies/28lela.html
Amor, Abdelfattah. “The Role of Religious Education in the Pursuit of Tolerance and Non-discrimination”. International Consultative Conference on School
Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination. Madrid, 23-25 November 2001. http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/cfedu-basicdoc.htm
Annotation and Book Review Grammar Check
16 years ago
Nice introduction of your first quote, and the MLA style is almost perfect. When there is a . in the citation, you don't include it. Just put it after the ()'s. [I'm talking about the period after 'religion' in this quote--you don't need it: ....describe themselves as ‘unaffiliated’ with any religion.” (2).]
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in class, you should include Terry Gross's name in the second quotation. Also, you need a space between " and ( [see: I don’t know”(2).]
You didn't correct you bibliographic citations at the end, and you didn't introduce your third quotation. Why not?