Precisely. I completely agree. I was told not to kill, steal, or lie, but there seemed to be no way of discussing the reasons for not doing these things that didn't bring in religion and dogma.

I think teachers are afraid of imposing their own beliefs and opinions, and some parents feel they have to express the ultimately correct, or "perfect," set of beliefs to their children, but they don't have it yet, so they avoid these questions. We can show certain things nonverbally and in an elementary way without influencing kids' beliefs.

Thanks for checking out the suggestions. There's some good writing under the education and parenting tags that is being ignored.