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by AntigoneRising on April 9th, 2007

AntigoneRising

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Should Wicca be taught in the public school system? Why or why not?

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  • by weezypops on April 9th, 2007

    weezypops

    In a religious education class, I don't see why not. I tend to think all relgion should be taught in a 'some people believe this' sort of way rather than saying something is the truth. Perhaps more time should be dedicated to the bigger, more popular religions as more people believe them, but i think less popular things should be taught too, as should atheism. R.E. should give you as broad a spectrum of beliefs as possible.


    Edit: I'm basing my answer on the UK, where there are Religious Education classes that look at the beliefs and practises of all sorts of people.

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  • by Athrael on April 9th, 2007

    Athrael

    Only if we are going to teach other other ten million other religions along with it.

    Banning religion in school is the only "safe" way to go since nobody wants their kid being taught other "wrong" religions. Although certain groups do want everybody to be brainwashed, er I mean taught their Brand of Faith - few are open to being taught other brands of faith.

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  • by mousegirl27 on April 9th, 2007

    mousegirl27

    I think that if a school is going to explain religions, Wicca should be included. It is important to have an understanding of the world around you and different religions are part of that. Certainly, this is what our public school system is for. I think it would help to alleviate discrimination, and especially discrimination formed from knowledge that is wrong. If a school is not going to teach about religions I do not think Wicca should be taught about.

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  • by ImNotLikeYou on April 10th, 2007

    ImNotLikeYou

    Well yeah, I think that kids should be taught that Wicca exists (that would helpful around my home because nobody seems to get it even though there are so many of us) and that it's an option. But the only way I can see that happening is in a religous studies class or somehting. But if Wicca isn't making the curiculum, then niether should any other religion.

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  • by Midnighttoker on April 9th, 2007

    Midnighttoker

    i think they should be taught that there are many religions. that no single one is right or wrong and to be open to all.

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  • by mekare on April 9th, 2007

    mekare

    since its considered a religion and religion is not allowed in public schools i would say no.

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  • by daisymae19 on April 10th, 2007

    daisymae19

    nope, it is a religion and the constitution prohibits teaching religion in publc school.

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  • by Tom on April 9th, 2007

    Tom

    Good question.

    I don't think it should be taught as fact (not in a Science lesson or anything like that), because like all religions there is no real proof and I feel it is wrong to brain wash children into following a particular faith as the truth through schooling - this should be a decision left to the individual.

    However, I do think children should learn about religious diversity in order to prevent prejudice and discrimination amongst people of different beliefs. I think children should be taught about main stream religions and systems of belief such as Christianity, Atheism, Agnosticism, Islam, Buddhism etc etc. I feel through this Wicca could be covered and explored for a short period. After all, it is as valid as any other religion of system of belief. However I think to concentrate a large amount of time on it would not be worthwhile, at least, in my opinion. This is because although Wicca is a legitimate form of beliefs, it is not hugely mainstream and therefore I feel the chances of someone encountering a follower of Wicca are quite slim (as oppossed to others, if you see what I mean). Still, I feel a basic understanding of as many cultures, religions and systems of belief (including Wicca) as possible should be taught in order to better our society as a whole.

    Will this ever happen [properly]? I doubt it.

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  • by Halskiisaklink on May 1st, 2007

    Halskiisaklink

    Yes, most definitely. A broader education encourages and stimulates children so as to interact more vociferously with their every-day environment, and helps them relate to wider affairs.

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  • by Caffenated llama of flourescent doom on February 21st, 2008

    Caffenated llama of flourescent doom

    If there is a religious studies class, yes. If its teaching them the religion randomly, or trying to convert, no. One, because its wrong to force views, and two one of the major points of Wicca is to not recruit.

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  • by Anonymous on May 17th, 2007

    Anonymous

    Hi there AR! Long time...
    I just wanted throw in my two cents here. I have never studied or practiced Wicca myself, not for any reason except I just have never crossed that path. However, while in high school I did have a class called World Cultures, where I think that the subject would have fit in nicely. It would have provided an opportunity to explore how it fit into history and how it is currently practiced and what it fulfills for those who practice(d) it. Also, for the record, since this question seems to have stirred up some heat, I'd like to share that I went to a private Christian school.

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  • by P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines on May 1st, 2007

    P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines

    If you're talking about as the religion of chioce, no way. That would totally violate the separation of church and state. And I don't believe in that for any religion. And if you thought the debate about sex education and Evolution was was bad wait till you add religion.
    Now, if the the curiculum for social studies and history had a section where they covered religions as a extention of the culture of the people studied I would be fully agreeable. This needs to be taught so that we can start to have more religious understanding and tolerance of other beliefs. But only if the teacher is able to keep to the set curiculum and keep personal beliefs out of it. And when you think about it this would be the best way to handle it because a lot of children have questions and most parents are ignorant of other's beliefs. So who else are they going to turn too? But we would have to be very carefull about how this is done so that we don't overly influence the children one way or the other.

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  • by zee-ster on April 10th, 2007

    zee-ster

    no. i don't think any religion should be taught in the public schools. private schools or universities are a different matter. but, for public schools, i beleive in seperation of church and state.

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  • by Anonymous on April 9th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I don't think so. We're not taught religion in public schools so why would Wicca be an exception? If we had a class of diverse religions, than yes, Wicca should be taught too.

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  • by monique_minx on April 13th, 2008

    monique_minx

    Well in the Australian school system Religious Education is taught mostly in primary school but also in high school. However it really shouldn't be called Religious Education in Australia cause it's more like Christian Education, they only teach you about one religion.
    That's wrong.
    It shouldn't be taught at all if they're going to be one sided about things, I felt like I had been brainwashed when I got old enough to realize all the things I had learnt in R.E. Kids aren't stupid, often or not they won't end up following their parents so if the kids aren't allowed to make their own decision about their religion then no one else has the right to either.
    I say teach all of the religions or none of them.
    The education system is bias when it comes to religion, it's almost like we're still living in the 16th century.

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  • by Norman_Outside the lines on July 5th, 2007

    Norman_Outside the lines

    if it is a Wiccan school yes. ( like a Catholic schiool teaches Catholic religion or a Baptist grade school teaches Baptist religion, then YES a Wiccan school should teach the Wiccan Beliefs.) I wish all beliefs were brought up or gone over (NOT TAUGHT OR PREACHED) but explained during my school years, I had NO knowledge of what some other faiths believed and had NO KNOWLEDGE at all of the wiccan faith . (thats not a well rounded education)
    interesting concept +6.

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  • by MoJo on June 1st, 2007

    MoJo

    Personally, I think religion should be taught at home or go to schools dedicated to only teaching religions. There are so many religious congragations that none of them get the time deserved to be taught or recognized. Just touching base on certian religions is unfair to the many others out there.

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  • by LynfromNM on May 17th, 2007

    LynfromNM

    I think Wicca deserves the same consideration as any other belief system in the public schools. In a comparative religion class, or in general discussion about religion that may arise in the study of history or social science, I think it's completely appropriate to discuss the contribution of Wicca to civilization.

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  • by weatherman taking week or so off on May 17th, 2007

    weatherman taking week or so off

    No moreso than any other religion.

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  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 11th, 2007

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    I don't think so for one simple reason. How will we find qualified teachers to give an accurate portrayal/depiction of Wicca? I mean, we can't even get Christianity right and many parts of the country seem to think that it's the official religion of the US.

    Wait, it's a non-issue. You see, GW has actually stated outright that, "... Wicca is not a religion.", so any school that wants to teach alternative religions doesn't ned to cover Wicca ;)

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  • by Galeanda on May 1st, 2007

    Galeanda

    I think if a class is an elective and it's about different religions than it might be okay but I don't think I would trust an individual teacher to present all relgions in a fair and accurate, unbiased manner. Better to have guests visit the class to explain and if there is a bias shown, it will be clearly from the guest and not from the instructor. But for the most part I don't think school is the best place for religious instruction.

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  • by pagan-babe on May 1st, 2007

    pagan-babe

    Yes it should be mentioned not practised but talked about and recqonised after all, the other religions are talked about!!!!!

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  • by Philman on April 27th, 2007

    Philman

    Teaching religion in schools is NOT prohibited by the Constitution. It has been interpreted that way by the Supreme Court and that decision can be overturned at any time.

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  • by holdmysuit on April 9th, 2007

    holdmysuit

    I don’t want to teach people how to worship and do rituals to the great flying spaghetti monster. If there is a large group of people that choose to worship the flying spaghetti monster then maybe learn about why the people need to do such a silly thing.

    Replace the flying spaghetti monster with a religion and there you go :D

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  • by steelhamster@aol.com on April 9th, 2007

    steelhamster@aol.com

    As long as I can add Worship of the Giant Steelhamster and his noodliness.... I would be all for it ;-)

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  • by Delos55 on November 27th, 2008

    Delos55

    We have that whole separation of church and state thing, but as long as it were a study of the different cultures and beliefs of people, then it should be used. It wouldn't be any different than using the Bible in English classes, eh?

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  • by Elfie on October 4th, 2008

    Elfie

    If the school has a Religions course. Yes.
    The high school I attended had a World Religions course as part of the Humanities selection. The thing with the course was it spent the majority of the time on the big three everyone already knows about. Christian, Judaism and Islam. Though I do agree as these are three of the major religions it is good to know about them I think there should be more time spent on religions that people do not normally know as much about. Wicca/Paganism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc.

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  • by angelsdragoon on October 3rd, 2008

    angelsdragoon

    No if you aren't going to allow God's Religion why allow Satin in?

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  • by angel_of_mercy on April 25th, 2008

    angel_of_mercy

    it's a religion - so why not.

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  • by saint nist on May 25th, 2007

    saint nist

    I think they should teach the basic of all religions to show the differences between them...

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  • by NightOwl on May 17th, 2007

    NightOwl

    Come on......as an educator, how much more are we going to be expected to teach? It's hard enough getting them to read and comprehend and grasp math concepts all while making sure they get exercise, art, music, health, technology, socialization, enrichment, character education. Add to that making sure they eat breakfast and lunch, have immunizations, get counseling when their parents divorce, diagnose learning disabilities, correct speech problems, etc.... I love what I do, but the plate is full. Can't religion be taught at home? Aren't parents taking responsibility for anything these days????

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  • by Nelson - Jetpacking from bed on May 17th, 2007

    Nelson - Jetpacking from bed

    No, religion is a choice, and if one religion is taught, they all need to be taught. I would like to see a class about the history of religion and a summary of world religions taught, but it would be to easy (and potentially damaging) for teachers to push their beliefs on students.

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  • by unknown on May 12th, 2007

    unknown

    Only if it is being taught with all other religions or beliefs as a comparison of world religions; say for a history of world religions class.

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  • by Sunblynd 5.0 on May 11th, 2007

    Sunblynd 5.0

    No religion should be taught in a public school with my tax money. I am a strong believer and supporter for the seperation of church and state. If one wishes their child to learn of an unfounded religous belief system then do so out of your own pocket, not mine. As our children reach adulthood, they will be more the wiser to choose a belief system that suits them, and not be forced fed into a belief system against their will.

    Educating a child in a religous belief system is unfair to the child, religous sects like to get them when their young, as it only benefits the sect that has brainwashed the child into following, believeing, and working as they do.

    What freedom is there in that I ask you? If we are supposed to have freedom of religion in this country, why is it so many try to infringe upon your sovreign right and say that which you believe is wrong? Luckily we have a democracy, and not an idiocracy.

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  • by Anonymous on May 11th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I think that's a very tough call.
    Whilst I don't believe in promoting belief in a specific religion within schools (I think that's something families should deal with within themselves, deciding which religion is right is not a job for the state, or for teachers), religion is a big part of the society and world we live in, and a large part of many peoples lives and moral values. there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding religion - it's important that children learn about the different beliefs of others and this should involve some study into the beliefs and history of the major religions (Christianity and Islam in particular as they have such a huge role in todays political and social climate are crucial for children to have some knowledge of)
    Whether Wicca specifically should be included in this I'm not so sure. Whilst I don't think it should be EXCLUDED from the curriculum, it's also pretty obvious that teachers would be unable realistically to give an in depth coverage of every religion in the world - if we include Wicca, we then have to include Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism obviously - and then Chinese Traditional Religion, Satanism, Scientology - potentially the list never ends, kids would end up learning nothing but religion.
    So I think if there are children from Wiccan families, or who have an interest in the religion, they should be encouraged to discuss that in school, along with their classmates from other religions, and educate each other about their experiences, but I think it would be impractical to include Wicca on the core curriculum.

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  • by AntigoneRising on May 7th, 2007

    AntigoneRising

    I do not think that any public school should offer instruction on how to be an adherent to any particular religion. Teaching generically and generally ABOUT what the adherents of religions believe is acceptable to me.

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  • by Gideon on May 1st, 2007

    Gideon

    I don't see a problem with it, so long as it's presented as part of an overview of different religions. It might help to debunk some myths and clarify the basic tenets of the religion.

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  • by researcher for God on May 1st, 2007

    researcher for God

    If we teach Wicca or other religions in school... We would have to teach all religions... Or we continue the falicity of atheism in our schools...

    again either teach ALL religions or teach nothing...

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  • by vinc3nt on April 27th, 2007

    vinc3nt

    OK, after reading 13 answers, I will provide my 2 cents, as a general answer. NO, the teaching of religion or even an overview of religion in schools leads to distraction in classrooms, school boards and PTA meetings. The teachers will be asked questions that will broaden the subject beyond the bounds established by the US constitution and most likely step on the toes of several religions either intentionally or unintentionally by providing inaccurate or incomplete answers. It is best that our schools avoid this subject completely and use our tax dollars to prepare our children to be successful in English, Math and Science. I know it is boring, but US students are still less able to compete with students from other countries in our world economy. I guess that was 2 1/2 cents, but I do not want my children's employment skills limited to religion and philosophy and asking "Do you want your order super sized?".

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  • by AutumnHemlock on October 27th, 2009

    AutumnHemlock

    Yes, I believe it should be. As a Wiccan myself, I find that there are far too many misconceptions and misunderstandings about Wicca that need to be cleared up (ie. devil worship?? uh..) As long as the curriculum had its facts straight, approved by maybe the High Priestess of a Wiccan coven, then I would encourage any education on Wicca.

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  • by AronsonFamily on September 24th, 2009

    AronsonFamily

    No religion, under any circumstances should be taught in the public school system. I am a pagan and I would be horrified if a public school decided to teach my children paganism just as much as if it taught them Christianity. Religion is between the family and the family alone.

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  • by Smile loves California on February 12th, 2009

    Smile loves California

    No religion should be taught in school. Only facts not beliefs should be covred, unless you cover all religions.

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  • by Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls on February 12th, 2009

    Lori K still ignores stalkers and trolls

    In a comparative religions class, why not?

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  • by Blacknail on February 12th, 2009

    Blacknail

    I don't believe any one religion should be taught in schools. I went to a C of E primary school (Church of England, btw.) and all I knew was Christianity for many years. It's essentially telling kids what they should believe, not giving them a choice. Therefore, it would be far better if the concept of religion was taught, but not particular faiths.

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  • by wiccan shelby on February 9th, 2009

    wiccan shelby

    of course it should i am a teen and i go to public school we have to learn about christian religion why not wicca im wiccan i think it would be amazing if public schools would teach wicca

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  • by Aero is back and wiser on December 26th, 2008

    Aero is back and wiser

    Not a scientific or historical fact, but certainly as a optional theological history or study course. Or in context to it's role in past events of history ex: a holy war, migration due to beliefs, ect.

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  • by MSB on December 26th, 2008

    MSB

    I think it would be nice if all religions could be taught in a sociological/historical context... but in the USA, it would probably cause too much of a stir and is best left out of public ed. for now.

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  • by TERRYTUKER on October 3rd, 2008

    TERRYTUKER

    no, were struggling to teach math in some schools

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  • by Vampyre Bat on October 3rd, 2008

    Vampyre Bat

    In a comparative religion class yes. Since Wiccans do not believe in proselytizing, I would keep it to an informational level and leave the spiritual part in my broom closet. I would love the oportunity to educate without fear though.

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  • by myfauxfoe on August 29th, 2008

    myfauxfoe

    Maybe the media can better fill this role, helping people gain more understanding of the many faiths of the world? I heard on NPR recently about a British game show whose contestants will be religious leaders tested on their knowledge of other religions. I love the idea!

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