". I think thus, for example, astronomy must be a mandatory topic for the younger students as soon as possible, so that they are not raised with the outdated idea that something "up there" governs their life."
First of all, studying astronomy doesn't at all neglect religious beliefs in general (only some of the more simple believe systems who take their bible literally).
And secondly, making it mandatory never helps for raising enthusiasm.
I really, really wanted to have astronomy in class, when I was in 3. grade. But it only came in 10. and by then I was so bored, like everyone else, for me because it was trivial and for the others, because they didn't care.
And besides, I can't imagine raising enthusiasm for astronomy in a class room - you need a telescope and a clear night first!
I was lucky enough to spend three years of my elementary education in a private school with an observatory, but I was intrigued in the very first years of my education. It was awe-inspiring to see an illustrated but serious account of how universe was an infinitely large and infinitely complex mechanism. I was eventually bored, but what was important was that a core understanding that deep down everything is matter and energy stuck. When, some ten years later, I was intrigued in philosophy, and revisiting things like astronomy and physics, I was no alien to those topics, and I could accept the reality more easily over superstition and misinformation.
Astronomy has deeper impact on religious belief than the discovery of the absence of a material throne of a sacred being in the heavens. It can easily lead one to discover that superstition and metaphysical phaenomena have no logical base when he accepts the objectivity of today's scientific knowledge. Furthermore, the history of astronomy is a novel example of how science and philosophy overcome dogma despite violent oppression (e.g. Galileo), which is an eye-opener when confronting dogma.
I was only on a badly organized public school, where most teachers suffered from the trauma of suddenly having to teach the capitalistic way instead of socialism.
But I had supportive parents, so I had access to a (small) telescope ..
And yes, science helped me, too, to overcome the dark Catholic dogmas.
Putting logic and reason to the world ...
But ... that logic and my believe in the science model of the universe doesn't contradict my spiritual believes. So basically, science is true, but so far it can only show us and explain parts of the universe.
But that there is apparently more to it, other forces which actually do interfere with our lives, I believe simply from my experience. And if you (and others) did not experience anything out of the ordinary ... well, there are two possible explanations, first, those forces don't care for you(strongly), or second, your mind tries hard not to notice them, as it would be inconvenient to do so ... since the ordinary world is already complicated enough without demons and spirits ...
Just a alternative hypothesis, I don't want to convince you of something, just pointing out, that science doesn't disprove religion/spiritually and it both can go along in general.
First of all, studying astronomy doesn't at all neglect religious beliefs in general (only some of the more simple believe systems who take their bible literally).
And secondly, making it mandatory never helps for raising enthusiasm.
I really, really wanted to have astronomy in class, when I was in 3. grade. But it only came in 10. and by then I was so bored, like everyone else, for me because it was trivial and for the others, because they didn't care.
And besides, I can't imagine raising enthusiasm for astronomy in a class room - you need a telescope and a clear night first!
Theory comes later.