Or few should, IMO, if it's appropriate for the age group.

The problem happens when a public school teacher (or public school system) takes it upon his/herself to teach that a particular religion is correct. Public schools have no business being religious institutions.

[link|http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=LUKE+20:21-26&language=english&version=KJV&showfn=off|Luke 20:25] and all that. :-)

[link|http://www.thehindu.com/2003/10/22/stories/2003102200891000.htm|Gandhi] said:

On January 20, 1942 Gandhi remarked while discussing the Pakistan scheme: "What conflict of interest can there be between Hindus and Muslims in the matter of revenue, sanitation, police, justice, or the use of public conveniences? The difference can only be in religious usage and observance with which a secular state has no concern."

[...]

In September 1946, Gandhi told a Christian missionary: "If I were a dictator, religion and state would be separate. I swear by my religion. I will die for it. But it is my personal affair. The state has nothing to do with it. The state would look after your secular welfare, health, communications, foreign relations, currency and so on, but not your or my religion. That is everybody's personal concern!"

Gandhi's talk with Rev. Kellas of the Scottish Church College, Calcutta on August 16, 1947, the day after Independence, was reported in Harijan on August 24: "Gandhiji expressed the opinion that the state should undoubtedly be secular. It could never promote denominational education out of public funds. Everyone living in it should be entitled to profess his religion without let or hindrance, so long as the citizen obeyed the common law of the land. There should be no interference with missionary effort, but no mission could enjoy the patronage of the state as it did during the foreign regime." This understanding came subsequently to be reflected in Articles 25, 26 and 27 of the Constitution.


He was a wise old [link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=coot|coot], though he did have some, er, [link|http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040813.html|foibles].

Cheers,
Scott.