Originally Posted by Mosaic

LOL hope I haven't started a war But to be honest, much of what Sedoniaraqs has said is what I have come to understand via my close friends in OK & FL. It is likely that people do have differing views on the importance/non importance of such issues.

But honesty in education is so important for the mental growth of a child. What is taught and how it is taught should not be influenced by (often) narrow minded religious thought. Biology and science cannot be tainted by purity religious issues, how on earth do college teens fare when they get to Uni? WOW! Must be a bit of a shock.

I have not seen one child harmed here in this part of the world by open and honest debate and teaching, actually they all grow into very well balanced young men and women, and are able to judge for themselves what they believe or disbelieve.

OK That is enough from me, before someone growls at me.

Originally Posted by Mosaic

Thanks KuteNurse, I actually saw something about the 10 commandments thing on Fox news last year I think it was.

My comments about religion and politics in USA, is because what I have heard and currently hear in particular in regard to the republican party they introduce religion in some way over and over. The democrats don't seem to do this and focus more on the issues that government should focus on. But I don't live in America, and go by what I hear on Fox and CNN news ... also my friends, one lives in OK the other in FL.

Thanks for the correction on schools in USA, Is that for all schools or do some States tend to have or try to have a religious component. I am not saying it is a bad thing, but do think that it should be an optional choice to do or not do.

Here in Australia, unless the school is a designated religion affliated school, religion doesn't come into the education system, because children of various religions may be attending that school. State schools are zoned which means if you live in a designated area your child has to attend that school unless you pay for private school. Basically religion is kept out of schools. Some have a voluntary religious instruction class, but parents must sign up to have the kids attend and it is non denominational and basic bible studies I believe. Most schools have cut those studies because there wasn't enough students attending. The belief here and use to be the same in NZ
(not sure now in NZ, but think it would be the same) that religion is for churchs/synagoges/temples/mosques etc, education for schools and politics for governments. The Catholic schools do have religious instruction daily I believe, but if you send your child to a catholic school then you expect that, they are semi-private.

My son goes to a private school, which has children from every religion imaginable and the non religious, they all work together in total peace and harmony, accepting each other without reservation. We have young boys wearing the Sikh turban wrap, girls in Hijab, kids from China, Korea, India, Pakistan, Various other Asian countries, Middle Eastern countries, and Aussies. By keeping religion or non religion out of the school, but also allowing those who have religious needs to quietly attend to that (such as Muslims have their prayer time) there is no conflict at all and total acceptance and interest in children of other cultures.

Probably USA has schools like that as well. But what I am trying to say and probably not getting it across too well, is that there does seem to be a lot of Christianity in schools and this becomes a strong part of everyday culture to the extent that there seems to be a (minority) section of society that believes wholeheartedly in the biblical creation myth.

I believe that children can easily be raised with high end morals etc without religion in their everyday, outside the home. Religious beliefs should be taught by the parents and religious bodies, that conform to the families own beliefs. Don't you agree that this is the best approach? Each person approaches religion and can view/interpret it differently even if you follow the same faith, so what you as a parent may believe/teach, a school or outside community (other than religious) may teach things differently and that to my mind would be confusing for children.

I don't mind at all being corrected and am very open to being told that what I have seen/heard is different
Peace be upon you
~Mosaic

Originally Posted by Salome

I really value the fact that religion is not part of the public school system. I could not possible begin to share how adamently I would not want my child exposed to Christianity as part of their public school experience.



Is this a recent development? Because I went to public school and we had had sex ed etc. and there was never any warning stickers in our science books.

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Regarding education, I might like to add that my son attended a private Catholic School for his entire education through highschool graduation. In no way was any part of science or education withheld from him because it was not what Christians believed in, so that is bologny. lol (I do not know what other religious schools teach.) He learned everything he would have learned in public school plus he had religious teachings also. My son now attends a public college and I am happy to report that not only is he an allete athlete ranking in the top cyclists in the midwest, he also made the Dean's list and had a 4.0 GPA in his first semester in college. Kudo's to him and for giving him a good educational foundation
PS...No war from me Mosaic

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Ohh...A point I did forget to make is that statistically, children who attend private school are more likely to succeed in athletics and in careers. I heard this somewhere down the line. I will do some research regarding it and let you know my findings.

Originally Posted by A'isha Azar

Dear Kutenurse,
I attended both Catholic and public schools across the U.S, and into Canada. This is my personal experience. It depends on what part of the country you live in and what the academic standard is in what region. Madison Wisconsin had the highest academic standard in the States when I went to high school there for less than a year, but because of my time there, I was
able to graduate from high school a full year early. When I went to high school in both Northern and Southern California, I had enough credits to graduate as a Senior when I was only a Junior. Many classes that were 10th grade classes in California were Freshman classes in Wisconsin and Maine. I attended an inner city high school (Madison East High) in Wisconsin, and had attended Catholic schools for several years before moving there. I started school in Stevensville, Newfoundland, where I attended a Catholic school and was under the charge of some very severe people in nun suits, who hit us frequently and generally treated us poorly. The same can be said for several other Catholic schools I attended in America.
By the way, I also learned this charming little prayer in Catholic school.

"I confess to almighty God, to Blessed Mary, ever virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to the Holy Apostles,Peter and Paul and to all the Saints that I have sinned in thought, word and deed. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault."

I was 5 years old when I learned to say that. I have spent a good deal of my life as an adult getting over it.

Regards,
A'isha

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Madisson Wisconsin is supposed to be a very nice place to raise a family. It is really in the boom right now from what I have heard. I am sorry the nuns were mean to you. My mother also attended Catholic school and she says the same about the nuns. Things have changed now in Catholic schools however, my son never suffered any abuse and he just got lots of encouragement to do good work. Hopefully others have had the same luck as he has had. I also know what you mean about Catholic prayers. NEVER have I forgotten a prayer in church...lol

Originally Posted by KuteNurse

Hi Mosaic,

My apologies to all Americans, but unfortunately what I and many other countries of the world see, is how the Christian religion has a very strong hold on the government and education system. ( eek! don't jump down my throat, for I only state what I see/read/understand)

I am telling you this gently I promise my intent is not to demean or to put you down. Your information on American's and religion is not correct however. Public schools in America are not allowed to let children pray or to teach religion in classes. The same is for the government. This is an example to help you understand...In the city where I live, the ten commandments were placed and have been standing in front of the court house and the government buildings for years and years. A couple of years ago, Atheists decided this was wrong for the ten commandments to be placed in front of the buildings because they are government buildings. It was brought to federal court and decided the statues had to be removed. (Against popular vote that most people wanted them to stay.) They were removed and a local church bought them and now they stand in front of the church. If it seems like we are crazy about religion in schools and government, we really aren't. We are actually fighting to keep them in schools and in our government. We want out children to grow up with good morals and continuing our religious traditions. Just as other countries would want for their children. I hope this info helps you to understand.