Everyone has some sort of religious belief, whether they are atheist, christian, muslin, Jewish, occult, or any other religion. There is some belief system for everything any one person does.
Yet in our classrooms we are supposed to keep our religious beliefs out of our teaching. We are taught to teach with a democratic approach.
On page 28 of this Kappan Magazine there is an article titled "When Missions Collide: Theological certainty and democratic education" I have an
Introduction to Exceptional Learners course this semester and we read this article at the end of class.
I have always known that I want to try to integrate my religion into my teaching style, because I feel that my students will be able to learn from it. Though I have never wanted to dictate my students response to my feelings. I want them to take what I teach them, decide what will work for them, and then use it in their lives to make their own decisions.
In the beginning of the mentioned article Jackie wouldn't participate in a discussion because it challenged her belief. Ms Jennifer Hauver James commented "I was, however, disappointed. I saw her withdrawal as a missed opportunity for Jackie to share her opinion with others, to experience democratic dialogue, and to develop respect and tolerance for diverse points of view."
There are 3 examples of students in this article who voice their opinions, but are not willing to see them challenged or to defend them against those challenges.
I have a friend who frequently challenges what I think I know to be true. But his simple comments spark my brain into action and require me to think of things I had not thought of before that can either change or set my belief deeper into my soul.
Ms James brings up the questions "What might we learn from exploring different understandings of an individual's responsibility and freedom to act in the world? How might history help shed light on the issue? how might exploring these different perspectives deepen our own?"
When we allow others to scrutinize the details of our belief and help us to broad our horizons and see more of the big picture, either our belief will be uprooted and we will know that it was a fragile one to begin with; or that belief will be pounded into our foundation even more than it already was.
Why should their be fear from speculation when it will help you in every way? To get rid of improper beliefs or to strengthen them.
So how can we keep our beliefs, strengthen them or toss them away, but also teach our students to gain opinions and testimonies of things they know to be true? How can we teach our students to question things until they find the truth, to talk things over and to help others figure things out?
We model for them.
Just like the fashion models of Paris, we must put on a new set of clothing and show our students how to really wear it.
Put on the t-shirt of democracy and show your students how to respect others opinions, defend your own and come to the knowledge that though "I dissaprove of what you say, [I] will defend to the death your right to say it."
