IELTS Daily Essay Topic: Many think that religion should be taught in schools, while others think it should be avoided.

Q. Many think that religion should be taught in schools, while others think it should be avoided. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Ans. The discussion about whether religion should be taught in schools or not is a controversial one. Whilst many argue its inclusion is detrimental, I feel that it has potential advantages and careful consideration is needed in this matter.

On the one hand, supporters of teaching religion in schools suggest that it fosters understanding and tolerance among students. They believe that studying various religions gives the students a wider outlook on the world that we are living in and respect for other people’s belief systems. This awareness can be used to counter prejudice and bigotry. It promotes a more tolerant society. Moreover, religion can be a source of historical background to many events in the world; making the study of history and current affairs much clearer for the students.

Contrastingly, critics of the statement claim that teaching various religions in schools leads to blurring the line between education and indoctrination. They argue that it is not the business of schools to teach religion, but only to give secular schooling. In addition, there is the issue of bias, since ensuring that each religion is represented and portrayed in the curriculum equally and fairly could be quite difficult.

After weighing up both sides, the argument in favor of teaching religion in schools seems more convincing. It is a very powerful means of promoting cultural understanding and respect. Learning about various religious traditions can contribute to the moral development of students, helping them develop a strong sense of values and ethical decision-making skills. This can contribute to improved dialogue, empathy, and conflict-resolution abilities.  However, this education must be balanced and all-inclusive, covering different religions and beliefs. This, in turn, will encourage them to explore their spirituality and form educated opinions about religious and philosophical matters.

To conclude, while certain objections may arise regarding the inclusion of religious education in schools, I believe that its potential positive outcomes outweigh the negative aspects. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful in teaching this subject to ensure that it is handled neutrally and fairly. This is not a straightforward proposition and constant communication and contemplation are required to manage it well.

Analysis

Paraphrased Statement: The discussion about whether religion should be taught in schools or not is a controversial one. 

Thesis Statement:  Whilst many argue its inclusion is detrimental, I feel that it has potential advantages and careful consideration is needed in this matter.

Body Paragraph 1-Topic Sentences: On the one hand, supporters of teaching religion in schools suggest that it fosters understanding and tolerance among students. They believe that studying various religions gives the students a wider outlook on the world that we are living in and respect for other people’s belief systems. 

Body Paragraph 1- Supporting Reasons and Explanations:  This awareness can be used to counter prejudice and bigotry. It promotes a more tolerant society. Moreover, religion can be a source of historical background to many events in the world; making the study of history and current affairs much clearer for the students.

Body Paragraph 2- Topic sentence: Contrastingly, critics of the statement claim that teaching various religions in schools leads to blurring the line between education and indoctrination.

Body Paragraph 2- Supporting Reasons and Explanations: They argue that it is not the business of schools to teach religion, but only to give secular schooling. In addition, there is the issue of bias, since ensuring that each religion is represented and portrayed in the curriculum equally and fairly could be quite difficult.

Body Paragraph 3- Topic sentence: After weighing up both sides, the argument in favor of teaching religion in schools seems more convincing. It is a very powerful means of promoting cultural understanding and respect. Learning about various religious traditions can contribute to the moral development of students, helping them develop a strong sense of values and ethical decision-making skills. 

Body Paragraph 3- Supporting Reasons and Explanations: This can contribute to improved dialogue, empathy, and conflict-resolution abilities.  However, this education must be balanced and all-inclusive, covering different religions and beliefs. This, in turn, will encourage them to explore their spirituality and form educated opinions about religious and philosophical matters.

Conclusion: To conclude, while certain objections may arise regarding the inclusion of religious education in schools, I believe that its potential positive outcomes outweigh the negative aspects. Nevertheless, one needs to be careful in teaching this subject to ensure that it is handled neutrally and fairly. This is not a straightforward proposition and constant communication and contemplation are required to manage it well.

Vocabulary in Use

Word	Meanings
Detrimental	Causes harm or damage.
Consideration	The act of thinking about something carefully or a particular fact when deciding something.
Prejudice and bigotry	Prejudice is a preconceived opinion not based on reason or experience, while bigotry is intolerance towards differing beliefs.
Bias	Supporting or opposing a person or thing unfairly, or a preference for a subject or thing.
Outweigh	To be greater or more important than something else.
Proposition	An offer or suggestion, an idea or opinion, or a statement or problem to be solved or proved.

Linkers and Connectors Used

Following are the Linkers and Connectors:

1. The discussion about whether
2. Whilst many argue
3. On the one hand
4. They believe that
5. Moreover
6. Contrastingly
7. They argue that
8. In addition
9. After weighing up both sides
10. However
11. This, in turn
12. To conclude
13. Nevertheless

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