God, Allah, Budda, Om, Ganesha. . .now let's break it down into denominations, sects, and cults. . . getting interested or bogged down??? Religion in education has a very small place based on the legal ramifications that it can bring about. Skills, knowledge, and mapping are the only things the law allow the field of education to give its students. Faith, respect, and culture are the things that are ‘inferenced’ to come from home. Knowing that this is not the case in all children’s lives as educators the most we can do is give a ‘cultural’ lesson, if you will, and if religion comes up, it comes up. (but only momentarily) The respect factor is what hinders our understanding in most topics that are this sensitive in nature. For example, the terroristic attacks that have come to our country are deemed religious in nature. But when you get to the heart of the matter, it has nothing to do with religion at all.
These people, in simpler terms, want the US to get out of their country. Now, I am going to play devils advocate, appealing to your sense of patriotism and love for this country, if another tried to come and implement their version of ‘civilization’ on us wouldn’t we deem it necessary to push them out. Don’t get me wrong, I know that there are some fanatics who take things to far, but the essence of why these believe in what they are doing is because they love their own country, as we love ours?
We teach our students, hopefully, not to take what isn’t theirs. And world history shows us over and over again how many nations have tried to ‘mandate’ what civilization should look like, but in the end both side ultimately lose some part of the battle. Respect is vital in this volatile world and if we don’t learn from previous mistakes it will hinder the next generation in ways we cannot imagine. We must do better as a world society for the benefit of those we have audience with on a daily basis. When looking at the ‘main’ religions they all have the same premise, take care of your fellow man, honor your family, honesty, don’t take another’s life, be charitable, and pray. In this we see our similarities even though there are significant differences, the basis is the same. So why not build on the similarities and follow our faiths and be truthful with one another about our intentions, feelings, and needs.
I know those who may read this may ask ‘what type of utopia is she dreaming of?’ One that we can fellowship and worship as we choose with respect towards each other to do so, oh it’s already in existence, the USA. Why do we have to be reminded that this is what we are founded on? The fact that in this country we are created equal no matter your religion, culture, or gender. So no matter how you slice it, at the end of the day we all say Namo Amida, Selah, Shalom, Amen. . .
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