HARVARD WANTS RELIGION, U.S. HISTORY AND ETHICS AMONG REQUIRED COURSES

Justin Pope, AP education writer, informs us a Harvard University faculty committee recommends the requirement of Religion, U.S. History and Ethics courses for all undergraduates. They base their proposal on the idea the real world is different from the world of academia. Once graduates leave the university, the likelihood is they will come across issues that call for knowledge in these areas.

I applaud this Harvard faculty committee for their decision to recommend these courses. If not required, U.S. History should be an elective for those Americans that did not learn it in High School. U.S. History would also help foreign students understand our government, our laws, and our culture better. Therefore, U.S. History is a good addition to the list of undergraduate required courses.

The requirement of an Ethics course is desirable for various reasons. Regardless of what profession one chooses, the ethical execution of duties separates those who are true assets of a society from those who are selfish parasites. Perhaps learning ethical principles will move students to act accordingly when they join the workforce. The media continually bombards the public with news about corruption or conflicts of interest in government as well as in private industry. It is huge, the economic burden this places on taxpayers. Moreover, every time someone betrays the public’s trust, there is an accompanying erosion of confidence. For our nation, our culture, and our way of life to survive, a necessary set of ethical and moral standards must serve as our foundation.

Judging from the “I am OK, you are OK” type of mentality prevalent in many circles, the American public does not seem to favor any particular set of ethical and moral stamdards. Religion teaches that, but each religion in its own way, since religions are many. The separation of Church and State prohibits the instruction of any particular religion in public schools. However, it should not be a violation for public schools to teach courses in ethics, philosophy, or comparative religion. The way things are now, we have become too secular. We have not come up with alternative ways to teach our children freedom comes with responsibilities. Learning responsibility includes wanting to live by a set of moral and ethical standards that is conducive to good citizenship in addition to self-realization.

The inclusion of Religion courses in the required curricula at Harvard University is a very good idea. Besides the abovementioned, there are other reasons. What should be the proper roles of reason and faith in the values and beliefs of individuals? Supposedly, religion is a matter of faith. Yet, many religions proclaim their dogmas as knowledge. Muslims, Christians and Jews claim to have the Word of God. No credible evidence is at hand. Instead of fighting each other and asserting supremacy, religions should evolve and become proligious*.

We should also try to find a middle ground where atheists, agnostics and religious people can coexist peacefully and fruitfully. In the question of God’s existence, should science have the last word, or can philosophy rescue God from oblivion? I believe they have acted prematurely, those who unequivocally state God is dead. To know why I say that, you would have to read my book Ercian Testament, especially Parts 2 and 3.

In summary, there is much students can learn from U.S. History, Ethics and Religion courses. Opportunities for healthy and rewarding exchanges of opinion should be plenty, particularly in Ethics and Religion. Go for it Harvard. I hope other Universities, Colleges, and High Schools follow your lead.

*Recommended Reading: Ercian Testament - Part One, chapter 4 “Proligion.”