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

[aashell13]

well, to say teachers absolutely can't discuss personal beliefs in class is probably a violation of free speech, at least in the US.

Personally, as long as the discussion doesn't significantly detract from whatever lesson is being taught, i.e. not wasting valuable class time on tangents, then I don't have a problem with it.

Also, barring teachers, or anyone else for that matter, from discussing beliefs in front of your children simply because those beliefs might be different from your own is unwise for two reasons: Firstly, there's no way to make a robust policy out of that. One man's gospel truth is another man's dangerous heresy, and school districts cannot and should not be made to judge between the two. Secondly, as a parent, YOU hold primary responsibility for your child. If you have a particular set of beliefs that you wish to pass on, or guard your child against, the onus is on you and no one else to accomplish that. Contrary to popular opinion school is not a substitute for active parenting.

 

[triggrhappy94]

There are knee-jerks on either side of this, whether people are complaining that one religion is talked about enough or religion in general is being brought up.

This is how , at least I fell, it should be, and how I've observed it at my school...
As a student I have the right to be informed of religions, especially in a historical setting.
And, as a human and as an educator, Teachers have the right to talk openly about their views and religion.
However, they are overstepping the line when they teach a religious belief as fact, or try to recruit students.

This is one of the reasons why teacher have tenure.

 

[teebeeohh]

i want to say yes but some asshole would abuse this by including just how awesome his religion is at every turn.

 

[Dfskelleton]

It's a free country, say what you want. If you want to talk to your students about what you believe in, go on ahead. However, he probably should, like said before, give multiple oppinions on the topic and let the students decide what they think. Otherwise, I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[viking97]

yes, but only to talk about it for the sake of talking about it. if they try to push it on anyone, they should get a severe reprimand if not immediate termination.

unless its a private school, i guess.

 

[pearcinator]

Im studying to become a Primary School Teacher and things are really getting out of hand.

Teachers are not even allowed to touch the children, not even a pat on the back or shake their hand cos it could be interpretted as child molesting. Its total bullshit. I mean, sure there are some teachers out there that are fucked in the head like that but 99.9% of teachers aren't.

As for this religion one, I dont see the problem with teachers saying their beliefs. As long as they don't argue their beliefs against evolution or try to convert students. Its all because of Parents that Teachers have these strict rules to follow. Whingy parents complaining that their kid skinned their knee at school leads to games and activities being banned (like bullrush and dodgeball etc.)

 

[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)

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.

very true, but i try to encourage others to share their opinion in a constructive way.

meh i could agree that your paying for college so yes everything should go for discussion wise, but in high school we had very *flame worthy* topics discussed in my a.p. classes all the time, and it usually ended up in a discussion well had and some of my most memorable moments from high school.

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

No.

As soon as a teacher tells students something like that, it makes the students think the teacher may be biased, and it guides them in one direction or another.

 

[Torrasque]

Most religious people would like to say religious opinion is religious fact but I won't get into that.

It really depends on two important things: what kind of school you are in, and what kind of class you are in.
If you are in a Catholic school for instance, then your teacher does not have to be Catholic, but should not express anti-Catholic opinions if he wants to keep his job. Just like if you're an American Senator, you shouldn't talk about how stupid the American public can be, if you want to remain an American Senator.
If you are in a non-Catholic (or any kind of religion) school, then it would still be a good idea to not express any anti-religious sentiments, or even pro-religious sentiments, because kids are malleable and might take on your religious opinions. I believe an individual's beliefs are their individual beliefs and should be determined by that individual. Blah blah, I'll try not to get off topic.

Next point, depends what class.
If you are in a Religion class, then the teacher should focus on teaching the material as it is meant to be taught. That is neither "This religion is amazing!" or "This religion is shit!". The teacher should just teach the 'facts' about the religion, and let the student decide.
If you are in a non-Religion class, then by all means, talk about whatever the hell you want. In my Social class, we talked about everything about my teacher's crazy room mates in College, to why Vladimir Lenin is a cool guy, to why Catholicism is silly. This was at a Catholic school, but my teacher was really awesome and we all respected him.

My only question for you OP, is: Why the hell did "talk about what good and evil is" turn into "lets talk about religion" ?
They are completely different things. If you disagree, you need to take a few philosophy classes in post-secondary to realize this.

 

[Kakashi on crack]

If its for the value of discussion, or in the whole purpose of education and everything, then I don't mind for the most part. My teachers tend to ignore diswtrict policy in this aspect if its for the purpouse of education and such.

These laws were mostly made to protect students from religious nutcases, they just took it a step further and said "eliminate religion in schools" is all.

 

[Random Argument Man]

A teacher should be able to talk about his religion, but not push it on his students.


I'm tired of the conception that every teacher must act like society defined them. They point the finger at us to be a symbol and forget the fact that we're only human.

 

[Tdc2182]

There's a big difference between talking about what religion you are and preaching your religion.

"I'm Christian" as opposed to "I'm Christian because it's the true religion"

I had a teacher these past few years that told us how he was a very lenient Christian who didn't trust jack shit from the Vatican.

 

[loc978]

I say no. A teacher should be a professional focused on helping students learn. The teacher's personal opinions and beliefs should never enter into their lessons. If a student asks about a detail of a religion the teacher happens to follow, by all means they should impart what knowledge they have... but never from the position of a believer. In my opinion, a teacher should never be allowed to personally profess any subjective belief. If their curriculum is subjective, they should only impart knowledge of subject matter and assist students in figuring out what questions to ask. Providing concrete definitions for "right and wrong" is not the job of a professional teacher. "Lawful and illegal" should be the closest thing they teach.

 

[Scars Unseen]

well, to say teachers absolutely can't discuss personal beliefs in class is probably a violation of free speech, at least in the US.

Just the opposite. It's the whole 'separation of church and state' thing. If the state tries to dictate religion it would be a violation of the first amendment, and since a public school teacher is in a position of state funded authority...

Off hours? Discuss whatever you want. But when you are earning your tax-funded paycheck, keep your beliefs to yourself. Religious brainwashing is a parent's job.

 

[drisky]

Not much of a place in class for religion, unless in a circumstance like in the OP, its relevant to discussion and can facilitate the learning. But policies are in place for a reason, although I still don't like that they can't say the pledge of allegiance, just because of the word God.

 

[FalloutJack]

Easy answer. It's okay if it's relevent.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I don't think they should because children are very easily influenced and despite the fact that your situation was innocent it could be abused.

My RE teacher was a wicca although she would only admit to that outside school of course. She was a great person and taught about all religions with equal fervor.

Nice woman.

 

[Spiny Norman]

well, to say teachers absolutely can't discuss personal beliefs in class is probably a violation of free speech, at least in the US.

Just the opposite. It's the whole 'separation of church and state' thing. If the state tries to dictate religion it would be a violation of the first amendment, and since a public school teacher is in a position of state funded authority...

Off hours? Discuss whatever you want. But when you are earning your tax-funded paycheck, keep your beliefs to yourself. Religious brainwashing is a parent's job.

The issue is not a teacher who is proselytizing to students but if a teacher is allowed in any circumstances to reveal his religious beliefs. If it is relevant to the lesson or if students ask out of simple curiosity and the teacher feels comfortable informing them, it would seem OK that that the teacher could divulge his religious beliefs. It's just simple trivia at that point. Where it would cross the line is if the teacher was talking about how his religious views are vindicated or "better" than other religious views.