World Religions Class In Modesto Public Schools Raises Eyebrows

VOA News journalist Lonny Shavelson wrote an article today entitled "California School District Gains from World Religions Class". The article states that Modesto, CA is the only school district in the entire country that requires its students to take (and pass) a world religions class. The students learn from a textbook that teaches the beliefs of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Confucianists, Hindus, Buddhists, and so on and so forth. The teacher that teaches the class, Yvonne Taylor, likes to tell her students that it's okay to talk about prayer, but not for her to lead them in it. The students read from a textbook selected by the school board that gives equal face time for each of the religions--the book actually does contain equal page lengths for each religion.

Of course this article brings about the old issue of teaching religion v. teaching about religion. Is it safe to safe to say that teaching religion gives the students a more direct moral compass? That because these students are being taught the ten commandments or the Lord's prayer that they somehow become better people? No. It most certainly isn't safe to say it. There may be studies suggesting that kids become "better" people by being religious, but those studies could certainly be flawed. But is it safe to say that learning about religion gives children a better moral compass? That answer is yes.

Think of all the hate and fear in the world today. Fear of Muslims. Fear of Christians. Fear of things we don't understand as a people. Isn't it the duty of the country to promote a general understanding of its citizens? Sure it is. The United States is the greatest country on earth because it's so ethnically diverse. All these people blend together to promote one common American identity. But what makes us different is also what makes the country so unique. So a class that promotes a general understanding of each religion should, at the very least, be at the core of every school curriculum. Not because the state wishes to make its people religious, but instead to promote an acceptance of beliefs that are different from our own.

As long as the students aren't required to pray or read from the bible every day, I fail to see how there could be any problem associated with this program. The school board even got together with all the different religious groups to make sure they were giving each group a fair and balanced portrayal. This is religion in schools done right, in so much that it isn't religion in schools, it's culture in school. Religion doesn't make good people. An education that promotes acceptance and understanding, however, is the best litmus test for a better society.