Religious Beliefs And Its Effects On Children

Is it ok for students to express religious beliefs in class discussions, or through assignments? If you were Brittany Settle you would probably answer “No”. Settle v. Dickson County School Board, 53 F. 3d 152 (6th Cir. 1995), Brittany’s assignment was a research paper and her topic was drama approved by her teacher, which she later changed, without approval, to “The Life of Jesus”. The teacher refused her paper and Brittany received a zero. The teacher gave six reasons why she refused Brittany’s paper. Court ruled that Brittany’s free speech was not violated, by having to abide by a teacher's curriculum, and the teacher has control over the curriculum and classroom.

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

One of the most discussed topics in the modern world is children indoctrination into religion. Children aren't developed enough to decide in what to believe or disbelieve. Everyone is born without believing in a religion until it is either forced on them or they are developed enough to decide if one of the religions ''works'' for them or not. Mostly, parents are the most influential part in a child life. They decide what a proper education is to their successor and they impose their ideas to their child.

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,

In the evolving age of science and technology the solid and proveable world is beginning to put our faith in higher beings and powers.For example, biopsychologist Dr. Nigel Barber predicts religion could die out by 2041 due to being replaced with materialistic items. A country’s GDP, local prices and human development index have caused Dr. Barber to come to the conclusion that the average country will be secular in 2041. In Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke, preachings and prophecies are dissolving as a god complex for a superior race and their devices grows. In the future, it is possible that religion will be replaced with machines and artificial intelligence

America is a very unique country. Considering America's diversity and constitutional beginings, religion has always been a red hot topic for debate; especially when it comes to its inclusion in our public school system. The first ammendment says this: "Congres shall not pass no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof". It is these words that caused religion in public schools to spiral into one of the most contested issues in America today. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has also created a divide among Americans on this issue. SCOTUS has protected the student's rights to pray, read from the Bible, wear religious headresses, express their religious view etc, but at the same

On the other hand, in the American culture both males and females can attend school to get an education and earn a degree. The American culture does not teach about religion in their schools unless is a private and/or religious institution. In public schools the classroom are integrated males and females, there is no segregation based on gender, and they all learn the same educational subjects. The students have a choice to further their education if they desire after they have completed high school. Attending public school is free and mandatory for children ages 6 to 18 years old. Both genders have the same opportunities to learn and once they reached the 18 years of age, both males and females can marry if they desire.

Religion is a part of culture, politics, economics, and modern relationships on every level, whether you attend church regularly , or whether you are a casual bystander, you simply cannot escape religion. Knowing this, our founding fathers had to make a decision on how to avoid making the same mistakes as great Britain by intertwining religion with its government. Thomas Jefferson came up with the policy of separation of church and state, which became part of the first amendment to the US constitution. It read “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..” (Jefferson). 220 years later, the issue is still controversial, especially in the aspect of conducting religious activities in public schools.

Throughout the history of the United States, the issue of religion has often been at the forefront of American politics and the American legal system. The topic of religion in public schools arises quite often due to the religious diversity that exist in the United States and sometimes it is due to citizens not understanding the law. The issue of what to do during an assignment that asks students to write about their hero and draw a picture that represents them and a student discusses and displays a religious figure, is protected under free speech and I will prove this.

I believe that having a spiritual life is beneficial to growth and development over the lifespan. In fact, there are a lot of people that believe in a higher power and that this higher power has influence in their lives. Belief in a higher power/God provides comfort and support in times of need. Melinda Wenner, 2008 who wrote “Religion is good for kids,” states that kids who have religious parents are better behaved and control themselves much better than other kids. Wenner also sites a study that looks at how religion affects a child’s development. The study, she speaks of, was done by John Bartkowski, a sociologist and his fellow coworkers. The researchers used evidence obtained by over 16,000 first grade students and their parents. The research found that children who went to church and had parents that spoke with them about religion had better self-control and better social skills than those kids who did not have a spiritual parent (s), (Wenner, 2008). In addition, Bartkowski thinks that religion is good for children because it creates networks and support and can also help parents reinforce spirituality to their children. He also said that the values that children get from religious worshipers are pro-family and can help shape how children develop. I agree with the sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox who Melinda Wenner, 2008 quoted as saying that parents are more interested in their children going to heaven than going to college.

The Victorian government (Australia) announced on Friday it will be getting rid of ‘Religious instructions’ in its public schools and replacing them with courses that educate students on ‘building respectful relationships.’

Growing up religion has always been an important part of my life. I would attend Sunday services, help to lead the praise and worship, take part in youth Sunday, and attended weekly youth meetings. After migrating from Jamaica, it became very difficult to find a church that’s a good fit for. However, I still try to attend religious services at least twice a month, and if I can’t attend church services I watch the services online.

Feldman begins his article by giving multiple examples of instances where religious affiliation in schools has caused public outrage, claiming that the criticism of these actions comes from interpretations of the separation of church and state clause in the United States Constitution. He then claims that the majority of schools get away with various religious arrangements, saying, “the largest accommodations of religion are those that Americans rarely notice, precisely because the accommodations serve both religious and secular ends” (Feldman). Feldman then tells about a school in Wiscasset, Maine, that has added a ‘wellness room’ to their school building to allow students to relax in their free time, also allowing religious prayer as long

Religion can be a wonderful thing; a fixation for some, a truth for others. Unfortunately, for me, it was neither. Growing up in church was convivial, but looking back now, it’s nothing short of terrifying. Children have such malleable minds, and their introduction to organized religion is one thing for certain: brainwashing. I don’t resent my parents for introducing me to religion, I resent them for the effects these uniform teachings have had on me.

I am very grateful to God for providing the Interpreting Scripture Course with Dr. Norris. I serve our Lord as Director of Ministry to Women and Children at Trinity Church alongside a team of pastors reporting to the Senior Pastor. I have served in full-time in ministry for nine years, with the first five years in another area church. Prior to full-time ministry, I held a 21-year long business career as a top executive and served the Lord in church lay leadership. I consider God’s call on my life to use the experience He developed in me during the business years to now use it to edify His church in growing believers while reaching out to the community in need of a Savior.