How important is RE as a subject?

One of my friends got in an argument with one of the teachers. He said that because 'you either believe in God or you don't', that 'Religious Education is pointless'. Now, to some extent, he has a point, but is he completely right?

whats RE 

RE?

" RE? "

If one is studying literature then it's worth it to at least look at religious books to see what kind of influences they had on normal literature.

I thought you were talking about resident evil when you said RE.

I thought RE was Resident Evil.

" I thought you were talking about resident evil when you said RE. "

as an English major

Paradise Lost is basically bible fan-fiction, and even without the religious stuff the concepts and ideas still make it one of the best works ever

" I thought RE was Resident Evil. "

 Not to get into any religious debate but being an atheist I always resented having to attend RE classes, it was always fun getting into arguments with the teacher but I've always been under the impression that it shouldn't be compulsory, at least within my education system (N.Ireland).

What does RE have to do with student's personal beliefs? Your friend is a retard.

The whole point about RE is to teach students to make opinions that are even and un biased . AS long as you do that you'll get a A even if you a Nazi

Are you doing GCSE? It does not matter if you beleive in God or not it's the easiest exam you will ever take so might as well do it just to make your CV pretty. I too at the time though it was pointless but I suppose it teaches you a little about other cultures, dosnt mean you have to become a devout christian just to sit in a classroom for a few hours a week.

" The whole point about RE is to teach students to make opinions that are even and un biased . AS long as you do that you'll get a A even if you a Nazi "

R.E. would be good if they were just discussion groups, you didn't have to do any work and could get away with whatever.
 
The problem is when you have Catholic schools giving GCSE students as many RE lessons in a week as they do Maths, which is what happened to me. 
 
I remember one lesson, I proposed that the indoctrination of children into religion from an early age was akin to brainwashing. My teacher found this amusing and decided to ask the rest of the class, the majority of whom I assume were Christians and had never thought to question their beliefs, if they felt like they'd been brainwashed.
 
Well, if they did, the brainwashing obviously didn't work very well did it?
 
I also remember spending a lesson on homosexuality. We had to write a paragraph about it or something. I took much delight in putting in as many euphemisms for butt sex as I could.
 
I got a D in R.E. for my GCSEs, which is pretty good considering some of the bullshit I wrote. Not that it matters any more, I'm still doing Physics at Bristol.

" R.E. would be good if they were just discussion groups, you didn't have to do any work and could get away with whatever.  The problem is when you have Catholic schools giving GCSE students as many RE lessons in a week as they do Maths, which is what happened to me.   I remember one lesson, I proposed that the indoctrination of children into religion from an early age was akin to brainwashing. My teacher found this amusing and decided to ask the rest of the class, the majority of whom I assume were Christians and had never thought to question their beliefs, if they felt like they'd been brainwashed.  Well, if they did, the brainwashing obviously didn't work very well did it? I also remember spending a lesson on homosexuality. We had to write a paragraph about it or something. I took much delight in putting in as many euphemisms for butt sex as I could.  I got a D in R.E. for my GCSEs, which is pretty good considering some of the bullshit I wrote. Not that it matters any more, I'm still doing Physics at Bristol. "

Okay so i am the 'friend' and well basically i got into a fight the the RE teachers and said that it is pointless to learn which i think it is... Okay to me you believe in god or you don't END OF... I am a Muslim and i believe in Allah which is God and so what is the point in learning it to learn about other people's religions? 1) i ready know about it... 2) Why do i need to?.. 3) If i do i can ask them myself for THEIR point of view not from some stupid teachers 4) Why do we need to learn about the crappy stuff they teach us in RE coz its all bull..............

" Okay so i am the 'friend' and well basically i got into a fight the the RE teachers and said that it is pointless to learn which i think it is... Okay to me you believe in god or you don't END OF... I am a Muslim and i believe in Allah which is God and so what is the point in learning it to learn about other people's religions? 1) i ready know about it... 2) Why do i need to?.. 3) If i do i can ask them myself for THEIR point of view not from some stupid teachers 4) Why do we need to learn about the crappy stuff they teach us in RE coz its all bull.............. "

It is important to understand other peoples beliefs, not just your own.
 
 
Until you get your qualifications.

Not important at all.  The point isn't to actually educate you about religion and its influence on society (which might actually have merit), the whole thing is just a morality lecture for two years - essentially "be tolerant of everybody and everything" - I don't think teaching morals in a classroom is possible or appropriate.  Schools should concern themselves with preparing children to become productive members of society - not brainwashing them into being weak-willed drones.
 
It's about as inappropriate as pressuring children to take an oath of allegiance to a flag every morning.

Yes, I take Resident Evil very seriously.

Religious education is very important. It is a brilliant way of teaching kids about other cultures. It should probably be broadened out into "Cultural Studies" which looks at other cultures in a broader sense, not specifically looking at religion, but something along the lines or RE is very important for children.

" Yes, I take Resident Evil very seriously. "

" @dbz1995:  GOOOOOD and people i am not planning on doing englishy crap either thats all bullshit too you know ughh and plus wats the point OF IT ITS ALL CRAP BULLSHIT! "

" Religious education is very important. It is a brilliant way of teaching kids about other cultures. It should probably be broadened out into "Cultural Studies" which looks at other cultures in a broader sense, not specifically looking at religion, but something along the lines or RE is very important for children. "

" Religious education is very important. It is a brilliant way of teaching kids about other cultures. It should probably be broadened out into "Cultural Studies" which looks at other cultures in a broader sense, not specifically looking at religion, but something along the lines or RE is very important for children. "

" @dbz1995:  GOOOOOD and people i am not planning on doing englishy crap either thats all bullshit too you know ughh and plus wats the point OF IT ITS ALL CRAP BULLSHIT! "

Being an atheist, I think It's extremely important. I kind of like to think of it as Ancient Mythology or Ancient History - Think about it. In Mythology classes, you learn about the cool gods and deities that the Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, African, etc cultures used to worship and it's actually really interesting. Although one may not believe in the religion being taught in said RE classes, I think it's still important to see the other side JUST so you can have some knowledge on what it is that the majority of the population believes in, and base your own beliefs (or non beliefs) from that. Think of it as going to a fine dining restaurant not to eat the food, but to see the ingredients. Then maybe you can go home and make a dish that tastes even better :P 

" @Herreno:  YEAA BUT I ALREDI DO... thts what im sayin in high skl the RE they teach u is bullshit... yes i understand till year 6 RE is fine but in high school they don't teach you about other religions or anything like that!! its messed up sooo badly its like god doesnt exist... n yr like DUDE WTF! "

" @Herreno:  YEAA BUT I ALREDI DO... thts what im sayin in high skl the RE they teach u is bullshit... yes i understand till year 6 RE is fine but in high school they don't teach you about other religions or anything like that!! its messed up sooo badly its like god doesnt exist... n yr like DUDE WTF! "

" @iAmJohn said:

as an English major

I am so very sorry :P "

Pretty much echoing the opinions of most people in here but anyway, religious education these days is more about teaching about other religions, their practices and cultural influence rather than practicing religion itself. Being an athiest myself I still found it interesting, afterall, a lot of art, buildings and literature have been made in the name in religion and it's incredible what it can make, massive churches specifcally.

I get the feeling that RE refers to a specific practice I'm not familiar with, but I think discussing the issue in general is worth merit.
 
Teaching the basic tenets and historical backgrounds of prominent religions is a good idea, as that information is definitely something that an educated person should learn. The issue comes with neutrality, as religion is so naturally divisive that it's next to impossible to present in a neutral, academic manner.

" One of my friends got in an argument with one of the teachers. He said that because 'you either believe in God or you don't', that 'Religious Education is pointless'. Now, to some extent, he has a point, but is he completely right? "