Atheism to be taught to Irish schoolchildren

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

In a historic move that will cheer Richard Dawkins, atheists in Ireland have secured the right to teach the republic's primary schoolchildren that God doesn't exist.

The first ever atheist curriculum for thousands of primary-school pupils in Ireland has been drawn up by Atheist Ireland in an education system that the Catholic church hierarchy has traditionally dominated.

The class of September 2014 will be reading texts such as Dawkins' The Magic of Reality, his book aimed at children, as well as other material at four different primary levels, according to Atheist Ireland.

Up to 16,000 primary schoolchildren who attend the fast-growing non-denominational Irish school sector will receive direct tuition on atheism as part of their basic introduction course to ethics and belief systems.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/atheism-to-be-taught-irish-schoolchildren

[Happyhippychick]

1. Wow I'm shocked. They only legalized divorce in Ireland in 1995.

I support the idea but I admit I'm surprised (and encouraged) that it happened there.

[dipsydoodle]

3. I'm just bemused.

Seems to be the equivalent of teaching nothing. Might have been easier for children to be able to waive RI classes and do extra physics whatever instead.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Ahem. Studying belief systems is good. Atheists more informed about religion than most christians.

The purpose of the classes is teaching children how to think and analyze and debate and critique.

Critical thinking has a hard time finding a place in modern American elementary education. Might be best not to be so opposed to instruction in critical thinking.

[dipsydoodle]

6. That's a fair explanation

but it doesn't follow that such a class would be called "Atheism".

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. That's why the class is NOT called "Atheism". Please read the Original Post.

The atheism component is a part of a larger program of instruction in belief systems and ethics.

Please read the Original Post.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Because this is the kind of thing that appeared in courses for primary teachers until recently:

Hibernia College Dublin, in its Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education, is teaching as part of its Religion module several untrue statements about atheism and at least two defamatory allegations about modern atheists.

This includes course notes that claim that “What bothers very few of its latter-day exponents is the fact that atheist humanism produced the worst horrors history has ever witnessed, namely Nazism, Fascism and Marxism…” and a mock examination where the student is expected to answer that it is “True” that “Atheist humanism produced the worst horrors history has ever witnessed.”
...

In Ireland, we have got used to Roman Catholic educational institutions discriminating against atheists and against religious people who are not Roman Catholics. It is sad that we now find Hibernia College in Dublin, a nonreligious educational institution, doing the same in its Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education. Can you please let us know what you are empowered to do, and what you intend to do, to address the following concerns?

http://www.michaelnugent.com/2012/02/28/hibernia-college-teaches-defamatory-allegations-about-atheists/

So it would be a good idea for atheists to appear in ethics lessons as something other than the Progenitors Of All That Is Evil.

[RC]

2. Now, if they would only do that here.

[inch4progress]

4. Unfortunately, it seems this is only for children whose parents opt them out of RE classes

At least that is what I gathered from the article.

[avebury]

7. Could you imagine the reaction here

if schools taught atheism in the schools?

[BlueJazz]

9. Could you blame them.? I mean, now all those sweet innocent children are going straight to hell.

or not.

[hughee99]

13. I suspect atheists would be very upset about teaching religion in school. n/t

[AtheistCrusader]

10. Dunno. I don't find this terribly impressive.

As an awareness thing or comparative religion subject, the positive claim of atheism is ok to teach, but outside that, the position should rather be NOT to teach religious dogma in public schools. Not to positively claim there is no god.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. I think the article isn't very clear - this is 'awareness or comparative religion'

Our lessons about atheism will be based on the Toledo guiding principles and will be taught in an objective, critical and pluralist manner. They will teach about atheism, not teach atheism.

http://www.michaelnugent.com/2013/09/21/atheist-ireland-to-develop-first-irish-course-about-atheism-for-primary-schools/#more-7621

[AtheistCrusader]

15. Oh, if that's the case, it's totally fine/normal.

This is what comparative religion classes are FOR.

[snooper2]

12. Doesn't make a lot of sense..everyone is born an atheist

You have to teach a child that there are mystical creatures in the sky watching every move you make...

Maybe it does in a society bombarded by religion though, will they have an online class

[PatrynXX]

16. oh great another religion for them to fight over

do'h

[Bernardo de La Paz]

17. What religion would that be? Atheism is not a religion.

[awoke_in_2003]

19. My hobby is not collecting stamps...

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. Why do you view atheism as a religion? That is the implication of your "hobby" declaration. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

21. I do not view it is a religion...

I was adding to the post that said "atheism is a religion like not playing chess is a hobby". I was joking to prove a point. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[awoke_in_2003]

18. I am an atheist...

My feelings- take religion out of schools, and start concentrating on math, science, and critical thinking. The rest will take care of itself.