Re: Evolution, in History classes?

Re: Evolution, in History classes?

Don H

From: Don H Subject: Re: Evolution, in History classes? Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 18:38:54 GMT History of Religion could well be taught in all schools, without being unduly controversal. Judaism came before Christianity which preceded Islam; not that this implies Islam is superior, merely later. Hinduism produced Buddism. Etc. It's odd that I learnt about the pantheon of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses at State School, yet also learnt about "God" at Sunday School, without pondering any connection between them. On the other hand, "prehistoric man, animals" did pose a query about Adam & Eve, and Noah's Ark. I later used to wonder why people continued to believe in religion when facts tended otherwise - but then it's not really a matter of evidence; it's about wanting Eternal Life. What's our strongest instinct? Self-preservation; ergo, we want to live forever, and people will rationalise accordingly. Islamic terrorists think they'll go to Paradise; which, coupled with a miserable existence here, gives them their incentive; plus, hatred of the Great Satan (USA), and its henchman, Israel. All of which makes "religious schools" dangerous in my opiniion: they produce "tunnel vision", a restricted and fanatical viewpoint, based on partial knowledge of human history. Their own beliefs are the only true ones; all non-believers are seen as mad or bad, or both. ================================ wrote in message news:1103497964.454675.9770@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > > I'd claim there is an Evolution of Religion, thus: > > (1) Naturism - an animal fear of Nature itself; > > (2) Animism - belief in spirits in rocks, trees, animals, including > > fetishism, totemism, voodoo. > > (3) Polytheism - the anthropomorphic deities; pantheism of gods and > > goddesses; evolved from tribal gods; ancestor worship. (Religion at > its > > peak) > > (4) Monotheism - the elimination of rival gods by the jealous god of > the > > Israelites or similar; the cosmic, no-graven-image God of theology. > > (5) Atheism - a consequence of the rise of Science and Technology; > the god > > hypothesis rendered redundant. > > However, this is only my own historical theory, and I can't claim > or > > advocate that it be taught in schools as history - yet. > > > I have never thought about the "Evolution of Religion" as this - I > think that teaching religion in schools is better done in the fashion > you have described as opposed to teaching about individual religions > (i.e. Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, etc). That way our students are > able to get an overview of the concepts behind religions and why they > are a part of the lives and cultures of so many people. Also, it > possibly allows the teacher or discussion leader to be a bit less > biased (maybe) because there are no specific religions being taught, > only concepts. >