The Effect of Religion on Education
Religion has played an important part in the development of education ever since the beginning, even before the creation of schools. The first schools, which were monasteries, started around the Dark Ages, approximately 450 A.D.; Back then, education's only purpose was to people of the religious persuasion, especially Christianity. Christianity is the religion that has most affected education, and so was the case back then, too. Those people I was talking about before were the ones with the power, however. The pope commanded more respect and authority than the king, the church taxed the people, and the church dictated the laws of the land. The church was in charge of the people's souls, so they took responsibility for everything else. Even the king and his court was subject to the church's rule, as no one would really stand up to the church's authority. So of course, certain people in the church became corrupt and used religion as a way to coerce their own fortunes or luxuries. This went on for hundreds of years. Some of the abuses were issues of immorality, such as the practices of celibacy not being followed and indulgences (pardons for your sins) and offices were sold out. Erasmus, a monk and humanist who wrote "In Praise of Folley", was one of the first people who outright condemned the abuses of the church. He believed education should develop piety and morality, and should give the people vocational skills.
Then around the 1300's, around the time of Protestant Reformation, a monk named Martin Luther became the first well-known opposer of the church's abuses. He wrote many books, some of which stirred popular unrest among the people. Around this time, more people started think...
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...re other countries in the world where religion plays a part in the educational system, but more and more countries are shying away from it.
In conclusion, Religion (especially Christianity) has played an important part in Education all over the world up to about the 1700's. There are still some lasting reminders, though, such as colleges once built for religious purposes but now the prominent secular education centers. Some examples are Harvard University (1636), College of New Jersey (later named Princeton, founded by Presbyterians in 1746), Kings College (later named Columbia University, founded by Anglicans in 1754), and the College of Rhode Island (later named Brown University, founded by the Baptists in 1764). But needless to say, the contributions given to education by religion can never be replaced or taken back, and maybe it's better that way.
Religion has greatly influenced western civilization. Religion is a way to express ourselves in our own way. To be able to choose who or what we believe in freely. This gives us a sense of individualism and helps our civilization to grow and develop each religion. Just about every ancient culture practiced religion in some way. They were either monotheist, polytheist, atheist, or believed in “magic”. Western civilization was impacted by religion in more ways than one. Every religion contributed in their own way. Some religions even worked together to help create a stronger, more structured civilization.
Martin Luther, was “temperamental, peevish, egomaniacal, and argumentative” (Hooker, www.wsu.edu), but played a pivotal role in history. During Luther's time as a monk, the Catholic Church was selling indulgences. Luther took notice to the corruption and began to reason that men can only get their salvation through Jesus Christ, not the Pope or indulgences, let alone the Church itself. Luther began ...
“In the light of our present day educational systems the idea of Church controlled education may appear to some as inefficient. However, the pioneering done in Virginia under the direction of the Established Church serve4 as a good example for the American educational ideal” (Duffy, 1946).
...ning of one small but powerful man, Martin Luther. Luther was a holy person himself and he began noticing the corruption in the Church. He tolerated everything till the last straw in which he saw a priest, Johann Tetzel selling indulgences. Tetzel said that for a certain amount of money, he said that he would assure their entry to heavens and as well as their dead relatives as well. This final outrage lead Luther into writing his 95 theses about indulgences. This would lead to the questioning of the Church and soon it would lead to the exposure of the Church throughout Europe by one powerful weapon that Luther had. And that was the printing press. Within a few nights, all of europe came to know the truth about the Church and many people were happy that finally, someone had told everyone about how the Church really was. Many changes occurred during this period.
California school with about 1,000 students) I learned a lot about how religion is taught and how religious issues are handled. Raised in a Christian home, having my father teaching at the same school I attended, and practicing Christianity my entire life, I watched carefully throughout my high school education to see how my teachers would deal with the world and U.S. religions that play an enormous role in the history of our world and country.
At this time, religion played a major role on the educational system in the sense that all types of religious groups were represented in the American school system, but they were challenged with how they could be loyal to their religions beliefs. With the 'Pledge of Allegiance' present, some people felt as though the values of Americans and the "Creators'" beliefs should be taught in the classrooms. Of course, others felt that religion and school should be separate. As a result of disagreements such as these, many problems arose.
Webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk, (2014). [ARCHIVED CONTENT] Key stage 2 | Religious education | Subjects | Key stages 1 & 2 | National Curriculum. [online] Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100202100434/http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/subjects/religious-education/keystage2/index.aspx [Accessed 22 Apr. 2014].
Those these other Christian religions made significant progress, Catholicism still intertwined itself deeply with the educational system. Unlike other countries who have prohibited rel...
Martin Luther was a representative during the 16th century of a desire widespread of the renewal and reform of the Catholic Church. He launched the Protestant reform a continuation of the medieval religious search.
“It is science, and not religion, which has taught men that things are complex and difficult to understand”-Emile Durkheim. Understanding religion is a very difficult task, with so many views and thousands of different religions. No matter what the religion is, or where it is located they all have an importance for society. The importance religion has is establishing what is correct and what is not. Religion has been around for many years, so has the many different understanding of the purpose religion has on society. Most of all the three key factors of religion that has an impact on society are; Social support, experience, maintain social control.
The very foundation of every successful kingdom in history know today was based on its ability to establish an organized religious structure. The Roman Catholic Church was this power until a new era of intellectuals brought about the age of Enlightenment. The age of Enlightenment, started in
Martin Luther a German theologian and religious reformer was the founding figure of the protestant reformation, the break from the Catholic Church, which in many ways marks the beginning of modern Europe. A well-expressed preacher and huge writer, Luther attacked many abuses of the Catholic Church, especially the papacy. The source of his spiritual revelation was not political or institutional but came from his inner fight of conscience. Like other people of his day, Luther was horrified that god would in the end reject him for his sins. He found a word in the bible called “Law” which increased his terror, but he also discovered a word god called “Gospel,” the good news and promise of mercy in Christ, which shed all of his worries. By his words and actions, Luther caused an action that reformulated certain rudimentary Christian belief and the division of Western Church between Roman Catholics and the Protestant traditions. He is one of the most influential person in the history of Christianity.
It was necessary for the Church to play a role in this education of the people,
You can not put a value on a Christian education because it creates a setting of respect for God, His Word and His authority. It gives students a foundation of discipline, morality and a proper work ethic that can also be applied in other areas of life. Christians were actually the first to advocate universal education. The term university confirms this as it breaks down to “uni veritas” which literally means “one truth”. It was Christians in Europe who launched the first universities in France and the United Kingdom. It is ironic that so many scholars today are so hostile towards Christianity. Perhaps they do not know about the Christian roots of universal education for all classes and both genders or about the contribution of Christianity toward worldwide literacy, and higher education.
The methods and approaches to teaching values in the United States have varied over the last couple centuries. When early settlers arrived in America, village schools were established and religion, especially Christianity, was incorporated into the lessons.