Hawg Haggen, contrary to popular belief, many of our founders were more or less agnostic or atheists. Proof?
"During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution." James Madison
"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." John Adams
"As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?" John Adams
"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." Benjamin Franklin
"Lighthouses are more helpful than churches." Benjamin Franklin
"I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life, I absenteed myself from Christian assemblies." Benjamin Franklin
"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as His father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter." Thomas Jefferson
I trust I make my point, that this country wasn't founded upon Christianity. That isn't to say that I have anything against Christians, as much of my biological family is Christian, and my grandparents are devout Christians who would give the shirts off their backs to somebody in need. It's just that the political agenda of the religious right goes against the first amendment and freedom for all people, and I don't like these right wingers going around judging people on whatever basis they can find.
Now, as for the world religions course, it would be very helpful. I am not for teaching religion in school as scientific fact or whatever, but the schools have a curriculum seriously lacking in the world cultures department. One important aspect of culture is religion, and with Islams numbering over one billion, and being the primary religion of several strategically important nations in the Middle East, I think a basic understanding of that is absolutely necessary. Christianity is very important, as it is the belief system of the majority in the United States, and there are also over one billion Christians worldwide (though other than the United States, this religion may not have the strategic importance of Islam). Judaism has fallen out of favor somewhat, but it is the cornerstone of both Christianity and Islam, and the slaughter of Jews during WWII led to the founding of a nation-state in the Middle East that has created quite a stir. These are the three religions worldwide that by far have the greatest influence on international politics, and it is very important that any education includes a basic understanding of all three in order to understand the world around them.