Our outer world should be learned rather than accepted without purpose is of great lesson for the society of today and tomorrow. My school, GCE, had multiple classes mentioning religion but having not delved too much into the subject. Who Am I, Drama, and Argument touch the topic, but the school itself see it as taboo to dive deeper within this knowledge. Giving off a statement that the subject could damage the idea of a “secular school.” The same idea goes for CPS schools, in which certain teachings of the religion are prohibited within their conduct. “such practices can be accommodated in a manner which does not violate the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and to the extent that the accommodation does not place an undue burden on the School.” Chicago Public Schools Policy Manual: ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENT RELIGIOUS PRACTICES This document, however, tries to argue against this notion or taboo, and show while these teaching are necessary. Christianity, Buddhism, Muslamic, and Judaism have affected the world around students, both negatively (sexual oppression, scientific resistance, etc) and positively (family heritage, spiritual consciousness, etc) to the point where it cannot be ignored. Such as with Martin Luther, who separate himself to gain a better understanding of his own faith, it should be wise to teach religion within the curriculum of GCE only to analyse it. Only within such a sceptical and scientific viewpoint rather than moral. It is a right of any student to study the matter of religion who are willing. Furthermore, they must follow this right through the question why religion exist and what is the best way to understand it. My understanding of religion is best when it has little connect to my heritage. Examples including Buddhism, Greek mythology, Norse mythology, and many more. I believe GCE would be the perfect environment to study it rather then in the comforts of your home. This being based around the schools philosophy of learning. “ students embrace real-world applications and connections, and understand the relevancy of their academic studies.” GCE allows a sort of “safe space” where one could state opinions on the subject as a science and not be scorn by peers. Furthermore, it gives the resource to different opinions from differing backgrounds rather than family members who most likely been through the same religious experience. Not to mention the purpose of learning is to use that experience within the real world, just as stated with the school. Politics and religion have been within a mixed bag throughout the history of the US, so it shouldn’t be restricted within the teachings of GCE. Within the website, GCE promises:
“Civic engagement is built right into our daily life.” However, despite having multiple lessons which include legal cases based around religion, (Argument and Drama specifically), there seems to be a separation between the two. In order to understand politics within American society, one must acknowledge the buildup and history behind it. This including religion and the mentality it brings upon the humans for motivation against certain minorities.
Even if one does not understand the subject of religion, they could at least understand how it inspires. Coming back to history, religion has set a basic of art from Greek painters to the modern day usage of symbolism and dissection of story. A personal favorite of mine is Devilman Crybaby series where it’s own philosophy is based around criticizing religion with the use of its own symbols. Still, the point stands of the idea of religion (whether to critic it or praise) to create knew concepts based off of old and to give more significance to both the medium and the practice. I understand what is wanted is much within the GCE curriculum to be not have hesitation. But I do believe there should a class based around the premises, and turn into reality. I have a few resources that could help the advancement of the study. -
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Videos within the viewpoints of atheist and religious fundamentalist shown side by side. Recommendation on TellTale and Cosmic Sceptic Books that bring upon the study of several viewpoints on affection of lives and how each writer uses their religion to support their argument. Recommendations on A letter to a Christian Nation, The Art of Happiness, and Being Rich Experiences that help with direct word of priest and why there perspective on contrasting religions. Recommendations on Muslim Community Center, Midwest Buddhist Temple, and St.Ignatius Direct sources of text. Recommendations being the Bible, Koran, and Old Testament Field Experiences that show the negatives and positives of religion within a secular view. Recommendations being The Art Institute of Chicago and Freedom from Religion Foundation. Books that disconnect from religion within a scientific viewpoint rather than philosophical. Recommendation being The Origin of Species
If we were able to put this study into commision, the benefit of students would arise highly. The desires for this study are; 1. Understanding of history and human nature 2. Understanding of motivation and art 3. Discovering how people overlap certain stories despite not interacting within their own history
4. Thinking critically about media that includes these sort of lessons and trying to dissect the meaning. It should be an unalienable right for one to understand the world around them, which includes religious affairs.
“Our Approach” gcelabschool.org, GCE Lab School, W eb, 2019, Feb 14, 2019 “Student Code of Conduct” cps.edu, 2019 Chicago Public Schools, Web, November 15, 2018, February 14, 2019