well i am with you i don't believe in it it would only start more fights in schools

It's not, just like the study of Evolution shouldn't be in schools. Nobody should be forced to study either belief.

The problem comes when "education" turns into indoctrination. I think it is a great idea to teach that there are many religions in the world, and explore some of their beliefs, especially in the younger grades. Some children have been so brainwashed by their parents they don't even realize that many other people don't believe the same thing they do. What is wrong is when someone tries to teach one particular religion and claim that it is the right one.

One could teach a different religion every week and not give equal coverage to all of them. If one is taught, then all must be taught. Druids would be my favorite class.

Because a balanced, informed decision is a valid one. If you're offered all the different takes on 'god', then you can decide for yourself. I am against organised religion by the way. Totally against it. But that doesn't mean other people should be too. They should be able to decide for themselves.

I believe that religious education should be taught in public schools, though I am not religious, because I think I graduated high school completely un-educated about the majority of the political realities of my time. I think they should have a world religions class covering different religions to help offset this glaring oversite in my ability to be a good citizen of the world. I also think that the subject of creationism and intelligent design already come up in science classes, and should at least "talked about" explicitly in the classroom. What the textbook decides to include and leave out are often direct arguments dealing with these issues, indoctrinating children the world around into these viewpoints. I just feel that instead of dirty tricks these arguments that are already in the textbook should come out in the open. I believe that what children need is critical thinking skills, not indoctrination. And whether you consider creationism or intelligent design "science" or just "the culture of biology", I think it is an important political reality that we should all be educated about when we graduate. It wouldn't have to be an extended discussion within these classes, but something brief. I think its possible to discuss an issue without trying to persuade somebody to join a side!! And if religion made its way into school in some way, this is how it would have to be taught, but I am strongly in favor of it. I think future generations will make fun of this taboo of ours, religion in school. Just my opinion, just for the simple fact that it can be taught without persuasion. What, is knowledge scary or something? Do we have something to be afraid of from it?

Teaching religion is fine, preaching it is not. It's like psychology - you want your child to know the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath, but you don't want him becoming either. Of course, most people who want more religious education really want religious indoctrination, and feel that religious education helps to pave the way for that. So there's your answer there. ;)

I'm all for comparative religion classes in public schools. Just keep religion out of science classes.

I think so. I think it's important to learn about different religions. I go to public school anyway, but it's a public, Catholic school. We get RE twice a week, and throughout the six years you learn about religion, and the effects of religion...and it allows you to make up your own mind. I think it's good.

It's an unfortunate side effect of assuming that one is absolutely right in the absence of any evidence.

a well-educated person needs instruction in all aspects of life/society, including physical education, math/science education, language/arts/humanities education, and etc. having said that i think matters of morals and religion are best absorbed by the student when they are not merely taught by a teacher, but lived, at home. peace.

A very dangerous combination used very effectively by the Nazi propaganda machine and the current Christian Creationist movement - by leveraging ignorance with indoctrination and fear. +6

They already have the religion of Evolution taught in the public schools. Creation Science should be taught as well to balance this. Evolution is faith masquerading as Science. It is unobservable and unable to be replicated, therefore at odds with the scientific method.

Because, it's more "right" than "left"? Hehe, funny puns.

I think it is ok to offer an optional course ABOUT religion in a public school (comparative religion, belief systems, history), but it's not ok to tell people what to BELIEVE in schools. Remember that students are FORCED to go to school. Would it be ok if you were forced to go to school and forced to believe in Allah? in Buddah? In Hashem? In Jesus?

Oddly enough, the people that believe that are the very same ones who believe that a sky daddy is taking care of them

Teaching about it is fine for various reasons, but it shouldn't turn into conversion. :/

i dont believe it u just have to beleive that their are only humans singla dont classify them on diversity

It's usually the same lot that also believes that thinking in church is wrong

if they can teach evolution why not religion? if it offends someone then i say this- evolution offends me.

Religious education in public is not wrong. There's nothing wrong with kids learning about religions in public school. There IS something wrong when those children are taught which religion to believe in or to teach them that any of the religions are factual.