Why should Humanism be taught in schools?

Because it is unacceptable that belief in the supernatural and religions, should be taught (endorsed) in schools without it being balanced with the equal teaching (or endorsement )of the views and values of secular humanism.

The POSITIVE VALUES OF SECULAR HUMANISM (Atheism, secularism and humanism)

We value rationalism, scepticism and use of the critical faculty  (we are against superstition – belief in the supernatural and sectarianism)

We value the scientific method and evidence-based thinking and decision making;  

We value honesty and objectivity;    

We value autonomy, responsibility and the freedom and equality for men, women and children, within the framework of, and consistent with the needs of the individual and society - 'the public good'.

These are the values, and they apply to every area of human life. They are not specifically or uniquely humanist. People many strive to measure up to these standards with a greater or lesser degree of success.

But there are many areas in which religious belief and practice distorts these values - creating and maintaining bias, prejudice and discrimination that due to history and their dominant position they have made ‘traditional’.

These are  the policy areas - where these values are not applied e.g.:

Education - its institutions and curriculum  - Sectarian Schools, partisan teaching of religion, and the teaching of opinion as fact etc.

In the field of health welfare & bio ethics - Abortion and Contraception, Assisted Dying, Human Fertility and Embryo Research Pressure to prevent Condom Use in HIV/AIDS control programmes, 'faith base' public services.

The environment and ecology

World health and population - Religious pressure to prevent UN Population programmes that give abortion and birth control advice.

Crime and punishment Prison regimes that give privileges to those who join up to faith based rehabilitation, drugs and alcohol programmes.  Religious oath taking in courts of law.

National and international politics e.g. special status of the Vatican in the UN

Demand for 'special consultation status' for religions in government EU

The communications industry and the media - print and publishing

The blatant bias of BBC radio in refusing to fairly represent atheist and secular humanist opinion, compared with amount of religious programming. Lack of access to the mass media.

Government and administration

Religious privilege - e.g. automatic tax exemption for church halls but not village halls. Refusal to extend equal  rights to secular users of church owned premises even though they are effectively subsidised from general taxation.

Aristotle said that there is no point in studying ethics unless it would have some beneficial effect on the way one lived ones life  -   ['Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy Online Version 2.0]

These are the areas of  practical  applied secular humanism