Should teachers be allowed to talk about their faith?

[Banana Jelly]

So my spanish teacher, who is a Roman Catholic from Columbia, goes on and on about how we are all created by god. Sure everyone in my class may be christian, except 4-5 who either are atheists, or muslim.

I am a theist by the way.

However, I get offended when he says that "we are all created by god" "servants of god". Yes, as a muslim, I do believe that. Since we basically believe in the same god you do. But it annoys me considerably that he talks about it as if everyone if christian. Sure I may not look that muslim, so people confuse me as christian, but I told him several times, my faith.

It's like he is trying to FORCE the religion into us.

Then their is my Literature class, where my teacher although not as religious as my spanish teacher, when we read and review books from classic times, he never says "god" "Jesus". If it offends you to say it, DON'T BECOME A TEACHER. You are hired to be secular inside a PUBLIC school. This isn't a private school.

What is your opinion?

[Angrychris]

Rules are rules but you seem to get offended easly. When you get older your gonna hear alot of things you dont agree with.

[Banana Jelly]

Rules are rules but you seem to get offended easly. When you get older your gonna hear alot of things you dont agree with.

I understand that. I don't hate him however, he's a good teacher, and give's awesome marks in my grade. However, he talks about his faith almost everyday inside a public school, which is supposed to be secular. He forces his beliefs to us. I do not understand how Spanish class relates to religion in anyway, or how conjugating spanish verbs are relating to God. He wastes a good 1/3 of the period talking about his life and so on. I don't mind since it takes off the time that we do work in class, but when he tries to force religion, it's just kind of annoying.

If he is able to talk about his faith, I would like to start a debate, but he quickly downplays anyone (including me) who want's to start a debate with him. However he is the one who believes "Modern children are corrupted by electronics" "Schools are the way it is now, because they're not christian". I don't really think it's me becoming easily offended. It's just him that sends the tone.

[Mr. Scott]

I understand that. I don't hate him however, he's a good teacher, and give's awesome marks in my grade. However, he talks about his faith almost everyday inside a public school, which is supposed to be secular. He forces his beliefs to us. I do not understand how Spanish class relates to religion in anyway, or how conjugating spanish verbs are relating to God. He wastes a good 1/3 of the period talking about his life and so on. I don't mind since it takes off the time that we do work in class, but when he tries to force religion, it's just kind of annoying.

If he is able to talk about his faith, I would like to start a debate, but he quickly downplays anyone (including me) who want's to start a debate with him. However he is the one who believes "Modern children are corrupted by electronics" "Schools are the way it is now, because they're not christian". I don't really think it's me becoming easily offended. It's just him that sends the tone.

It does not sound as though he is forcing his beliefs on anyone. If he says that "Jesus is the son of god and you are wrong, so here's an F", then he's forcing it on you.

However, he should tone down a bit on his expression of faith. But at my school my English teacher was very religious and expressed her faith numerous times throughout the class, but she never imposed it on anyone.

This teacher sounds as though he's simply expressing his fate, which a LOT of people do EVERYWHERE.

[Ancient Aliens]

So my spanish teacher, who is a Roman Catholic from Columbia, goes on and on about how we are all created by god. Sure everyone in my class may be christian, except 4-5 who either are atheists, or muslim.

I am a theist by the way.

However, I get offended when he says that "we are all created by god" "servants of god". Yes, as a muslim, I do believe that. Since we basically believe in the same god you do. But it annoys me considerably that he talks about it as if everyone if christian. Sure I may not look that muslim, so people confuse me as christian, but I told him several times, my faith.

It's like he is trying to FORCE the religion into us.

Then their is my Literature class, where my teacher although not as religious as my spanish teacher, when we read and review books from classic times, he never says "god" "Jesus". If it offends you to say it, DON'T BECOME A TEACHER. You are hired to be secular inside a PUBLIC school. This isn't a private school.

What is your opinion?

This sounds like the makings of an easily winnable lawsuit

[Bjorn]

Ill say what my literature teacher once said.

He one day was talking about some work, and the work seems to contradict some religious values. He simply said "Listen up! Here you're going to learn this. It doesnt matter what you believe, it doesnt matter if you dont agree." He then opened the door and left the room parcially and said "Ahhh, but I disagree! I think that this guy's idea is wrong and such and such" And then he came back into the room "Fine, outside of this room you can think whatever you want, but as soon as you enter that door, leave your religion outside."

[Banana Jelly]

Ill say what my literature teacher once said.

He one day was talking about some work, and the work seems to contradict some religious values. He simply said "Listen up! Here you're going to learn this. It doesnt matter what you believe, it doesnt matter if you dont agree." He then opened the door and left the room parcially and said "Ahhh, but I disagree! I think that this guy's idea is wrong and such and such" And then he came back into the room "Fine, outside of this room you can think whatever you want, but as soon as you enter that door, leave your religion outside."

That is however acceptable. He has his beliefs but inside the classroom leave it out. None of your forcing bull crap.

[Bjorn]

that what I believe. For me, you can be whatever you want, but classrooms are secular unless stated otherwise by the school before the person enters it...

[Sphere]

Promoting religion is unconstitutional in this situation.

[Rex Germanius]

Is he really forcing his religion upon you? Does he discriminate against you for disagreeing? Does he enforce school prayer? Speaking upon religion incessantly is untoward in a Spanish class given that it is a severe waste of time; however, that does not translate as unconstitutional.

I believe the United States constitution contains a so-called "Establishment Clause", wherein, government cannot establish a religion, and also, a "Free Exercise Clause", whereby, government cannot restrict citizens from following any religion they wish or favour any religion. The only case that can be made, and shaky at that, is his "lectures" on belief are favouring Roman Catholicism. Question: are any other religions discussed?

[Ancient Aliens]

Is he really forcing his religion upon you? Does he discriminate against you for disagreeing? Does he enforce school prayer? Speaking upon religion incessantly is untoward in a Spanish class given that it is a severe waste of time; however, that does not translate as unconstitutional.

I believe the United States constitution contains a so-called "Establishment Clause", wherein, government cannot establish a religion, and also, a "Free Exercise Clause", whereby, government cannot restrict citizens from following any religion they wish or favour any religion. The only case that can be made, and shaky at that, is his "lectures" on belief are favouring Roman Catholicism. Question: are any other religions discussed?

The fact that it encompasses 1/3 of his lectures means that, regardless of whether or not it is unconstitutional, he is wasting time. And time is money when you are on state payroll, meaning he should be fired.

[Rex Germanius]

The fact that it encompasses 1/3 of his lectures means that, regardless of whether or not it is unconstitutional, he is wasting time. And time is money when you are on state payroll, meaning he should be fired.

Your post is written as though I am not in concurrence with you. See lines 3-4 of my original post.

[Banana Jelly]

Is he really forcing his religion upon you? Does he discriminate against you for disagreeing? Does he enforce school prayer? Speaking upon religion incessantly is untoward in a Spanish class given that it is a severe waste of time; however, that does not translate as unconstitutional.

I believe the United States constitution contains a so-called "Establishment Clause", wherein, government cannot establish a religion, and also, a "Free Exercise Clause", whereby, government cannot restrict citizens from following any religion they wish or favour any religion. The only case that can be made, and shaky at that, is his "lectures" on belief are favouring Roman Catholicism. Question: are any other religions discussed?

Your answer to your question: No. No other religion except Roman Catholic Christianity is discussed. Not a hint of Islam either, unless he's either bashing it saying "Uh-Oh" (as a joke) when someone said there are muslims in Manhattan, as a joke.. Atheism occasionally when he bashes it unintelligently.

[Blau&Gruen]

Should teachers be allowed to talk about their faith?

It's unprofessional to talk too much about your Self in front of a class.

[Blaze86420]

I wouldn't really care one way or another. Chances are I'm probably sleeping when something like this is going on in class.

[Armenum]

In public schools, no. As a strong secularist, I believe that religion and government should not intersect, so governmental entities and entities supported by the government like Public Schools should be devoid of such religion.

[Dominicvs]

In public schools, no. As a strong secularist, I believe that religion and government should not intersect, so governmental entities and entities supported by the government like Public Schools should be devoid of such religion.

But as a side question, do you believe public schools should teach atheism (evolution, the big bang theory, etc) as fact. The public high school I previously went to until I finished Year 12 taught atheism as fact.

My personal opinion is atheism, evolution, etc and all faith and religion, should be left out of public schools all together, its up to your own opinions to what you believe, and shouldn't be influenced by others.

[Khassaki]

But as a side question, do you believe public schools should teach atheism (evolution, the big bang theory, etc) as fact. The public high school I previously went to until I finished Year 12 taught atheism as fact.

My personal opinion is atheism, evolution, etc and all faith and religion, should be left out of public schools all together, its up to your own opinions to what you believe, and shouldn't be influenced by others.

Its called science. Its taught as fact because it is. The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and Religion are not taught because they myths

[Dominicvs]

Its called science. Its taught as fact because it is. The Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and Religion are not taught because they myths

It is certainly not a fact, it has evidence, but not enough to become a fact. Until its undisputed and agreed upon with no possible way around it, its not fact. Its an alternative for people who believe there is no meaning to life.

[NONOPUST]

The job of a teacher is to teach more than just facts. Their job is to prepare their pupils for adult life. This means acting as a good example and imparting good values. They are surrogate parents for several hours a day. If those values come from religion then how can you teach them without also teaching religion?

I’m an atheist but I still think teaching religion can impart many good lessons about how good people should live. What is the alternative?

Common sense and decency, teaching the law perhaps? You do not need religion to have good values/morals.

It is certainly not a fact, it has evidence, but not enough to become a fact. Until its undisputed and agreed upon with no possible way around it, its not fact. Its an alternative for people who believe there is no meaning to life.

It has enough evidence to practically be fact. No other process provides more evidence or reasoning than they do (scientific theories including evolution, big bang, etc.). As I said, believing in a god(s) and science is not mutually exclusive either.

Bold part: Uh, what?