Pagans, Bible Lit. is taught in some schools, do you think they should offer "The History of Pagan Beliefs"?

Question

Pagans, Bible Lit. is taught in some schools, do you think they should offer "The History of Pagan Beliefs"?

Answer 1

Former pagan. No. Keep Mithra out of my schools. And Jesus, and Ra, and every other god/goddess.

(IMHO - ALL Religions should be excluded from curriculum. That is what the constitution is all about. The history could be taught, maybe, just to show the general irrationality perpetrated by all believers, but all doctrine should be strictly prohibited)

Answer 2

Nah, most countries are pagan. The US was founded by Christians.

Answer 3

Well I think that would be nice, but it will never happen

because revealing the truth would destroy the Christian

empire of power and profit...  

Answer 4

I think it could be taught as part of world history...because it is. But as a religion? No.

Answer 5

Well, that would kind of go against our whole "no proselytizing" thing.  Everyone who is Pagan has either learned it privately from a friend or parent, or has found their way to the path on their own.

That and you'd be hard pressed to teach the history of Paganism.  One, because there are dozens of different Pagan paths, and two, because most of the history of Paganism was destroyed.

Answer 6

I don't know about you, but I was taught Norse Mythology, American Indian beliefs, and the Greek/Roman Pantheon (about as pagan as it gets) starting in fourth or fifth grade, the Druids and Hindus in HS, and pretty much everything by the time I got an advanced degree in history.  One thing I never learned much about in all my years in American public school: the monotheistic religions practiced by half the world's people and most Americans.  Maybe you weren't paying attention?

Answer 7

No, but I think some honors classes might teach the anthropological and classical sources on various Pagan cultures.  In fact, in some schools, they certainly do so.  Ultimately, however, I'd just as soon we keep church and state as separate as possible.

Answer 8

What kind of schools?  Catholic/christian schools? colleges? or public schools?

If its christian schools or colleges/universities, i see no problem with it (although the university should indeed have plenty of pagan religions taught in the curriculum for comparative religion)

In public schools, then no, NO religion should be taught in a public school.  And I am Heathen.

Answer 9

Isn't Bib. Lit. a part of pagan beliefs, since the Christians "borrowed" many of pagans' traditions?

Just a thought.

Answer 10

Hoorah!

Of course. But we don't have as many Pagan schools are there are Christian and Catholic schools.

Hey Bob, let's build today!

*cue cheering kids* "YAAAAAAAY!"

I'll get started on the cookies. XD

Answer 11

No.  Fighting fire with fire is silly.

You have to use a fire extinguisher.  

Answer 12

I don't understand the question? Religion is full of pagan beliefs!

Dec 25th( Worship of the Sun God Tau-his birthday)

Easter( The goddess of fertility, Astarte)

Mary worship (Semele the Babylonian Madonna)

Trinity( Triune God was way before Jesus in Babylonian and Assyrian worship)

I think religion has done a fine job in the history of pagan beliefs.

Answer 13

Bible Lit. isn't taught in very many schools today.  Besides, when I went to school we did learn about the pagans, at least the real ones, it was called History Class.  As far as comparable Literature classes, we did study many of the Mythologies in English Class also.  That WOULD be the equivalent of Bible Lit.  We didn't of course learn about the religions that were made up in the recent past, and we couldn't have learned about those that hadn't been invented yet, but then again schools were different then also.  By the time we got into 3rd or 4th grade, we all had to be able to read and for the most part spell.

The schools take too much time today with the silly garbage to cover the basics.  After 12 years of school, our kids can't read or do math, but a third grader can explain in detail why "janey has two Mommies", or how to put a condom on a zucchini.

Answer 14

I think if they teach one they should teach all.  

Answer 15

I thought they did in such studies of Greek and roman mythology.

Answer 16

Sure. Religion should never be taught with public dollars, but a scholarly analysis of religious myths should be as long as there is more than one religion covered.