Great discussions here! D.E.'s poll and your comments have really added so much light on this subject of religion in schools or at home!

Educators can do a lot to explain the general principals of different religions without showing bias to any one religion in particular - Dedicated and skilled teachers I feel would be critical to making sure it is presented in an academic manner ~

As for home schooling ...there are many cultures and families that have made their religion part of their way of life ~ Those growing up in such an environment cannot help but be exposed to the particular religion that their family has already embraced ~

But I think of my own background when I was a child - For one whole year my dad helped a young Methodist minister without a church..and let him conduct his Sunday church services in our flower packing house which was located right behind our home ~ Our family had no choice but to attend these services because they where at our home! But me and my dad never became members of the Methodist religion .. It was more of a sense of helping someone in need rather than a religious point of view that my dad let the young minister use our packing house for free ~ That was a great feeling and reward to my dad ~

So despite what one learns from the family or culture you are born into ...I feel schools can play a role by offering comparative religion classes to their students ...and I also feel it is up to each person's individual will to seek and educate themselves to all the different religions and points of view in the world as we mature - and from there find our own spiritual path ~

You are so right when you said" . I believe that teaching comparative religion is very important as a part of the education process. It must be done in a very academic manner and must include a thorough investigation and exploration of all possible belief systems."
Now when I was a student in Catholic School many years ago things were quite different. Religion was an everyday part of the curriculum. It also involved prayers several times a day, praying the roasary, and bible studies among other things. It was mandatory to attend a childrens mass on Sunday. And you had better been accounted for having attended. So we had no choice or opportuity to explore compartive religions. Tlhe Catholic Religion was the end all and be all, and very fear based also. Not such a great thing for young impressionable minds. It was during High School that I started doing my own investigating into other belief systems. And it was after High School that I just totally dropped religion, period! To this day I do not follow any belief system other than the one I adopted for myself, and my truths. It has served me well.
Maybe given such an opportunity to explore comparative religion, I would have had a more positive influence on my total outlook. Or maybe it still would have still led me down my own path. No matter, at least I would have had the choice.
So much for my two cents worth.
Namaste
Lightdancer

This IS a tricky subject. But one that should include ones "whole" way of life, as religion has nothing to do with academic training, nor does academic training have anything to do with your religion. Religion is based on "how" you live what you believe. Your religion should be taught as a way of life ,not intellectual precepts. Religion is worthless, if you do not live what you believe. Having a relationship with your creator would, encompass your whole life, and include how you were actually educated. Just as the bible is worthless apart from hearts actually turned to their creator in sincerity.The bible is a guide to those who are living out the actual commandments and precepts set forth. This encompasses your " whole" life and cannot be seperated from your "education", or the rest of your life. Any form of religious training becomes dangerous when merely being taught in an intellectual way.In my opinion, teaching religion from an "academic" point of view, even if it is circumspect in nature, would be completely counter productive. Teaching children about God can only be something passed on from the heart of one who knows him, How would you ever have confidence that ,that one teacher even believes in God himself? Therefore what would he/she actually give to your child? Would it be what you approve of ? Even if the actual ciriculum wre reviewed by a "staff" that has credibility, This is such a controversal subject that you cannot regulate peoples own opinions and slants as to what they believe and they are bound to throw in thier own opinion on matters. This will have whatever effect on your young impressionable childs mind the rest of their life, as they are just beginning to form their own opinions.What my child believes about God matters to me, and I want them to learn from those I know have the right Spirit working in them.