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

[TheTaco007]

Teachers should not be allowed to discuss religious beliefs. Children look up to teachers and learn from them. If we allow teachers to talk about their religious views in class, we allow them to influence what our children believe, and that's not something I'd want for my hypothetical children.

Talking about things like evolution in a science class, on the other hand, is fine, since that isn't a religious thing, that's straight science.

EDIT: Maybe in High School or College it'd be OK, but in like elementary school? No fucking way.

 

[TheTaco007]

Absolutely, but only if the teacher is presenting it as his own beliefs and doesn't enforce it onto others.

The problem is that EVERYTHING ANYONE says influences EVERYONE who hears it. ESPECIALLY at a young age. And coming from an authority figure that people are supposed to look up to, this goes doubly.

 

[Rienimportant]

Sure, I think so. I mean, I went to high school at a private school, and they were a bit easier about letting teachers talk about that sort of thing.
I think that if it has a place in a discussion that really has an educative purpose, it ought to be allowed.
But I do worry about the idea of teachers using it to act as a soapbox for their own beliefs. I had an American Govt. class like that, I barely learned anything about the government, but I learned all about how much my prof. dislikes conservatives and his views on government. Realllllly useful.

 

[PolygonPimp]

As long as they do not go off constantly preaching about it, and do not get in the faces of students who do not care to listen to their religious views, then absolutely. Like I said, as long as it doesn't offend people of other religions, or the teacher isn't actively trying to convert people, let people be people.

 

[The Seldom Seen Kid]

Absolutely, but only if the teacher is presenting it as his own beliefs and doesn't enforce it onto others.

The problem is that EVERYTHING ANYONE says influences EVERYONE who hears it. ESPECIALLY at a young age. And coming from an authority figure that people are supposed to look up to, this goes doubly.

If anybody is that influencable, they don't deserve to have their own opinions.

(N pred sedgetE. I swear my captcha is just trolling me now.

 

[Labcoat Samurai]

So my question to you is: Should teachers be allowed to discuss their own religious beliefs in the classroom, and if so under what circumstances? My answer is obviously yes, especially under this circumstance where the teacher was directly asked by a student.

The teacher's personal opinion runs the risk of being assumed to be "the right answer" by students, and letting students think that way is counterproductive.

In my situation, it was a high school senior, an 18 year old, asking specifically for a BELIEF. I feel that at this level, we can certainly separate the teacher's belief from the "correct answer."

Then I think you quoted the wrong part of my post. I answered that particular concern when I said:

Well, unfortunately, there are some circumstances where, with the right teacher and the right class, it may be acceptable to share some of these things. But I'm not sure we can trust the judgment of all teachers to be sound enough to identify those circumstances. An inviolable rule may not fit every scenario, but I think it does more good than harm.

 

[TheTaco007]

Absolutely, but only if the teacher is presenting it as his own beliefs and doesn't enforce it onto others.

The problem is that EVERYTHING ANYONE says influences EVERYONE who hears it. ESPECIALLY at a young age. And coming from an authority figure that people are supposed to look up to, this goes doubly.

If anybody is that influencable, they don't deserve to have their own opinions.

(N pred sedgetE. I swear my captcha is just trolling me now.

.... You're saying you weren't gullible as an 8 year old?

And I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks ANYONE doesn't deserve to have an opinion is an asshole, and doesn't get my respect.

 

[monstersquad]

Absolutely not. There should be an open discourse, but people should also be able to study free of what may or may not become proselytizing. There's nothing saying that the discussion can't either be contained in an email or discussed outside of class.

 

[TheTaco007]

Teachers should not be allowed to discuss religious beliefs. Children look up to teachers and learn from them. If we allow teachers to talk about their religious views in class, we allow them to influence what our children believe, and that's not something I'd want for my hypothetical children.

Talking about things like evolution in a science class, on the other hand, is fine, since that isn't a religious thing, that's straight science.

EDIT: Maybe in High School or College it'd be OK, but in like elementary school? No fucking way.

Did you READ the OP? He's 18 and in last year of high school.

Yes, I did. The question, however, was about teachers in general, not specifically 12th grade teachers, especially since in a lot of high schools classes aren't separated by grade. If you legally allow teachers to talk about religion in schools, you WILL wind up influencing people at LEAST as young as 13-14. Maybe even younger. There is no way to enforce who specifically a teacher can talk to about this, and therefore it's not a good idea.

 

[Peteron]

I believe they are allowed to discuss their faith, but only to a certain extent. I really would not like someone preaching in the classroom when they should be educating students. Kids aren't there to convert, but rather to learn. But there is nothing wrong with simply stating one's faith.

 

[Plurralbles]

I think a lot of these comments don't have a fucking idea what they're talking about.

I think it's perfectly fine for a student to ask a teacher's faith and be given a real answer. Holy, shit, they could actually learn something about something that is important to others! Holy shit! Now THAT'S evil!

 

[ace_of_something]

Good god no. I'm related to and friends with a surprising amount of teachers. People practically want their heads on a platter for trying to teach them mundane things. I can't imagine the shitstorm.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

yes, i do think they should, whether or not you are religious, i think they do coincide with what your moral obligations/views are and to not be able to discuss one thing really chops off the possibility of a good debate depending on certain views and whatnot, and its always fun to get to know teachers better.

 

[Custard_Angel]

Should teachers be allowed to discuss their faith with students? Absolutely.

Should teachers be allowed to force their faith on students? No.

As long as things are handled in an objective manner (insofar as objectivity can be extended to personal belief), there's no problem with it.

If not, where does it stop? Can teachers discuss sexuality? Can they discuss political philosophies? Can they talk about the hobbies they like to do over the weekend?

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Normally I'm against censorship of free speech, but, yeah. Their job is to teach, not to preach.

well depending on what subject your teaching (science and math obviously are based on facts and data)


but most other subjects are subjective and opininated, just because the teacher believes something doesn't mean that everyone else does, and vise versa, so isn't that technically preaching also?

(i'm partially relating this to english class..the teacher felt so heavily about some of the most dumb shit on the planet)

 

[TheTaco007]

Normally I'm against censorship of free speech, but, yeah. Their job is to teach, not to preach.

well depending on what subject your teaching (science and math obviously are based on facts and data)


but most other subjects are subjective and opininated, just because the teacher believes something doesn't mean that everyone else does, and vise versa, so isn't that technically preaching also?

(i'm partially relating this to english class..the teacher felt so heavily about some of the most dumb shit on the planet)

While true, it's hard to state an opinion in a way that doesn't encourage people to share that opinion. I think that they should probably only be allowed to discuss religion in college, since most people are far too impressionable before that.

 

[Double A]

Absolutely if a student asks them about it. I get pissed when my teachers can't say what they believe in. Sure, some would try to use it to their cause, but if there's a "Only if students ask" clause, it wouldn't be nearly as abused. I like knowing my teachers' opinions.

I think they should. My teachers do minor religious discussion, in english. It s here that most people found out I'm atheist, and honestly it mainly comes down to me and my teacher talking. Since everyone is is just sitting there.

It's funny like that. People who are atheist or agnostic usually end up doing most of the discussion. Or people with libertarian views in a political class.

It's completely outrageous that those of us who formulate independent opinions would ever be better at discussing personal views.

 

[MagusVulpes]

When I was in my senior year of high school, a discussion came up about religion, much like in your case. Our teacher, an awesome woman (proven by the fact that she played DnD in the 80's and watched Doctor Who) told us she wasn't allowed to discuss it with us. The class found that to be ridiculous. I still do.

It's one thing if a teacher uses the classroom as a soapbox, it's another if it's to ACTUALLY instruct. There are many different forms of faith and belief and the idea that those who have lived a life in this faith or that can't discuss why they live their lives that way merely makes it more restrictive.

If we really want religious tolerance, it has to start with the youngest generation. Letting them know that it's okay to disagree with each other. The fact that teacher's are NOT ALLOWED to discuss their faith teaches kids that you shouldn't talk about religion and different doctrines. Religion is something that should be encouraged to be discussed, openly and without fear of punishment from others. That's the only way for tolerance to grow, to let them know there is not 'right or wrong' when it comes to discussions so long as you aren't trying to beat them over the head with your beliefs.