Poll: Teachers Not Allowed to Discuss Personal Religious Beliefs in Class

[SillyBear]

They shouldn't be prohibited from discussing them, but a good teacher never reveals what their true beliefs are. My legal studies teacher was a master at this - we had her for four years and we got nothing out of her. They should be able to discuss ideas without bias, like a teacher should.

Having said that, it was hilarious when my biology teacher, after being questioned why she didn't teach creationism, laughed and said "Hah! Ah, they are just fairy tales!". Pretty much everyone my age is an atheist, so we all laughed - but that probably wasn't appropriate!

 

[ManWithHat]

I say "yes", but under certain circumstances. As long as it applies to an educational discussion, it is absolutely fine. I understand people (readarents) have a concern about religion in schools and teachers "judging" or "converting" their kids, and I know there will be a teacher or two who will justify their fear. Situations like the OP's are really the best place for religion in school anyway: to learn and discuss deep aspects of life and meaning as well as about how others live their lives via religion. It really doesn't need to be anywhere else in school.

At least, imo anyway.

 

[lazysquirell]

Yes untill the point it becomes preaching. If they make it very clear these are beliefs of theirs and not cold hard facts then I see no problem with it tbh but I wouldn't want my children to be preached to like I was (I went to a Church of England school when I was a kid ironically I'm an atheist now and was never baptised )

Captcha: Judge Nokyoura... Sounds like a sweet name for a crime fighting ninja film... *runs off to begin writing pilot*

 

[Spiny Norman]

No, never. A teacher is in a position of authority that is exploitative. It's the same reason relationships between teachers and students are made illegal, because of the positions of power between teacher and student.[/quote]

Just giving a teachers personal beliefs is not exploitative. If they make sure to state that it is not necessarily correct and all people are free to make their own choices. That way it becomes inconsequential to the class, just like stating your personal favorite sports team.

 

[artanis_neravar]

They shouldn't be prohibited from discussing them, but a good teacher never reveals what their true beliefs are. My legal studies teacher was a master at this - we had her for four years and we got nothing out of her. They should be able to discuss ideas without bias, like a teacher should.

Having said that, it was hilarious when my biology teacher, after being questioned why she didn't teach creationism, laughed and said "Hah! Ah, they are just fairy tales!". Pretty much everyone my age is an atheist, so we all laughed - but that probably wasn't appropriate!

My Bio teacher, when asked, just laughed and said something along the lines of "according to state law I'm not allowed to discuss that bullshit...I mean...no that's what I meant"

 

[hem dazon 90]

if the kids ask yes, otherwise screw the cultists.

Watch out guys, edgyman walking through!

 

[powell86]

No.

Teachers should not be allowed to proselytize to their students. Parents allow their children to attend schools with certain assumptions about how their students will be treated there, which includes the guarantee that state-funded schools will not advance religious doctrine.

If you allow teachers to inject their personal faith into the curriculum, you are removing any sort of parental oversight.

In theory, the teachers answer to the school board, who answer to the parents. Parents electing board members who create rules dictating what teachers can do is the only way that parents know that the teachers are doing things the way they should be.

This

And also it's my personal opinion that as a teacher you should not impart your students opinions on ANY matter. Most importantly is show them various arguments and allow your students to formulate their own opinions. I so obviously hate it when my teachers mark me down for disagreeing with my arguments in essays. This is even more pervasive when i was in university.

BTW I'm a Christian, and I do not believe in forcefully shoving things down people's throat abt what i believe is right/wrong. Seriously, I'll show you why I believe in certain things. You can disagree with me becuz given the same information, different people reach different conclusion.

 

[Tomster595]

if the kids ask yes, otherwise screw the cultists.

Watch out guys, edgyman walking through!

I literally lol'd at this =P

 

[Nightvalien]

if the kids ask yes, otherwise screw the cultists.

Watch out guys, edgyman walking through!

I don't bite, i just rant.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I think that teachers should be able to talk about their religious beliefs in class, but only so long as their students have given them permission to do so, and have consented to listen. That way one could still have a discussion of religion without people feeling like their teacher is forcing his/her religious views down everyone's throat.

Also, teachers shouldn't be allowed to talk about religion at all in any of the lower grades, basically any time before middle school, or possibly even high school.

 

[powell86]

No, never. A teacher is in a position of authority that is exploitative. It's the same reason relationships between teachers and students are made illegal, because of the positions of power between teacher and student.

Just giving a teachers personal beliefs is not exploitative. If they make sure to state that it is not necessarily correct and all people are free to make their own choices. That way it becomes inconsequential to the class, just like stating your personal favorite sports team.[/quote]

I totally agree with this, but I guess from the authoritative POV it is hard to keep track whether something said is meant to be an informative session or a converting session. Sadly, the quest for efficiency result in a blanket ban of such activities so that they will be easily keep in check.

I guess the question becomes, do we trust our teachers enough to assume that most of them will not abuse their level of authority in indoctrinating the students should such ban is lifted? And even if we do not trust them, will the damage done to the students outweigh the benefits that students may get in informative sessions?

 

[artanis_neravar]

This

And also it's my personal opinion that as a teacher you should not impart your students opinions on ANY matter. Most importantly is show them various arguments and allow your students to formulate their own opinions. I so obviously hate it when my teachers mark me down for disagreeing with my arguments in essays. This is even more pervasive when i was in university.

I had this problem in college to, specifically an ethics class, I don't remember the exact question but I had a very strong opinion, that happened to be the opposite of what the teacher obviously though, and I did terrible on it, the teachers comments on it were actually about how my opinion was wrong too.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

If we're talking about a publicly-funded school in the US.... IF the teacher is asked directly and privately by a student and IF it is done in manner keeping with only explaining personal beliefs, not asserting that said beliefs are the objective truth but purely subjective and personal, I don't think the teacher could get in trouble for explaining his or her beliefs. In that situation, it is just an informal discussion, not preaching.

The reason I put the private discussion stipulation on there is because it prevents others from misconstruing the explanation and because the situation would only arise from personal curiosity and not in the context of a class. The reason I put the subjectivity stipulation on there is to ensure that the teacher does not go off on a religious (or other belief) soapbox.

So yes, following these guidelines, I think the teacher would be in the clear. Then again, I'm no lawyer. I do spend a lot of time thinking about stuff like this though. Civil rights and how religious practice fits in with them is something I try to keep up with.

If this is a private school, all bets are off. It's up to the school's own rules and regs in that case.

 

[Jodan]

they sould be allowed to explain their beleifs as an opinion no beleifs are facts not even mine(we ware human and cant know)
imposing beliefs upon students is different
though school is basically "imposing" state or staff aprooved beleifs on the students
but geography and gym class didnt start the crusades, thats why we dont question those classes. but this is basically a censorship issue and if people cant decide for themselves, and if you are mad at some one for choosing different than your no different than those crusaders no matter what faith you follow. we are all entitled to have and make our own opinions.

 

[powell86]

I had this problem in college to, specifically an ethics class, I don't remember the exact question but I had a very strong opinion, that happened to be the opposite of what the teacher obviously though, and I did terrible on it, the teachers comments on it were actually about how my opinion was wrong too.

Back on topic, seeing how many teachers are so anal about what they believe in = right, I kinda agree that authorities are right to outright ban teachers talking about religion. I mean yeah I see the benefits for well-informed discussions especially for a topic like religion which most won't even touch with a 10 foot pole. However, I highly doubt the feasibility of such event happening if my teachers/profs cannot even opinions different than theirs on less touchy subjects.

 

[rapidoud]

That's why we have RE classes, so the rest of us don't put up with the christianity/scientology BS.

 

[dragonhunter21]

Absolutely yes. As long as it isn't propaganda, I see why no reason why we shouldn't allow teachers to talk about their own viewpoints.

Now, when you start forcing religion on kids in publicly-funded schools, that's where I take great offense.