Of course, that probably depends on your definition of religion. If you define religion in terms of churches, then I would agree with you. But IMO religion in truth is a much broader term which encompasses systems of belief which are based on core, unprovable, tenents which are taken as true. For example, in many ways science is itself a religion.
The problem I have is that values are being and will be taught in schools. Period. No curriculum can be value neutral. (For a basic, punishing plagerism, punishing fighting, etc. are all institutionalizing certain values.) I agree that they are broadly accepted values in society, but they are not universally held values. Other values that are commonly being taught are far more controversial -- for example, tolerance for certain lifestyles (but not for all lifestyles).
Where I have a problem is that those people whose values arise from a belief in God are prohibited from being involved in the value setting process, while those whose values arise from moral beliefs which do not include a belief in God are free to press their values forward.
If every group which had any value agenda were prohibited from putting forth their value in the school, we would have a fair and level playing field. But where some people are allowed to advance their values without restriction and others are not, the playing field is no longer level. |
