I studied to become a teacher, by the way, in case anyone was wondering where I'm coming from. I've never taught professionally, but I do remember common school ethics, at least in Denmark.

By the way, there is a professional way to be a religious teacher. If a kid asks you what you believe, you can tell them. If you are allowed (by school and law) to wear religious symbols, you can. If you are teaching a course on religion, you even ought to tell the students your bias, just like you ought to tell them your bias if you're teaching them about politics. If an Evangelical Christian is going to teach about Islam, or a Conservative is going to teach about Communism (and vice versa), the personal bias of the teacher is a vital piece of information for the kids.

You just can't tell the kids, or insinuate to them, what they ought to believe about either politics or religion. Regardless of it's morality or legality, it's unethical as long as the children/young adults concerned go to your school.

by Sorenzo on 09/09/2009 01:08:04 AM EST

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