Poll: Teachers Not Allowed to Discuss Personal Religious Beliefs in Class
- Thread starter Tomster595
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It would be abused greatly.
There is absolutely no question.
If however we lived in an actual fantasy universe I'd say it would be fine because in that universe it wouldn't be abused feverishly across the entire US (or world depending on how far you want to stretch this question).
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I imagine the OP you responded to just meant faith in general was cultic. But on the flip side preaching to people when you should be working is usually a sign of uncontrollable belief which is rarely a safe thing.
There is absolutely no question.
If however we lived in an actual fantasy universe I'd say it would be fine because in that universe it wouldn't be abused feverishly across the entire US (or world depending on how far you want to stretch this question).
If an Atheist is made of straw they may wish to re-evaluate their beliefsKurt Cristal said:
.To be fair, if a person is using a position of power to convert people they are probably part of a cult.Canid117 said:
I imagine the OP you responded to just meant faith in general was cultic. But on the flip side preaching to people when you should be working is usually a sign of uncontrollable belief which is rarely a safe thing.
I don't see any problem with teachers discussing their religion or beliefs or whatever in class as long as they weren't trying to indoctrinate (although I did have a Christian substitute teacher who told me off for having a conversation with a friend about the existence of God and why I thought he didn't >_>).
I guess part of the problem is that if the teacher explained his/her religious beliefs and then later a student converted to said beliefs against his/her parent's beliefs, that teacher would be up shit creek without a paddle.
Yes, it should be allowed, but never during class, as class attendance is mandatory, and opinions are to be formed by an individual, without interference.
that's my $0.02 anyway
that's my $0.02 anyway
Depends on the situation. A brief explanation of the topic where everyone gets a chance to explain without an obvious attempt at mocking or belittling?
Of course.
A brief explanation that turns into a preacher session where anyone with a dissenting opinion is graded negatively for simply having that opinion, or singled out to be belittled for it while anyone sharing the teacher's opinion is graded positively and a circle-jerk begins?
Fuck no.
Of course.
A brief explanation that turns into a preacher session where anyone with a dissenting opinion is graded negatively for simply having that opinion, or singled out to be belittled for it while anyone sharing the teacher's opinion is graded positively and a circle-jerk begins?
Fuck no.
I actually work as a teacher. And I teach religion for 5th graders. I have been asked my views, and I have explained them.
There is a rule that teachers are not allowed to...er...I'm not sure if preach is the right word, but I hope you get my meaning. We are not allowed to try to convince students to take a specific faith to heart.
This I find completely OK. And I try to be as neutral as possible when I teach. One of the most important lessons in our religion class is the ability to accept that other people believe different than yourself.
That said I would probably refuse to be a religion-teacher if we could not discuss subjects like good and evil with the students. Those are the most interesting questions to discuss, and the religion-class is one of the best places to have these discussions.
There is a rule that teachers are not allowed to...er...I'm not sure if preach is the right word, but I hope you get my meaning. We are not allowed to try to convince students to take a specific faith to heart.
This I find completely OK. And I try to be as neutral as possible when I teach. One of the most important lessons in our religion class is the ability to accept that other people believe different than yourself.
That said I would probably refuse to be a religion-teacher if we could not discuss subjects like good and evil with the students. Those are the most interesting questions to discuss, and the religion-class is one of the best places to have these discussions.
No they should not, they can discuss religion at will but noone should be pushing their own beliefs, ofcourse everyone does be it religion or something else.
I chose the "under certain conditions" option. When I read the original question, I thought (for no logical reason) we were talking about elementary school classrooms. When the students are young (say, below 13) I don't think the teachers should be telling them what they believe for fear the students would associate the teacher's stated opinion with a taught fact. I am sure there are many 13 yr old (and younger) individuals who are firmly rooted in their beliefs and this wouldn't phase them, but I am equally sure there are some that are still very impressionable at that age (I have 6 younger siblings....I know of what I speak). In the OP case, I think it detracts from the student's educational experience to inhibit the teacher from saying what they personally believe. I had similar experiences to the OP where I felt like I was being cheated out of a great discussion because the teacher didn't want to get fired. when the students are old enough to think for themselves, how is exposing them to multiple belief systems anything BUT beneficial to their education? Unless the teacher is marking them wrong because they disagree with their opinion, of course (which happened in almost every literature course I ever took and pissed me off every time). When I was a student, I never felt like my opinion was any less valid that my teacher's because I was a student. If we held different viewpoints, I enjoyed debating and discussing with my peers/teachers.
Looking over this post, it appears a bit jumbled. Sorry, guys. To clarify, in a situation where it is a friendly discussion between individuals who are in it strictly for the intellectual stimulation, I think allowing the teacher to express their opinion is a good thing. In a situation where the teacher is using their position of authority to influence the beliefs of the students, it should certainly not be allowed (and any teacher who would deliberately do that really shouldn't be teaching anyways).
Looking over this post, it appears a bit jumbled. Sorry, guys. To clarify, in a situation where it is a friendly discussion between individuals who are in it strictly for the intellectual stimulation, I think allowing the teacher to express their opinion is a good thing. In a situation where the teacher is using their position of authority to influence the beliefs of the students, it should certainly not be allowed (and any teacher who would deliberately do that really shouldn't be teaching anyways).
To me of course they should be allowed to express their opinions, so long as they don't push it as fact, or the only option. They're people in the end, and should have the same rights as anyone else.
The above is a bad sign, you should never be marked down for disagreeing on a topic, so long as you can make your case clearly.
The above is a bad sign, you should never be marked down for disagreeing on a topic, so long as you can make your case clearly.
OP's example: yes
But the teacher MUST take responsibility and accountability and be VERY careful to express their views and not use their authority as a teacher to (inadvertently) undermine the student's views that could be atheistic, agnostic or.
Couldn't go for option (1) or (2) as they are both absolutes, and you should ALWAYS be wary of absolutes when it comes to limiting freedom of speech, and that goes both ways. You cannot allow teachers to be able to say anything or they will abuse that power, and so the regulators cannot completley prohibit it as that is an absolute power they will abuse.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Teachers need to remember that they are a PROFESSION! They are NOT glorified babysitters, they need to have the competence to find the best balance, take personal responsibility and have an accountable infrastructure to make sure that:
(a) they do not slip into evangelising
(b) they do not fail as a teacher in educating children (that includes knowledge of their own beliefs)
But the teacher MUST take responsibility and accountability and be VERY careful to express their views and not use their authority as a teacher to (inadvertently) undermine the student's views that could be atheistic, agnostic or.
Couldn't go for option (1) or (2) as they are both absolutes, and you should ALWAYS be wary of absolutes when it comes to limiting freedom of speech, and that goes both ways. You cannot allow teachers to be able to say anything or they will abuse that power, and so the regulators cannot completley prohibit it as that is an absolute power they will abuse.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Teachers need to remember that they are a PROFESSION! They are NOT glorified babysitters, they need to have the competence to find the best balance, take personal responsibility and have an accountable infrastructure to make sure that:
(a) they do not slip into evangelising
(b) they do not fail as a teacher in educating children (that includes knowledge of their own beliefs)
It's a very positive rule. Can you imagine the level of shit-storm if someone was found out to be a Scientologist?
As long as they're a good teacher, there should be no need for their personal beliefs to come out, especially in the teaching. A Jehovah's Witness can still talk about giving blood without doing it themselves.
As long as they're a good teacher, there should be no need for their personal beliefs to come out, especially in the teaching. A Jehovah's Witness can still talk about giving blood without doing it themselves.
My RE (Religious Education) teacher doesn't really discuss his personal beliefs in class but I never thought there was a rule for it, I just thought he didn't want to. He talks to me and debates with me in his office however about Philosophy and stuff. I wonder if this rule applies in the UK?
It would be abused more often than not, and really, a teacher can teach just as well without bringing it up, and can still foster discussion. I'm gonna say no.
Unless you're in Ireland, of course. The vast majority of state-schools here are run by religious orders, even to this day. Every school I have been to has had a mission statement to the effect of 'we wish to instil the values of of our Lord Jesus Christ'. As well as the 'spirit of enquiry and independent thinking', which is an oil/water kind of scenario.AGrey said:
This ^^Arontala said:
its because by that age kids should be old enough to think for themselves and make their own decisions on such things like faith so it should be allowed to be discussed at that age plus, but it should have to be relevant to the discussion because otherwise there would be nothing stopping them from preaching their religion which could conflict with your religion which could open a huge can of worms and potentially completely ruin class for the day for EVERYBODY.
