ghost

[dmo]

my son 11 is in yr7 at a catholic high school
his english project at the moment is on ghosts and he has to re-serch them

aibu to think that this is not a topic i would like my son to look into esp being a catholic school, when you die you die and go to haven not stay on earth being a ghost

should i say something to school?

JZ7, you must let us know when your book is published.

The usual justification for teaching religion to the children of atheists is that since people do believe in religion it's important to know about it. Presumably it works both ways then.

Yea Very good point onager!

Although I know Atheists 'don't believe in God/gods, they say they don't believe in religion.

But actually Atheism or anything we believe in even if we don't believe in God/gods the principles underpinneing Atheism is a religion/Faith itself!

Everybody has a belief system it may not be the traditional ones like Christian, Catholic, Islam etc.. but how you live your life and your personal values and lifestyle is its own religion or Faith.

As the definition of Religion is about following principles, values, regulations or understandings that influence how you choose to live your life.

So naturally Atheists would be in the same position as anyone else encouraged to learn all faiths/religions, like Muslim,Jewish children learn christianity (including Catholic faith and all other versions!)

Funny tho but has anyone heard of Atheism being taught in schools? Hmmmm interesting bet this is one area that does not get much attention. I know I am a Chrisitan but if we are meant to be inclusive surely Atheist views should be included too!

JZ

There is no problem on being open minded. It is abit out there!...what is the harm, we are Atheist too...may be intresting to read what your child comes up with.

It is a wonder sometimes where they get the ideas from for the homework. My DDs homework is to design an alcoholic drink(she is 13)

JZ let me shake you by the hand. That is the first time I have ever heard an evangelical believer suggest that an atheist viewpoint should be included in school teaching about religions and worldviews.
I disagree that atheism or humanism are 'religions' though. A religion includes the belief in some kind of persona/higher being/god/supernatural force; athiests and humanists have all kinds of differing attitudes and outlooks, it's just that none of those outlooks include anything supernatural.

I would wager the ghost topic is feeding into some broader school topic and is, therefore, a reasonable and interesting subject to research.

Unless the teacher is just nutz.

Solidgoldetc...
Thanks, I think we when society puts labels on people they limit peoples understanding and oppourtunities to share ideas, insights and life experience without being judged by the label to define them.

The Atheism thing is it or not a religion, well I use a dictionary definition to define the meaning and it does not refer to anything supernatural !!

I still think though Atheism comes under a belief system in a broader sense but each persons own choice of their belief system that may include anything they want. So Atheists could claim they don't follow or have a god but they couldn't claim they don't have a belief system.
So in a school system they should include Atheism on the basis that all faiths and religions are based on a belief system. And schools not including Atheism are being discriminatory and possibly oppressive as for children in a family who believe and follow Atheism it is their cultural environment.

I know some Atheists follow beleifs of focus on the self and improving yourself and helping others to help do the same.

JZ

Sorry solidetc.. or anyone

So is it still the case that Atheism is still taboo in school teaching even in state schools?

JZ

I think he would be allowed to believe in the most important Catholic ghost of all, The Holy Ghost (also known as the Holy Spirit).
Let him do his research on him.
Simple

no, atheism is not taboo in state schools

Pointydog: it's not taboo to be an atheist in a state school, but the default position of all DC, especially with regard to assemblies, religious education, cultural differences etc, is always assumed to be belief in some sort of god. THe fact that plenty of people hold no such beliefs is rarely if ever mentioned.

But cultural differences does not necessarily refer to people believing in God/gods/supernatural etc.. it refers or should refer to all philosophies and beliefs of all families and nations as long as they are not promoting harm or concern for ones wellbeing.

For example I think the only one area I would not support is Satan worship thats one belief system that has no place anywhere!

JZ

It's not taboo to talk about it, solid, but I do think you have a point in terms of it just not being mentioned. In primary schools, at least. I would hope secondary schools would raise the issue but I'm not sure.

JZ7: From what I know about Satanism it isn't necessarily any dafter or nastier than any other belief systems. Most 'Satanists' are either teenage Goths being silly and trying to wind up Christian parents or teachers, or they are humanists/atheists who like to wind people up as well.