Britain has become a nation of religious illiterates

[JimC]

So the head of religion and ethics claims that the problem with lack of religious education is that kids don't get jokes from a 34 year old Monty Python movie? That's the best example he can give? We need religious eduction otherwise generations to come might not be able to laugh along with mocking it? Eh?

We need a modicum of education about that because it's a big foundation of our history of the last 2000 years, and much of it can't be understood without a soldi grounding in what chretinity is and how it evolved.

[cronus]

So the head of religion and ethics claims that the problem with lack of religious education is that kids don't get jokes from a 34 year old Monty Python movie? That's the best example he can give? We need religious eduction otherwise generations to come might not be able to laugh along with mocking it? Eh?

We need a modicum of education about that because it's a big foundation of our history of the last 2000 years, and much of it can't be understood without a soldi grounding in what chretinity is and how it evolved.

Religion can be useful for keeping intelligent idiots occupied. It is harmless once diluted to The English Variety and that should be achievable everywhere.

[jaydot]

they keep trying to flog "we need to know the bible to understand the history", but i don't buy it. i know fuck all about hinduism, shintoism, buddhism and many other -isms, but i don't feel shortened on understanding of the history of countries that practised those religions.

i'd call a lot of what asserted "ineffable bollox".

[Svartalf]

You don't feel, but you are... Buddhism had a major influence on Japan (to the extent that now most Japanese are both buddhist and shintoist and might have trouble guessing what religious rite is from which) because, when introduced, buddhism filled a niche that Shinto did not... and buddhism is the father of zen, amidism and nichiren buddhism, two major factors in shaping Japan's attitude to violent death and hence their attitudes in war.

[Azathoth]

If it is necessary to learn history teach it in fucking history alongside all the other mythologies you need to know about for context. You don't get a seperate class to teach about greco-roman mythology which is much more interesting why should the abrahamic mythology get its own spot?

[Svartalf]

Greco Roman myth deserves its own class.

[klr]

If you tried to make The Life of Brian today it would fall flat on its face because the vast majority of the audience would not get most of the jokes.

As if that is a bad thing. Hopefully, all references to religion - be they jokes or otherwise - will one day be met with puzzlement or better still, utter disinterest.

[JimC]

Scrumple wrote:

It is harmless once diluted to The English Variety and that should be achievable everywhere.

"The Anglican Church - religion's version of homeopathy..."

[Hermit]

If it is necessary to learn history teach it in fucking history alongside all the other mythologies you need to know about for context. You don't get a seperate class to teach about greco-roman mythology which is much more interesting why should the abrahamic mythology get its own spot?

Spot on!

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Technically, this thread should be titled, "Britain has become a nation of religious ignoramuses".

As it stands, it sounds like all Britons are profoundly religious but can't read!

[mistermack]

I think the problem is not so much a lack of knowledge of religion. It's a lack of knowledge of Monty Python.

They should force children to do at least five hours a week of python studies. We are in danger of losing a vital part of our heritage.

[Animavore]

The irony he hasn't touched on is that many people nowadays without much of a clue what is written in the Bible are the same people who would still consider themselves 'Christian' and would get married in the church and have a churchy funeral service etc.

While many of us who pay attention to the completely idiotic/psychotic and unscientifc shite-talk contained within those texts who have completely abandoned it as absurdist nonsense.

[DaveDodo007]

Cheeky bastard, I know all about Noah turning water into wine and Jesus flying to heaven on a winged horse.

[laklak]

I thought you meant it was turning into the Southern U.S. You know, a bunch of illiterates handing snakes around in church.

[Svartalf]

Not quite, though I hear those are having some success exporting their brand of insanity.