Christianity In American Education In The 1920's

Through the 1920s, conflicts regarding the teachings of religious values versus Evolution, along with the increasing fight for women’s independence, caused a great deal of tension within America. Prior to the ‘20s schools taught the Bible and Christianity’s principles were stressed. It was in 1925 when Clarence Darrow defended John Scopes, a biology teacher, who was put on trial in the court for teaching the theory of Evolution (Doc C). This document illustrates the dialogue of

One of the most highly debated aspects of American life and liberty is religion. America’s foundation is based upon the idea that religion should be a freedom and a choice of the person involved, not a requirement by the government. Yet religion is one of the very things to United States was founded on. In the last half of the 20th century, the differing opinions Americans held on religious conviction became an ongoing debate on where and when is the right time to observe one’s faith. Most notably this debate extended to the public schools. One of the most prominent cases was that of Engel v. Vitale. The court case of Engel v. Vitale became known as the School Prayer decision and was the first of its kind in the American judicial

This article analyzes the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in order to persuade the reader that religious education should be included in school curricula. However, Chaffee argues that public schools may not hinder nor prohibit the teachings of a specific religion over others, as “Public schools uphold the First Amendment when they protect the religious liberty rights of students of all faiths or none. Schools demonstrate fairness when they ensure that the curriculum includes study about religion, where appropriate, as an important part of a complete education” (Chaffee). Chaffee then mentions Professor Charles Haynes, a First Amendment scholar, master teacher, activist and change agent, whom he has spoken to about the matter.

Since the Warren court found that Religion in public schools broke a clause in the First Amendment, the Supreme court decided that schools that are based on a religious system were to stop. Many thought that this landmark decision was going to damage their freedom of religion but it actually kept their freedom safe. This decision also “started the end of Protestant domination of Public Education” (Battle pg. 217)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was on the forefront of the challenge against the Butler Act. The ACLU is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It posted an announcement in a Tennessee newspaper saying that it would offer its services to anyone willing to challenge the anti-evolution statute. John T. Scopes accepted the offer, after townspeople like George Rappleyea argued that a trial would bring publicity to the small town of Dayton. Scopes was a 24 year old science teacher and coach of the local high school football team. He was indicted by a grand jury for violating the Butler Law on May 25, 1925 and the stage was set for Case Number 5232, Scopes v. State.

Have you ever wondered why people in the American society think any kind of demonstrated behavior is acceptable? The Christian views once instilled in United States citizens have grown sparse today, in comparison to what they once were. Opinions of many people have changed concerning multiple issues. Many founding views were centered on Godly principles as portrayed in the U.S. Constitution, and as well as the Declaration of Independence. As society continues to argue over the inclusion of religion in politics, members of society reap the effects in many areas, particularly in the education system. I strongly agree that the United States was founded as a Christian nation.

There are “more than 2,000 complaints a year by members of the public concerned about violations of the separation between church and state”, with many of the violations occurring within educational systems in the United States (Gaylor, 2014). This is an ongoing issue because many Americans honor the separation principle, while a small portion of the population does not. Religious references and moral values are an important aspect of a child’s life, but should not be taught in public schools. Annie Gaylor published a well written article called “The Dangers of Religious Instruction in Public Schools”, which describes what happens when religion is brought into the picture. In earlier times, it was proved that religion creates tension, inconsistency,

Issues involving public schools and religion have been topics involving intense debate. It is difficult for the government to elucidate the appropriate boundaries of religion in the public schools. It is true that teaching about religion is permitted in the public education systems, but the real question is where the margin should be set between teaching religion and simply teaching about religion. It is almost impossible to teach about the history of the United States without teaching that religious beliefs associated with the history, artwork, and literature. More than the public is lead to believe, The Constitution permits religious activities in and around public school buildings. It is unfortunate that the

Initially, America did not have a Christian foundation in the sense of creating a theocracy. However, it was shaped by Christian moral truths, and the forefathers created a hospitable environment that supported this religion. The relationship linking the state and religion grew strong as most of the people in the nation became Christians. This research paper outlines how Christianity came to be one of the major religions in the United States of America.

In America today we all have choices to make in regards to our religious beliefs. Many young children are brought up today confused about religion and the significance it plays in their lives. There are many sanctions and rules now on what can and can 't be thought or displayed to people on public property, but it wasn 't always like this. In this paper I will be discussing the American religious experience in regards to the impact religion has in the public schools.

John Scopes, a high school teacher in Dayton, Tennessee taught the theory of evolution in his science class, and was arrested for it. He brought in famous lawyer,Clarence Darrow, to defend him in court. The state of Tennessee brought in three time presidential candidate, William Jennings Bryan. The court battle went on for eight days, and finally the jury made a decision that John Scopes was found guilty, but then was overturned in the Supreme Court. This court case was the watershed, that led to the ban of creationism in public schools.

Two decades after Darwin's Origin of Species was published many religious leaders feared that a less-than-literal reading of the biblical story would result in a loss of faith; and well-known spokesmen for the cause-such as William Jennings Bryan- of moral decay to be evidence of the damage brought about by the teaching of the godless evolution. The issue was argued on a number of platforms, one of the most famous being the Scopes Trial (1925), in which a high school

The readings from the first class surfaced many controversial and prevalent themes. The readings called into question the role education plays in creating a Godly society, a cure for societal ills, enhancing fear, as well as the importance of religious ties. In this paper, I will react to the following themes through a lens of how these beliefs still hold true today.

The subject of religion in public schools is one that has been debated vigorously and passionately. The warriors from the Right and Left fail to appreciate the facts because they are caught up in the rhetoric and have difficulty viewing this emotional topic dispassionately (Haynes, 2011). Both sides are right about one thing: this is an important subject.

The presentation this week, “Values in Education: Where have we been and where are we going” (Teaching Christian Values, EDUC 531), has offered several salient points in support of the importance of teaching Biblical principles in class. Reflectively, the education of virtues begun as far back as 1642, in the Colony of Massachusetts, thereby leading to the Old Deluder Satan Act of 1647. The Deluder Act required towns of a specific dimension to employ educators whose sole obligation imparted knowledge to resident children in order to teach them to read. Moreover, the lack of reading knowledge supposedly contributed to youngsters falling prey to Satan. The Holy Bible out dates this first American Education Act. In fact, the fall of man in Genesis is the initial setting known to man where humans were disobedient to follow basic principles in the Garden of Eden when families were instructed to begin teaching children at home. An American Educator and moral education advocate, Horace Mann wrote that “if every child age 4 through 16 could experience the elevating influence of good schools, then the dark host of private vices and public crimes, which now embitter domestic peace then stain the civilization of the age, might be banished from the world.” (Slide 9) Subsequently, teachers hired in the 19th century were required to include moral lessons as well as Biblical virtues in