Most states do require some comparative religion in high school history. I’ve taught it.

Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Abrahamic faiths were in the curriculum. What was really fascinating was having a high schooler that had no idea what Christianity was. I live in the Bible Belt!

But yeah, understanding things like the Five Pillars of Islam humanizes Muslims. Understanding why a classmate isn’t eating all day, knowing that Muslims are required to donate some to charity if they can…

I think even some of the quasi Christian groups should be covered, but that’s a lot dicier. I don’t know if JW kids’ parents would want them to learn about the Great Disappointment, or Mormon families would approve of discussing Jo Smith’s child brides… (much less that official Mormon theology was that Native Americans would turn white if converted, or the best outcome for black folks was being a servant in the afterlife)