pros and cons of religious schools
When I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I went job hunting. They also get speakers and training to assist individuals spiritually. (1993). Third, our arguments apply to high schools or secondary schools, because they assume particular cognitive capacities that children at primary school age do not normally possess. That is, individuals and the communities to which they belong may not act upon their ideals in ways that harm others (physically or psychologically), including fellow group members. Neither will we defend the view that schools should aim to strengthen religious adherence amongst their pupils. 19(1), 119127. This evaluation does not deny the importance of religious ideals for people, but merely states that they cannot be a basis for public or political law. Religion and education in Europe: Developments, contexts and debates. Pros and Cons Kitzmiller may have been the last major evolution case to make national headlines, but the debate over how to teach about the origins and development of life in public schools has continued in state legislatures, boards of education and other public bodies. Although there will be those who would argue that she was not actually doing selfless work, but was merely working out her own salvation. For goodness sake: Religious schools and education for democratic citizenry. All pupils need to learn that there is a difference to be made between evaluating religious ideals and the way in which they are pursued. Still other debates include the distinctiveness of separate schools (see Bryk et al. London: Penguin Press. My husband and I were also fortunate to attend other schools that werent labeled Christian, but they did have strong Christian influences. De Ruyter, D. J. There are certain topics about religion taught in schools that might cause conflicts within the classroom. Student/teacher ratio in Catholic schools averages 13:1. Second, as we will argue, being a citizen in a liberal democratic society requires particular dispositions as well as knowledge and understanding. Philosophy and Public Affairs, Tour the campus. We will show that if public schools offer pupils the opportunity to learn from a diversity of religious ideals they contribute to one of the important aims of education in liberal democracies, i.e. The ideal of a theocracy is clearly in conflict with the ideals of a liberal democracy, but so are ideals that lead believers to discriminate against others because of their utter contempt of the others political views, religion or sexual identity. 4. A study in regulative ideals. volume28,pages 295311 (2009)Cite this article. McLaughlin, T. H. (1995). They seem to have pretty good APA internship match and licensure rates, and the tuition isn't as astronomical as some other programs. When religious ideals of an ideal society become utopian blueprints, religious adherents may try to realize the utopia by whatever means available to them; if the ideal society can be realized, the end may well justify all means. Hence, the argument runs, the best way of guaranteeing that the state does not influence its young citizens towards a particular religious view of things is to have no religion in public schools at all. These two qualities are also articulated as two moral powers: a capacity for a sense of justice and a capacity for a conception of the good. Educational Theory, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, She was in another State and was given multiple offers; employers fought to employ her. We've put together some facts and figures in the infographic below (click for a bigger version). Spiecker, B., De Ruyter, D. J., & Steutel, J. W. (2006). I think, hands down, my husband and I still have lifelong friends and bonds from our Christian schools. That these ideals are not unique to Christianity may be offered as a further illustration that religious ideals can be compatible not only with other religious ideals but also to the presumed secular ideals of the liberal democracy and reasonable pluralism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Developing such capacities necessarily excludes practices like indoctrination or brainwashing that aim to establish precisely the opposite effect (see Merry 2005). Ethics, In the former sections we have shown that religious ideals can be given a place in the public domain, but it also became apparent that not every religious ideal or every way of pursuing religious ideals is compatible with the ideals of reasonable pluralism. Yousif, A. Taking matters further, residence in non-Islamic lands for a few has a tactical side, one that is driven by ideals which seek to establish an Islamic state (see Abbas 2007; Choudhury 2007; Husain 2007). The truth is, it may not be accepted. Do you see yourself living and studying there? 100, 468496. Others have addressed the question of whether or not religious education and civic education are compatible (see Gutmann 1995; Macedo 1995), and, if they are, what sort of virtues religious schools promote (see Callan 1997; Spinner-Halev 2000; Gardner et al. 2. Christian Schools can be a great opportunity since the schools are deliberate to provide and foster such environments. Third, we will argue that the possibility that children will flourish as adults is advanced by offering them a variety of ideals to examine and consider (see also Levinson and Levinson 2007; De Ruyter 2007). McLaughlin, T. H. (1985). If you are interested in Christian-centered missions trips, this would be something to consider. Shutterstock.com. Thats the world we live in. Public schools can play a significant role in furthering the possibility that children flourish when they are adults precisely by including values in the curriculum that are different from those of the families of the pupils and mainstream society (Brighouse 2005). Hence, the argument runs, the best way of guaranteeing that the state does not influence its young . In R. Curren (Ed. Particularly today when religion is back in the centre of the public and political discussion, but where much of the attention is negative and does little to foster mutual understanding among religious and non-religious persons, or, for that matter, among persons with different religious commitments, the current silence in public schools should be replaced with the inclusion of religious ideals. Religious ideals can be understood as having two characteristics that may more easily give people the justification to impose their ideals on everyone: (1) they are sanctioned by an unquestioned authority and (2) they are believed to be in the best interests of allwhether in this life or in the afterlife. Students are allowed religious freedom, but teachers are not allowed to endorse one religion over another. Most schools' activities are often underpinned by their religious values and traditions. Spinner-Halev, J. They may believe that reasonable pluralism supplies the conditions that will subvert religious ideals in the broad sense, and consequently, religious ideals in the strict sense (thus motivating some to withdraw their children from the public schools altogether in order to have those ideals reinforced in a private religious school).Footnote 14 This will be true primarily for the group of fundamentalist or orthodox parents; for the majority of religious parents, the inclusion of the ideals that have a profound meaning in their lives will be an important recognition of what they dearly value. I hope this has enlightened you on this topic. Religious families who may wish to keep their religious traditions intact and wants an educational . Journal of Philosophy of Education, 2. What Are The Disadvantages Of Religious Schools? - CLJ When religious ideals are perceived as blueprints and thereby cease to be tolerant, it seems they necessarily collide with reasonable pluralism, because being reasonable not only assumes that one is able to revise ones ideals, but also that others are entitled to espouse beliefsand in most instances act upon those beliefswith which one does not agree. Even uncomplicated subjects, such as history and science, have contradictory lessons that might invoke confusion among students. We can illustrate this by examining a small section of the diversity of conceptions of religious ideals found in Christianity. Rather, the basic structure of a society should be founded on fundamental ideas we seem to share through the public political culture (1993, p. 150). In other words, reasonable pluralism offers the best opportunity for citizens to evaluate policies and practices in the public domain by means of the regulative ideal that everyone will be able to flourish. Middle East Policy, Macedo, S. (1995). (Ed.). ), Philosophy of education: An anthology (pp. Finally, it is necessary that we are selective in our examples of specific religions. I dont regret being sheltered because it allowed my husband and me to just be kids and grow up the old fashioned way! Merry, M. (2007). Alternatively, you can take into account the following ideas: Top 5 Pros of Teaching Religion in Public Schools Children learning religious practices and beliefs and aware of their deferences are more tolerant towards people around; Schoolchildren learning religion apply more critical thinking in matters of morality. Therefore, it does not seem unfair for religious persons to insist that their ideals be taken seriously as well. Debate on pros and cons of religious education rages on However, the pursuit of religious ideals can be neutral to the public domain while the ideals themselves are not. The Cons of Religion in Schools Separation of Church and State 1. It does place limits on the acceptability of positions and the way in which they are pursued (see for instance Macedo 2000; De Jong and Snik 2002). (2007). This is unavoidable, but we have already argued that this outcome is not unjust given the educational and societal benefits that accrue to others, including the children of those who espouse unreasonable ideals. Before we dive into the main topic, where we will thoroughly enlighten you on the many Pros and Cons of a Faith school, let us detour and give you a proper breakdown of what a Faith School is all about. Seemingly endless choices and opportunities provide little comfort to those whose ultimate religious ideals decisively trump other ideals. Regulative ideals do not describe a practice or society in precise detail like blueprints, but offer a standard for a practice. In order to be able to discover which interpretation allows children to flourish as adults, it is important that they are introduced to different ways of life. Common schools for a secularist society. Studies in Philosophy and Education This, in turn, can lead to a more accepting and inclusive school environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-008-9120-4, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11217-008-9120-4. Rawls, J. to fulfil the five dutiesamong which are daily prayer, giving alms, fasting during the Ramadanif they want to be considered good Muslims; Christians are expected to believe that Jesus is the son of God. Argumentative Essay Samples on Religion in Public Schools | DoMyPapers.com Importantly, we have shown that a separation between church and state does not mean that religious ideals have no place in the public domain or that ideals should be banned from public schools. What majors are available, and are they accredited? Clearly, these political ideals would not count as reasonable comprehensive doctrines on any reading of reasonable pluralism not only because such ideals offend against the principles of toleration or mutual respect; they also directly threaten a number of social goods that political liberals support, including legitimacy, reciprocal trust, tolerance, and political stability. Every time the recruiters in the business world would see my resume, they would automatically say, You are from the bible belt! and then laugh. Feinberg, W. (2006). Fuller, L. L. (1969). However, our arguments are not limited to North America; indeed, they also broadly pertain to the European context, because while religious education is widely on offerindeed, outside of secular France, some religious instruction is mandatedFootnote 7 by the stateits focus most of the time is decidedly Christian in character, thus excluding most non-Christian religious ideals. ), Philosophy of education: An anthology (pp. Teachers in the suburban town of Wellesley, Massachusetts spend half the school year teaching the world's religions to sixth graders. Democratic education (2nd ed.). Public or state schools in some Western liberal democratic societies are notoriously silent on the subject of religion. It helps kids develop psychologically. 19 Big Pros and Cons of Prayer in Schools - ConnectUS Religion in Schools Pros and Cons | APECSEC.org The article begins with an elucidation of the concept religious ideals and an explanation of the notion of reasonable pluralism, in order to be able to explore the dangers and positive contributions of religious ideals and their pursuit on a liberal democratic society. Dinnertime conversations are critical during this time. One of the best aspects of personal faith, no matter what it is called or looks like, is that it is formed from an individualistic perspective. Pluralism in western societies is a fact, which can be lamented or applauded, but it is the situation in which people in Western societies live. By Creator Studio June 28, 2022 June 29, 2022. . Should religious symbols be banned in public places? Religious schools do better than public or charter schools. ), The contemporary Catholic school: Context, identity and diversity (pp. In other words, we believe it is less important that children know about the practices and central dogmas of the main religions in their society, than that they understand the ultimate motivations of other people, i.e. Merry, M., & Driessen, G. (forthcoming). Public or state schools in some Western liberal democratic societies are notoriously silent on the subject of religion. We circumscribe our discussion in at least three ways. These friends are from all backgrounds and walks of life. Article Growing in your faith Most schools have chapels or prayer rooms where students can find their quiet place and speak to God. In some cases, the voice of religion may even buttress the most reasonable arguments on offer concerning human rights and dignity, which, for example, occurred during twentieth-century freedom struggles in India and the United States. Religiously motivated hate crimes are on the rise. Believers cannot be obligated to pursue religious ideals, because ideals reach beyond what may be required of people; they refer to excellences to which people aspire, not to expectations people have to pursue. Why Education in Public Schools Should Include Religious Ideals. The idea of an overlapping consensus. While European religious piety (at least among Christians) has been in decline since the 1960s, a large percentage of the North American population, particularly in the United States, continues to be religiously devout. (1989). Why? Be that as it may, it is important to stress that religious persons not only live within their respective communities, they also are called upon to function as members of society. How religious education differ from public education? We aim to show in the remainder of this section that a focus on religious ideals both in a strict and broad sense does indeed make a novel contribution to the debate about religion in public schools. Of course, our proposal will not be agreeable to those whose religious ideals are incompatible with the ideals of reasonable pluralism. In M. Leicester, C. Modgil & S. Modgil (Eds. In R. Curren (Ed. 36(4), 573587. De Ruyter, D. J. Yet one does not have to think of moral paragons such as Mahatma Ghandi or Martin Luther King Jr.; there are also other, less renowned, religious persons and groups that feed and shelter homeless people, offer drug counseling, employment assistance, etc. Of course this does not mean that a political conception of justice cannot fit into or be supported by various reasonable comprehensive doctrines. I think the solid biblical and spiritual foundation shaped me to be who I am. (Eds.). The second type of religious ideals refers to religious ideals in the broad sense. Google Scholar. Phrased in terms of Nicholas Rescher (1987, p. 122): ideals are the spirit of the law, while rules and regulations are the letter of the law. March, A. Notice that this pursuit of religious ideals is consistent with the requirements of reasonable pluralism. This report includes sections on school prayer, the pledge of allegiance, religion in school curricula, and the religious liberty rights of students and teachers. Educating for intelligent belief or unbelief. Finally, pupils will learn valuable lessons from religious ideals that are opposed to those of a liberal democracy, particularly from the ways in which the pursuit of these ideals may undermine the freedoms of others as protected under a liberal democratic constitution. Since the U.S. Constitution forbids the government from passing any laws favouring one religion over another, state schools rarely use religion in the classroom. Cornell: Cornell University Press. The middle position is not neutral vis--vis all religious ideals, for then it would be a version of the second (positive) evaluation. Which is Better: Home School, Public, or Private Schools This is understandable, because these believers tend to draw most public attention hrough court cases (the Yoder case or the Mozert case) and because they tend to be opposed to mainstream liberal views and scientific theories. Channel one, the anti-commercial principle, and the discontinuous ethos. Which interpretation will bring intrinsic satisfaction is something that children have to discover for themselves, but what makes their actions within this interpretation good is something that educators can teach them. When I was in college, I remember hearing of alumni who went on to the marketplace. 3. Conroy, J. C. (2004). Muslims pluralize the West, resist assimilation. New Haven: Yale University Press. While some people argue in favor of the practice, others strongly believe that there should not be any religious dimension to education. Thus, some ideals will more comfortably fit within reasonable pluralisms demands, while others will ostensibly be squeezed out, or, at least be made to feel less welcome. Of course, this description is crude and should be nuanced, but it is helpful for a good understanding of what religious ideals are. Further, internal restrictions must be challenged that unduly limit the exercise of free will or which impose unfair restrictions on exiting a community (Spiecker et al. That it is necessary for citizens of a liberal democracy to stay within the limits of the law, even when they believe themselves to be on the higher moral high ground, needs no defense. 27(3), 429442. We have several reasons for defending our focus on religious ideals. Rather, one may wish to use terms like Roman Catholic ideals, Eastern Orthodox ideals, Wesleyan ideals, Reformed ideals, etc, though of course one will find various subsets within each of these traditions as well. Yet this would be an unfortunate outcome, as Strike (2007, p. 707) reminds us: [D]emocratic conversations that seek common ground cannot begin by excluding a whole genre of widely held views from serious discussion. In fact, the virtual absence of non-Christian religious instruction in most non-religious schools in Europe has precipitated repeated calls for separate religious schools in order to address what parents claim are the spiritual needs of pupils.
pros and cons of religious schools