Yes. It allows them to learn about other religions and how to approach people from those religions. It encourages children to be more tolerant of religions and as a result can lower racism. Furthermore, it is the only school subject where you can fully express your opinions without getting marked down for them. That's why I'm taking a full course R.E GCSE next year

Nope, I think keeping the two separate saves a lot of problems. If anyone wants their child to learn about religion they can do it through their church

No, If their parents want them to learn about their religion they should let them attend bible school. Or teach them at home. Kids have enough things to learn at school.

No, I think spirituality should be taught from a neutral standpoint

Only if they attend a private, religious school. A state school should not teach religion. Nor should a person be forced to attend a private or state sponsored religious school.

No. Religious education belongs in churches and math belongs in schools. Church and state should always remain seperate.

Only in a private school :)

NO. keep church and state separate..

Yes and no... they should not be forced but it should be more comprehensive!

I think it would be very nice, so people won't be so judgemental to religions. I think people of every race and religion should be respected. On the other hand, we are christians and will make sure we train are kids in are faith.

Well, with the separation of church and state, I think it's a moot question. However, I can say I attended Catholic school (and college), where I learned a good deal about world religions. Personally, I feel I'm the better for it; the difference in philosophies, idealogies, theologies and cultures was eludicated through that education and subsequently opened up a world of theological possibilities for me. Bible study class won't do that. What is it about teaching religious perspectives that's so frightening to people it evokes anger?

Definitely, people need to have some understanding of why the people around them follow certain traditions and have certain rules in order to help nuture acceptance and understanding. In today's society, this is more crucial than ever. There are huge numbers of people converting to other religions and immigrating into other cultures and societies. When my parents were little, they'd never see a person of another ethnicity or religion, now you can't walk out of the front door without seeing a woman in traditional Islamic dress, a Jew with a yarmulke on or a Sikh wearing a turban. For them, religious education wasn't so necessary, they lived cocooned within their community. These days, religion is all around us, and we need to make sure children are prepared to be tolerant and inform the ignorant. Otherwise I firmly believe wars will get worse and hatred will spread faster than it does already. Religious studies also helps children figure out what THEY believe and who they are. It encourages them to think about major questions like 'how did I get here?', 'why am I here, what is my purpose?' and also encourages them to form their own opinions. It concerns me that children who aren't well informed about all the different forms and aspects of religion will leave themselves open to cults and groups of a questionable nature as they grow older. As much as anything, the ability to think and reason things through that is so often required in RS expands to other subjects and is beneficial in debating and discussion. I always found RS overflowed into my English, History and Science courses. Not because that's how they were taught, but because I used them all to make some sense of MY world. I don't believe children should be forced to practice religion in school at all, they shouldn't have to partake in any religious ceremonies, such as singing hymns or praying. They should however be educated in all the 'major' religions.

1) parents should get the opportunity to sent their little children to religion courses so they get acquainted with the religion of their parents. Or if their parents do not want to sent them, the children would not have to go. There could also be a non religious course for moral, for instance. These courses could eventually take place in the rooms of the school, for practical reasons, but should not be integrated in the curriculum. 2) a big problem could be the social pression of others parents or children on those who do not do the same thing as the others. This could be an argument why this courses would not take place at school. 3) bigger children (from 14 upwards) could get a course in comparative religions. But maybe the society is not prepared for it and the resistance could be too strong. So it is probably better to present some religions in history or geography classes - I mean, really present them objectively, with a minimum of understanding, and that is not be so easy. Philosophy should also be a part of late secondary education. 4) a few days ago, I heard that catholic children were sent to moslem lesson because the catholic teacher was ill. The press presented it as a scandal. I think it could have been an interesting opportunity for the concerned children to have a look at another culture. I would encourage these kind of exchanges, as long as they are done in a positive way (and announced before).

I don't think so. There are enough things to teach them in school already without bogging them down with classes about religion. If the child (or the child's parents) wants to learn about religion, they can do it at home or at church.

I think religion should be taught -- not in a church-type way, but learning about other religions can help build tolerance. I'm not talking about proselytizing, just education.

of course. learning about different religions can help understanding, tolerance and help them decide whether or not they believe in any God. you'd send a child to church and listen to sermons and read the bible, but not really understand what its all about? and plus, going to one church every sunday does not teach about other religions, nor is it an education.

I was only reading in the Sydney Morning Herald the other day that young people with strong religious values are more likely to be involved in the community and in helping others. Conversely those without strong beliefs tended to be more egocentric, and less involved. This seems good enough reason to continue the optional hour of religious teaching in schools.

depends on wat you mean by reilg ed. if you're talking about "gospels 101" for kids everywhere then not at all. if you're talking "religious tolerance, differences and common ground" then sure no problem. but i think that would be hard for any teacher in that they would have to be PC and not impress their own religion upon their students... etc etc there would have to be some effort to not put any religion down, and some teachers themselves are ignorant now i think it's best to educate religion outside of school and wherever a hungry heart and mind search they should be welcome

If they want it.

Yes, they need to learn about other religions. I volenteer teaching two R.E classes to 14-15 and 15-16 year olds. i find that they neeed to know about other religons or they sucumb to beliving that all muslims want to bomb people and other such racist views. Also i have found that when talking to a friend who is muslim and she spoke to me about arranged marrages i didnt know what to say to her, as i didnt know if she was winding me up (as she gets annoyed at the silly questions people ask about her religion) or if she was being sincear. Therefor learning about other religions is important for people to be able to have general awarness of the people around them and understanding and empathy. ****cut from my earlier comment****** in my school the students recive 3 hours a week i think at GCSE Level which is switched term to term over if it is R.E or C.S (the latter being citizenship studies, i.e ethics etc) but bare in mind that children are taught R.E from the age of 7 i think. I know in Secondary school (11-16) you recive it every year. In my school you are taught about Christains, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs. Before GCSE's (Age 11-14) you are taught about the ways of life and habits etc touching on ethical issues but staying with "this is their relgious book and their prophets are...". At GCSE level the course looks at only two relgions, christians and muslims (at my school), and looks at how they view different things such as Stem Cell research. In the course children will compare a none relgious view for an item, a non religious view against, and then a religious view for and against. the course subdivides christianity into the the main different view points such as catholic and protistant and the same for muslim but mainly divides them in a sense of their views. In the actual exam you are allowed to talk about any relgions you like, i for one spoke about Wicca. ************ just to explain that i do not mean preaching about a religion when i talk about teaching R.E in schools

Education? Absolutely; children should learn 'about' all the main religions of the world. It's a vitally important subject to understanding the cultures and societies they will come into contact with throughout their life. They should -N-O-T- however, be 'indoctrinated' into ANY religion; that is just obscene : P

Only to the extent that it gives them awareness of various religions and thier views and each religion's history. Nothing sneaky though.

Well, private schools can do whatever they want so, yes they can teach religion there. Public schools are a different story though. They chould learn about different religions (how they started, what thier main beliefs are, etc.) but they should be taught be the most unbiased history teacher at the school.

I don't have a problem of children learning about the History of different Religious beliefs or Philosophies. If they are interested in just one, then they need to go to a church or mosque, temple,etc.

Yes, but only a neutral and factual comparative religion course that simply explains the main foundations of ALL the world's religions, their similarities and differences, and leaves it at that ... any student who wished to follow a specific religion would be directed to the appropriate religious community for further study and to follow the specific teachings and faith, but would have to do so, outside of the school ...

In public schools it should only be taught in a comprehensive "Religions of the World" way in a history and sociology type context. If you really want your child educated in a particular religion, then the child should go to a private school or get religious training outside of school in the evenings and on weekends.

In public schools, I think educating students about all the religions out there wouldn't be a bad idea. Non-biased teaching of different religions would help students understand better the people who practice them....since most people interact with someone of a different faith than theirs at some point in life.