This makes me feel ill.

[Dragonium]

Seconded. We're half a step from someone saying "well here's my opinion on religion", and that is a slippery and faeces-coated slope.

[fruckert]

Suffice to say I really only feel comfortable with actual scientists deciding what to teach our children.
My views on religion don't have anything to do with it.

[Prpl_Mage]

Interesting enough I just watched a Simpson episode where Flanders and Lovejoy decides to demand the school to teach creationism.
Great timing, great episode.

[Natako]

Suffice to say I really only feel comfortable with actual scientists deciding what to teach our children.
My views on religion don't have anything to do with it.

This is pretty much how I feel.

One of the great things about the US is that we've always been allowed to believe whatever we want, or not believe at all. That was the reason that the settlers escaped Europe to begin with - religious persecution. Remember that? I just can't stand it when people try to take away that basic freedom. Private schools exist for a reason. Besides, one of the glorious things about science is that it's built around theories. So you don't believe in the Big Bang Theory? Fine. So you don't believe in evolution? If that's what you believe, great. But in a school setting where you have many different people with many different views, science is the only thing that's appropriate to teach as it is based on observations and logic and generally does a good job of explaining the world we live in. I mean, if you look around you, there's practically nothing that would exist if not for scientific research. In that sense, it worries me that textbooks would be printed by people who aren't completely objective about science.

Well, I'm not sure that this post made any sense. I'm tired, ok?

And Purple, that is quite a coincidence. That's kind of awesome. XD

[drenrin2120]

Made perfect sense to me.

[zuhane]

Well put, Natako.

[Cerebus]

Your pennies say "In God we trust".
Therefore, you all believe in God. Your pennies say it. They speak for everyone, and you know money's always right. Always.

Seriously though, extremists trying impose their beliefs, whether atheists or believers, should b persecuted.
Young children shouldn't be forced into believing, or not believing. It's a choice, not a rule.
Or something.
Yeah...

[SaiKar]

Science, in a way, has a lot of trust in it. The more I am in a technical field and I find my theoretical conclusions not matching up with my experimental results, and have to keep reminding myself "well, there are variable at play here that I'm not aware of. Probably" the more it feels like a religion in itself. Gotta have faith that physics and thermodynamics aren't messing with me!

But, even as a Christian, I do believe that religion should stay out of the classroom. You cannot be taught true faith. If you believe, great, you can learn more. But children don't really have the proper mental understanding of what's at stake when dealing with God and other religious matters. I'm proof that the system works - I became a Christian in college. And I'm glad I grew up an atheist, because at least I learned what that means, not to mention some actual science in school.

[drenrin2120]

I...

*sigh*

I just don't understand why people who have faith feel the need to point out how much better off they are then everyone else because of it. Like I'm missing out and I'll "grow up" eventually.

EDIT: I'm aware of Archem's rule I've broken and that I am generalizing.

[SaiKar]

... that was not in any way the impression I was trying to give people about my faith.

[Dragonium]

I was a hardcore atheist from 13 to 16, spent a while as an agnostic when I realised what a presumptuous cock I was being ("there's no proof either way, but I know there's no God!"), and in the past couple of years I've formulated my beliefs, come to my own conclusions and settled into a faith that suits me. And while I agree with what (I think) Dren is trying to say, that religion is not "always better", I'm much more comfortable now.

I live with a Catholic and a militant atheist. I get stick from both sides. It's all jokes. Religion is like dress sense. If you don't care and don't want to make the effort, that's fine. If you want to follow the herd, that's fine too. If you want to be wacky and outrageous, that's also fine. Do whatever.

But of course, this thread isn't about religion.

[drenrin2120]

If you believe, great, you can learn more.

Sorry, I'm just a bit touchy about this. I don't think you really look down on anyone or think you're better off then them. I know you didn't mean it. Personally, though, almost every religious person I've ever talked to has taken this stance very boldly. And by bold I mean, to the point of almost laughing. This includes my mother, which is probably the most awkward thing ever.

Still, I respect people's decisions to do what they will. I'm even happy for them for finding a place or belief they can stand by. That's a rare thing.

BUT OF COURSE...

this thread isn't about religion.

I forget myself.

[SaiKar]

I meant that, if you believe in the religion, you can learn more about the religion on your own outside the classroom and from other people and that is the best way to learn it. Um. I'm not sure exactly how you're taking it to be honest.

[drenrin2120]

I thought you were suggesting faith helps your studies. haha, which I should've realized contradicts exactly what you were saying. As I said, I didn't think you meant anything by it, which you obviously didn't.

[Prpl_Mage]

"When you think you know everything about faith and religion - you actually know nothing" Is something my teacher used to say.
We had a bunch of people who were all "This is Christianity, this is how to gain heaven" And that was it. Same with the muslim counterpart and then some hardcore atheists who were all "When you die, you rot and get eaten by worms. Life is meaningless and all about monetary gain, your choices in life means and affects nothing and science proves that god don't exist".
Kids follow the flow, that's no lie. So their truth about faith will merely be what people tell them. So it's kinda natural that people starts pondering about god and faith as they grow up. I'm not saying that people will get religious of all things as they mature but rather that all things in life comes into consideration all of a sudden.

Growing up as anything - vegetarian, religious or whatever will more or less just make you take on what the people around you say. Realizing what your own belief is later on is pretty up to each and every one. Over here we like to point out that religion is an individual matter, that no one should interfere in what you believe and only you can find the road to your own salvation. (Our churches are rather flexible that way, gaming nights are also fun).