The United States is an incredibly diverse melting pot of different people from all different backgrounds. Across this country nearly every world religion is practiced by some denomination of people and because education and schools are one of the largest institutions in this country, the two often overlap. In this country’s history there have been numerous disputes about how religion should be handled in public schools across the country as it is built into the very fabric of our constitution. Teaching religion or teaching about religion in school has historically been a controversial topic for decades. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting …show more content…
The influences of all the different world religions on our society are apparent and should be taught in schools so that students have a better understanding about them and their impact, but schools and teachers alike must be careful to teach about world religions rather than teach students a religion. Religion should be taught in public schools for the sake of academic curriculum for students to better understand the world and American society, not on the basis of religious faith. The ACLU published a statement on current laws regarding religion in public schools in the United States which are important to know because many religious issues that arise in public school settings are covered under these laws and provide guidance into navigating how teachers and administrators in schools should conduct themselves in these situations. One such law states that teachers and administrators, such as a principal, may not urge or solicit students’ religious activities, whatever that may be. This is because of the separation of church and state in this country and because teachers and other faculty are representing the state when in their professional setting they …show more content…
Creationism is the belief that God created every living creature as it is today in the six days that he created Earth. Creationism entirely rejects the notion that humans evolved from apes or that other animals such as birds evolved from dinosaurs. Creationists believe that humans have been on this planet from its very inception and have lived through the age of dinosaurs and thereafter as told by the story of Adam and Eve. This is problematic because evolution is part of the curriculum of basic biology classes in public schools across the United States and often creationist Christians will refute or deny entirely the concept of evolution. Vanessa Wamsley wrote about her experience as a “creationist kid” when she was in school in an article titled “Were You There?” on the website Slate. She recounted when she was in her tenth-grade biology class and her teacher began their lesson on evolution to which Wamsley questioned, “How do you know evolution really happened? Were you there?” These questions are asked by students in schools across the country because their beliefs are in direct objection to the science behind evolution. What is problematic is that some teachers will entirely skip over the curriculum for evolution so they do not offend anyone or some
In the United States, the average child goes through public funded schools that have a basic curriculum. According to the Texas Education Agency, some of the subjects include science, mathematics, social studies, English, and more. Nowhere in the subject is religion included. The basic curriculum is made in order to give students skills, knowledge, and to help develop the minds of the future. In science class, evolution is taught either briefly or detailed. It is taught because it is a popular theory that did not seem to choose a certain religion. So why believe that religion and science can be taught together? The evolution of Earth and the universe can be believed in any way an individual chooses.
The intercom comes on in a classroom first thing in morning and says “now kids, it is time for our prayer”. Every kid in the class joins hands and starts to respectfully pray. Once the prayer is finished, they all go back to work and are more unified together, right? That is usually not the case. More likely than not, only several kids in the class joins the prayer. Most kids then laugh at the others praying, breaking the bonds between the two. With religion being brought up in school, there are more possibilities for debate between children ending in violence. Three fourths of kids at my high school will not even recite the pledge of allegiance just because it says god in it. Public schools should not have any impact on religion. Christian Groups are sneaking religion into high schools.
Until the early 1960s, religion was accepted in most public school systems across our nation. One of the main purposes for school in early America was for religious purposes (Prothero). Benjamin Franklin stated, "It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand." Thomas Jefferson stated, "The question isn't what religion is true. The question is what religious traditions do we need to know something about in order to be an effective citizen." Something that can be beneficial to our nation should not be taken away. Even though religion offends some people, it should be allowed in public schools because of its influence on America and western civilizations, and its ability to help form closer relationships.
Fraser, James W. Between Church and State: Religion and Public Education in a Multicultural America. New York: St. Martin’s Press, c1999.
In her article “Beyond the Wall of Separation: Church-State in Public Schools”, Martha McCarthy, a Chancellor Professor and chair of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, makes it clear that her aim is to inform educators of the legal history and constitutional precedents of the Establishment clause and Free speech Clause of the First Amendment with an attached understanding of how educators should implement these findings. She summarizes and analyzes key Supreme Court rulings over the course of the 20th century as they pertain to religious expression in public schools. She clarifies the usage of both the Establishment Clause and the Free Speech Clause, including recent changes in trends that have been noted in the Supreme Court during the last decade. From the late 1940’s to the 1990’s most Supreme court rulings focused on the Establishment Clause to the increasing exclusion of the Free Speech Clause such that students were increasingly limited in the ways they were allowed to express themselves in school even in a private manner. In recent years, however, it has been noted that forcing students to suppress their religious expression is itself a religious statement and one that denies the role of religion in people’s lives. McCarthy notes that the public schools must take a neutral stand in relation to religion such that they do not defend or deny its role in people’s lives, either directly or indirectly.
Freedom of religion is a right that is granted to all citizens under the First Amendment of United States Constitution (U.S. Const. amend I). This gives individuals the freedom to express their religious views however they may please. Controversy arises when the topic of religion is brought up in schools. A great example scenario is when a student submits an assignment representing Jesus Christ when asked to come up with a paper and drawing of their hero. It is important to understand what rights students have when it comes to incorporating religion in their schoolwork. This paper will examine the legal issues regarding the grading and display of the assignment containing religious expression that is submitted by a student and how the First Amendment applies to classroom assignments in schools.
Throughout history, religion has impacted the lives of millions whether at school, work, with friends, or by some tragedy. Religion can change the way people view their existence. Religion also plays a big role in the infiltration of values into the loves of many young people today. In a recent pole printed in the USA Weekend Paper, “34% of respondents [said] Religion plays a powerful role in their everyday lives.” These student respondents “cited religion as the second-strongest influence in their lives outranked only by parents.” Religion also surpassed the world-renounced media as an influence in their lives (Lerman. 1).
"God help, I'm so lost!" If you listen carefully, this is a common thought that is heard throughout many schools in the nation. Is this thought appropriate? The following statement clearly shows that the law allows students and adults to practice religion, but at the same time be respective of others and their beliefs even if they do believe or if they don't. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (First Amendment, The Constitution of the United States). Prayer is not normally permitted as a scheduled part of classroom activities, because it would result in the violation of the principle of church-state separation, which has been defined by court interpretations of the 1st Amendment to the U.S, Constitution. The separation principle is extended to Public school as an arm of the government, with an exception which can be permitted if, during the school year, a mixture of prayers, statements, etc are delivered, using material derived from a number of different religions and secular sources. So far, this has never been tried in a school or ruled upon by a court (Religion in Public).
In the Constitution, it says that Congress will not make a law respecting an establishment of religion or one that restricts the free exercise of it. If Congress cannot uphold or restrict religion, should our schools be able to? Schools allow too much religious freedom for their students and restrict nonreligious students by allowing religious students several exceptions to various rules. These exceptions can infuriate parents and students alike. Expressing religion in schools is unnecessary and can cause tension; therefore, it should not be permitted in public schools.
“If we ever forget that we are “One nation under God,” then we will be a nation gone under” -- Ronald Reagan (BrainyQuote). Ronald Reagan makes a great point. America was created as a place for religious freedom. Now that freedom is beginning to be stripped away from us. One of the biggest reasons is due to the argument concerning whether or not religion should be allowed in school. It is believed, by many, that allowing education and religion to coincide is going against the first amendment. This argument is one that dates back to the eighteen hundreds, and has yet to be resolved. It is an American citizen’s right to freely express and learn about religion wherever they please, including the public school system.
School prayer is a very controversial issue in today’s society. This issue has been a problem since America was first founded, in that the country was founded on religious beliefs. The Pilgrims wanted to be able to express their beliefs freely, but in England this freedom was not found, so they decided to come to the Americas, where their beliefs could be expressed freely. As time passed they realized that having this kind of freedom caused problems between different belief systems. Many people started questioning the founding of their nation and what the foundation was made of. This questioning is still going on today and people are torn between letting prayer in to the public school system or keeping it out.
While students are attending public schools they should be aware of their religion options. The student should have the right to practice their religion as they please, just on the own time. Yes, religion plays a huge part in molding a person but, should be practiced when the time is available, not in a classroom setting. The government should have the ability to control the protection of the students that just want to learn. The capability to regulate the religious practices while attending public educational institutions should be left to the government. Faith, religion and belief, usually are three words that are used to describe one situation, although these words have three different meanings. To have faith in something or someone you must first believe in it and also accept it as well, but have a belief without evidence. Religion is a belief in a heavenly superhuman power or principle, such as the almighty or creator to all things. Everyone has faith and belief, but not all believers believe in the almighty. Allowing religion into public schools while everyone attending not having the same belief is unfair, unconstitutional and is complicated to teach to a verity of students.
Prayer in school A person should not be punished or judged for praying on school grounds or in school activities: furthermore, a person should not be punished for not engaging in the religious activities. Across the U.S., many people are punished for practicing their faith. To add on, many situations occur when a person is punished for not believing in what is being practiced and not wanting to engage in the activity.
George H.W Bush once said, “Something is wrong when kids can get birth control in school but can’t say a prayer in school”. Today it is one of the most controversial issues in United States of America that to whether or not prayers should be allowed in public schools. In many schools across the country, the prayers are already banned and students are not given a freedom of saying prayers during school time. The United States has moral down since prayers are banned in public schools. Prayers in school should be allowed to help train all the youngsters to follow the path of righteous living.
Imagine what the world would be like if all schools taught religion. I think that the world would be a better place, especially if all students believed in what they were learning about. However, what if schools were forced to teach children about all religions equally? I think that it would cause a lot more confusion. People wouldn’t know which of the religions to believe in. Dan Dennette is an America philosopher, an evolutionist, and is also known as one of the “Four Horsemen of New Atheism.” Dan Dennette has been in several broadcasted debates, has received several awards for his research and understandings, and has been made more famous through his Ted Talk, called “Let’s teach religion- all religion- in schools.” In his Ted Talk he tries