What’s the latest controversy about public education in your
area? In my state, the topic is “teaching
about Islam” to elementary and middle school students. Some parents (and outside instigators) are
concerned that the state educational curriculum includes teaching about the
history and beliefs of Islam at certain grade levels.
Of course, there are points in the curriculum where
information about Christianity is provided.
The point is not to indoctrinate students or to convert them to the
Christian faith, but to help them understand the various ways in which the
church and Christian faith have impacted culture and the world we live in
today. So I imagine students learn about the adoption of Christianity by the
Roman Empire, the economic structure supported by the Roman Catholic Church in
the Middle Ages, the opposition of the church to scientific inquiry, the
Crusades, the Reformation, the role of Christian missionaries in the conquest
of the New World, and the charitable work done by Christian institutions such
as hospitals, universities, and orphanages.
In a similar way, students need to learn how other faiths
have contributed to the modern world in both positive and negative ways. Why do they need this background? Why wouldn’t they be better off being
ignorant of this information?
First, if they are going to be able to interact with people of
other cultures, this is vital. When I go
to any gathering at one of my grandchildren’s schools, I see people of various
races and nationalities. They may be
Anglo, Hispanic, African-American, or Asian.
They bring with them their own heritage and culture. Yes, we are all Americans, but our nation has
been influenced by a number of cultures. Only the Native Americans were here first and
we pretty well have ignored what they have to offer. Everything else is imported! Our children need to know their histories in
order to live in community.
Second, if they are to be involved in a global economy, this
is important. Even in the state of
Tennessee, we have companies and industries that are based in Germany, Japan,
Sweden, and many other nations. We are
tied to what happens in the global economy.
Whether we like it or not, we are playing on a global stage and our
children must become global citizens who can function effectively in many cultures.
Third, if they are going to able to interpret and apply their
faith, this is essential. From the first
century, Christianity has faced the challenge of presenting its faith claims in
cultures that were very different from the Jewish setting in which it was
birthed. Gifted interpreters have found
ways to enter into dialogue with other cultures and faith traditions,
discovering ways to present the Christian faith so that it will receive a fair hearing. This presupposes a willingness to have some
understanding of what others hold dear.
We live in a complex world born of centuries of inquiry,
exploration, discovery, and exploitation.
Every nation and culture has elements that cause both pride and shame. Our children need to know these things. They need to learn that we once practiced and
accepted slavery, that communism was attempted and failed, and that National
Socialism almost destroyed the world and was defeated. They also need to know the role that faith
played in this history.
If we fail to give them this background, we do them a
disservice.
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