TEACHING RELIGION WILL NOT MAKE YOUR
KID A COW WORSHIPPER, KAREN.
Nowadays, our society is becoming more and more pluralistic. We got different kinds of races,
sexualities and genders. And we can not forget about the religions. But what is the definition of
religion anyway? Religion has many different definitions, try looking it up! The most simple definition
according to the dictionary would be: ‘a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of
the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually
involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the
conduct of human affairs.’ Religion plays an important role in our everyday society and should be
taught in schools. Our student body is more diverse, so children should learn about the different
kinds of religion there are. We would also teach our students to become more open-minded and
accepting. And thirdly, the world would be less racist.
Our student body is more diverse than it was 50 years ago. Back then, the majority of our students
were Chrisitian Europeans. Fewer than 5% of the students were foreign born. But according to a
research by Heather Singmaster, the foreign-born population has nearly tripled. The proportion of
Latin Americans and Asians, which is 82%, has greatly surpassed the European proportion, which is
13%. Students of lesser known cultures and traditions would feel more included and safe. That is why
teachers should provide opportunities for all students to share unique features of their identity.
If you ask a person why they think that there are so many issues with religions, I guarantee you they
would say that it is because people were not taught to be open and accepting about different
religions. Religion is a very personal experience with family for a lot of people. If someone were to
criticize their religion, they would take offense and see it as a personal attack. When you teach
children about religion in schools, they will be more aware of the broad spectrum of religions. You
would teach them that there are children like them, with different beliefs and traditions. It will learn
the children to separate the religion from who a person really is. Children raised with the knowledge
that there are different religions, will be more tolerant and open to people with different
backgrounds.
Whenever we turn on our TV and watch the news, we always hear something about the conflicts in
the Middle East. It is almost always about terrorists and bombings. This leads to nasty remarks from
racists. Have you ever heard someone say: ‘Do you have a bomb in that bag?’ to a Muslim? When we
teach our children about religions in school, they will learn to look past those stereotypes where
Muslims are always terrorists, Hindus only do yoga and say ‘Namaste’ and Christians always try to
convert you. Our kids would be able to form their own opinion on whatever is happening in the
world and they would not be afraid to voice their opinions. By teaching our kids about the different
religions, they will be accepting of those with different beliefs and shut those racists down.
In conclusion, teaching kids about religion in school will only benefit our world and future
generations. A diverse student body, people who accept other for who they are and no more racists,
what more do you want?
Damini Bissumbhar, V62
KID A COW WORSHIPPER, KAREN.
Nowadays, our society is becoming more and more pluralistic. We got different kinds of races,
sexualities and genders. And we can not forget about the religions. But what is the definition of
religion anyway? Religion has many different definitions, try looking it up! The most simple definition
according to the dictionary would be: ‘a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of
the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually
involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the
conduct of human affairs.’ Religion plays an important role in our everyday society and should be
taught in schools. Our student body is more diverse, so children should learn about the different
kinds of religion there are. We would also teach our students to become more open-minded and
accepting. And thirdly, the world would be less racist.
Our student body is more diverse than it was 50 years ago. Back then, the majority of our students
were Chrisitian Europeans. Fewer than 5% of the students were foreign born. But according to a
research by Heather Singmaster, the foreign-born population has nearly tripled. The proportion of
Latin Americans and Asians, which is 82%, has greatly surpassed the European proportion, which is
13%. Students of lesser known cultures and traditions would feel more included and safe. That is why
teachers should provide opportunities for all students to share unique features of their identity.
If you ask a person why they think that there are so many issues with religions, I guarantee you they
would say that it is because people were not taught to be open and accepting about different
religions. Religion is a very personal experience with family for a lot of people. If someone were to
criticize their religion, they would take offense and see it as a personal attack. When you teach
children about religion in schools, they will be more aware of the broad spectrum of religions. You
would teach them that there are children like them, with different beliefs and traditions. It will learn
the children to separate the religion from who a person really is. Children raised with the knowledge
that there are different religions, will be more tolerant and open to people with different
backgrounds.
Whenever we turn on our TV and watch the news, we always hear something about the conflicts in
the Middle East. It is almost always about terrorists and bombings. This leads to nasty remarks from
racists. Have you ever heard someone say: ‘Do you have a bomb in that bag?’ to a Muslim? When we
teach our children about religions in school, they will learn to look past those stereotypes where
Muslims are always terrorists, Hindus only do yoga and say ‘Namaste’ and Christians always try to
convert you. Our kids would be able to form their own opinion on whatever is happening in the
world and they would not be afraid to voice their opinions. By teaching our kids about the different
religions, they will be accepting of those with different beliefs and shut those racists down.
In conclusion, teaching kids about religion in school will only benefit our world and future
generations. A diverse student body, people who accept other for who they are and no more racists,
what more do you want?
Damini Bissumbhar, V62
