Religion and Science together in the classroom?

[Sandra Craft]

A biology teacher gives his opinion:

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/15/my-take-the-scientific-case-for-teaching-religion-and-ethics-in-science-class/?hpt=hp_c3

Teach comparative religion and teach ethics but not in the same class as science -- not in public schools anyway.  Our public schools are already far enough behind, no need to make it worse.

[xSilverPhinx]

I know an atheist in Leeds who teaches RE and philosophy 

Someone who was always an atheist or became one after starting a career in RE and didn't wish to leave?

[Tank]

I know an atheist in Leeds who teaches RE and philosophy 

Someone who was always an atheist or became one after starting a career in RE and didn't wish to leave?

Always an atheist. He started off teaching philosophy at the school. Then the RE teacher left and he was asked if he wanted to take on that subject as well. His atheism actually suits him to the task perfectly as he has no axe to grind about a particular faith and can has no compunction to create a strawman of atheism either.

[squidfetish]

I know an atheist in Leeds who teaches RE and philosophy 

I had responsibility for the RE curriculum when I was teaching primary, and I was an atheist then too.  There's a big difference between Religious Education and Religious Instruction. 

[Tank]

I know an atheist in Leeds who teaches RE and philosophy 

I had responsibility for the RE curriculum when I was teaching primary, and I was an atheist then too.  There's a big difference between Religious Education and Religious Instruction. 

Yes. And in the UK the later is what should (and usually does) happen in most non-faith schools.

[squidfetish]

I had responsibility for the RE curriculum when I was teaching primary, and I was an atheist then too. There's a big difference between Religious Education and Religious Instruction. 

Yes. And in the UK the later is what should (and usually does) happen in most non-faith schools.

Yes indeed. Theoretically, it should be fine for someone of any faith to teach religious education in that they teach it from a "Christians think that...", "Hindus think that.." standpoint without passing judgement on the beliefs or the adherents themelves.  I have encountered teachers who let their bias influence their teaching, occassionally, but this seems to be fading as the old-school types retire and are replaced.

[unholy1971]

The classroom is not the place to discuss relegion unless it's a world religion type class.

[Sweetdeath]

Hopefully an atheist teaching RE will spawn more atheists. XP

[squidfetish]

Hopefully an atheist teaching RE will spawn more atheists. XP

lol @ 'spawn'   

[Sgtmackenzie]

Religion and Science together in the classroom is just an excuse to reintroduce religion into the curriculum.    We've already determined that the scientific method of finding solutions to problems is better than closing our eyes and praying to a God to fix those problems.     Answered prayers are only a problem working itself out that to the religious reaffirm the idea that they can solve problems by "giving them to god".   Someone should let them in on the fact that they can solve problems ALL of the time instead of some of the time by following the scientific method?