(June 19, 2012 at 3:06 pm)Annik Wrote: I think this thread should make a distinction between religion from a historical/objective sense and having references to God in a pledge that many are forced to recite everyday.
I am less opposed to referencing religion from a historical/objective sense but I still have concerns. The schools where I worked also used historic events to push their agenda. Columbus was touted as a moral christian role-model, for example (so, not even accurate history). I think many people would be shocked if they actually saw what goes on inside schools in regard to aiding religious indoctrination- it goes do far beyond the pledge.
I do think the age of the students matter. Older, high school age, students are better able to understand the difference between studying the cultural implications of religion and actually studying the religion. Younger kids are more inclined to see religious discussion as reinforcement of the ideas as reality.
