Religion should not be a subject in schools

Introduction

Today one of the most discussed topics is religion, religious aspects take an important role
in schools. The ideology of the west is to show children that there is only one God. and that
there is a doctrine that embraces many beliefs that must be followed and respected. This
ideology is taught in schools as a mandatory subject for all students, but it is not done by
taking into account the religious beliefs of the parents or the students themselves. This would
be considered like a violation or discrimination, because they do not have the freedom to
choose their own belief or their own religious doctrine.

Body paragraph 1

Religion is a subject that must be taught at home, not at school, because every family has
their own religious beliefs, or in some cases, a different point of view about religion. Schools
cannot impose a religion to the kids, every parent or person in charge of the children has all
the right to teach them the family’s religion and beliefs, and this is something that must be
respected. However, the most important aspect that school must respect is what the children
chose to believe, because at the end, the only person that is being forced to learn something
is the kid. Even though the kids’ families teach them certain principles, when they reach a
certain age, after they have lived certain things, the kids decide to follow their own paths,
and sometimes, this means thinking differently from their families. So in some cases the
children assume a religion that they feel is more suited to their way of thinking, or they create
their own religious principles and rules, or in other cases, they decide not to believe neither
in a religion nor a God, and it is OK, every person is free to choose what to believe.

Body paragraph 2

Therefore, if schools teach a certain religion they are forcing the kids to learn the religion
that they want, without even worrying or respecting what the kid wants. Schools are supposed
to impulse the kid’s creativity and allow them to create their own way of thinking and
personality, something that will not be possible if the school is already imposing what they
should believe and think, causing a deprivation of their free development. Speaking of the
free will that children have of choosing their beliefs, teaching religion would also incur on
fights, because every kid will argue defending their point of view, causing a discussion
without an end where the only thing they can achieve is to disrespect each other, therefore,
not teaching religion would contribute to keep peace and respect in classrooms.

Body paragraph 3

“World Religion News” says that: “The understanding of different religions is a key way to
eliminate the misinformation that different groups give online… Therefore, schools should
have mandatory religious studies classes. This does not mean teach theology. Any particular
religion should not be taught as a universal truth. What is needed is comparative religious
studies course. Studies need to learn about various religions because of how complex
contemporary issues have become where religion has become a central aspect”.
Body paragraph 4

Richard Dawkins, member of the Foundation for Reason & Science says: “…it is important
to give children a healthy dose of religious education early on, teaching them a broad range
of comparative mythology and religion from a phenomenological approach. Children are
naturally curious, and what is more interesting than the ancient belief systems that so many
of our peers and ancestors have dedicated their lives to? By teaching them about the world’s
religions, we are giving them the information they seek and filling a gap in their knowledge
in the same way we do when we teach about history or politics.”
Electronic references

● https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/need-teach-religion-schools
● https://www.richarddawkins.net/2013/09/why-we-should-teach-religion-to-
children/