I do not understand former atheist's

[Captain Colostomy]

Captain Wanton, I disagree (I still love you, though ). I think they need this. They need to have challenges in order to practice their thinking skills. Yes, they need a leader and someone to guide them during their education, but not a puppet holder. Having the opportunity to think for themselves is excellent! For example, my son. When he tells me that he believes in a god after all, I ask, "Why do you believe? Give me a reason." I don't tell him that he shouldn't believe. If you are going to teach spelling, then yes. Just teach them and tell them how it's done. However, there are things that require an open field where students can manipulate the object in hand and study it, think about it, reason with it. I think this guy has the right idea.

Then again, you did say "all depending", so fine. I skipped that part lol

I hear you. Depending on the lesson, though, a factoid cannot be deduced through critical thinking. Either you are aware of the answer, or ignorant of it.

Teacher: "What's the GNP of Upper Volta for fiscal year 1979, inflation adjusted in today's Rubles"?
Student: "I don't know...a shit ton?"
Teacher: "Well, think about it..."

Or something like that.

Questions about philosophy, justice, feelings, etc., are much more available to exercising an individual's critical thinking skills.

Dunno. I just see a potential downside, depending...