From: ednclark@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au (Jeffrey Clark)
Subject: Re: "Teaching atheism"
Organization: ITC, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Date: 14 Oct 92 23:13:47 GMT

jstump@auntbea.austin.ibm.com (Jack E. Stump) writes:

>In article <n0bcft@ofa123.fidonet.org> David.Rice@ofa123.fidonet.org writes:
>>Tag: amorgan@csd-d-5.Stanford.EDU (Crunchy Frog)
>>And: 1992Oct06.232551.2929@pdnfido.fidonet.org (Joe Beiter)
>>Sub: "Cults"
>> 
>>JB> "So since I am a Christian I should resist any atheistic 
>>JB> teaching in our schools since it would be brainwashing 
>>JB> from my standpoint?"
>> 
>>The question arises: Can atheism be taught? I contend that it
>>cannot. I've asserted before that people are born atheist, and
>>are later indoctrinated by people in their early environment.
>> 
>>[stuff deleted]
>> 
>>Let's suppose that Mr. Joe Beiter is correct, and that some
>>schools do "teach" atheism. What, exactly, could they possibly
>>teach? "There are no Gods, and here's why. . . .?" How can one
>>disprove a negative, when that negative does not lend itself
>>to proof, let alone disproof?
>> 
>>[stuff deleted]
>>
>>So what WOULD be an "atheist teaching?" When someone points out
>>that "Noah's flood" is impossible, that DOES NOT make that person
>>an atheist, nore does it attach religion or the Gods--- it attacks
>>bad science and ignorance: things education is designed to do.
>>
>>--- Maximus 2.00

>I feel that children should be introduced to alternative answers to
>questions that religion supposedly addresses. A teacher could say:
>"Children, you should be aware that the religious schooling you have
>been receiving is NOT universally accepted, and there is a school of
>thought that believes in no supernatural deity at all. Here are their
>views on the matter...." And then let the children make the decisions
>for themselves.

>At least they will get some exposure to different ideas. I know that as
>a typical child in a typical town in a typical state in the US of A, I
>was surrounded by Christians, and rarely did I received any outside
>influence from any other religions or none.

>Which brings up another important source of influence--a child's
>family. Unfortunately, introducing a child to non-christian ideas at
>any early age may just bring the parent's wrath: "Don't you listen to
>that malarky! Let's go to church and clense your soul." Thank god [;-)]
>for my atheistic father, who allowed me to choose what I felt was
>right, and did not force any particular influence on me.

>It is a double-edged sword: You need to implant alternative ideas in a
>child before he is completely brainwashed, but friends and family may
>not let it happen. (I think many parents control their children's minds
>up until high school or sometimes even college. My observation, any way.)

>High school or perhaps college is probably the earliest children can get
>alternative teachings without parental interference. Unfortunately, this
>is probably too late. It is sad that religion is really forced on children.

>Any other thoughts?

Christians seem to make a big point of converting children before they are
able to bring a good body of knowledge into the decision. They also attack
people when they are emotionally unstable after a major life crisis, also a
time when rational thought is not high. I know of a couple of con artists
who use very similar tactics (i.e. attack the weak and feeble). I beleive
that schools should have a compulsory religious education class for probably
about three years at about two hours a week where the top ten most popular
schools of religious thought are presented. In my view this should include Islam
(both types), Hindu, Buddhism, Atheism, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism
and maybe one or two tribal religions. We could extend this class to
political thought as well and include Capitalism, Socialism,
Authoritarianism, Utilitarianism and others. 

This sort of education would be invaluable in presenting a balanced approach
to life philosophies. I beleive if we gave our kids this form of education
during their 7th to 10th years of schooling we may produce more culturally
tolerant, aware and satisfied human beings who have made their own decision
on how to lead their own lives, rather than have it forced upon them before
they realise what social, moral and intellectual binds such views place them
in.

Jeff.

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