Religion in public schools is one of the most discussed issues in daily school life. The problem is that state and church are seperatet and noone is allowed in interfering in the authority of the other part. This essay deals with “Religion in Public Schools”. The differences between Germany and the United States should be compared and the different aspects will be described with the ulterior motive of religious freedom in both nations.
In the first part the importance of religion will be pointed out, in addition the aspect “religion in every day school life” and futhermore the topic of religion as a subject will be discussed. This part is in regard to the whole essay the more thoretical section. The second part shows the practical paragraph of teaching religion as a subject, different approaches to teaching religion and the difficulties with different religious beliefs of students. The settlement is a summary where the main points are being combined with my own ideas and thougths.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Importance of religion
- Religion in every day school-life
- Religion as a subject
- Teaching Religion as a subject
- Different approaches to teaching religion
- Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay explores the complex issue of religion in public schools, comparing the situations in Germany and the United States. It aims to understand the different approaches to teaching religion in each country, considering the importance of religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
- The importance of religion in daily life and education.
- The role of religious freedom in both countries.
- The impact of different religious beliefs on students and teaching practices.
- The historical context of religious freedom in Germany and the United States.
- Different approaches to teaching religion as a subject.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of religion in public schools and highlights the differences between Germany and the United States. It emphasizes the separation of church and state and the importance of religious freedom in both nations.
- Importance of religion: This chapter discusses the significance of religion in both daily life and education. It examines the role of religion in the German Basic Constitutional Law and highlights historical events related to religious freedom in Germany. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of belief for young children's character development.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords of this essay include religious freedom, separation of church and state, teaching religion, Germany, United States, religious beliefs, historical context, and character development. The essay focuses on the different approaches to teaching religion in public schools and the complexities of navigating different religious beliefs within the educational system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between religion in German and US public schools?
The essay compares the legal and practical approaches, noting that while both nations value religious freedom, Germany often includes religion as a formal subject in the curriculum, whereas the US maintains a stricter separation of church and state.
How does the German Basic Law address religious education?
The German constitution (Grundgesetz) protects religious freedom and provides the framework for religious instruction as a regular subject in most public schools, often in cooperation with religious communities.
What challenges arise from diverse religious beliefs in schools?
Schools face difficulties in accommodating students of various faiths, ensuring neutrality, and managing conflicts between secular educational goals and specific religious traditions.
Why is religion considered important for a child's character development?
The text suggests that religious education can play a role in shaping moral values, providing a sense of identity, and helping children understand the historical and cultural context of their society.
What are the common approaches to teaching religion?
Approaches range from denominational instruction (teaching *of* a faith) to non-denominational ethics classes or comparative religious studies (teaching *about* religion).
- Citation du texte
- Simone Hummert (Auteur), 2004, Religion in Public Schools, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/44491
