Religious Instructions In Public Schools: Article Analysis

Religion makes up a sizable part of many people’s lives, however, that does not justify or excuse schools excluding the percent of the population that does not want the belief practices of others forced upon them. If schools work religion into the schedule,

"JESUS in the classroom!" Are you feeling uncomfortable yet? Religion in the public school systems is among the top of the list of controversial topics in American society, We've long been advised to avoid this and other religiously politically intertwined subjects in polite conversation. If you're like most Americans, this topic makes you frustrated, high strung, or at least a little queasy. From the day the 1st amendment right appeared in the U.S. Constitution, to this present day, and surely into our nation's tomorrows, the proper role of religion in public schools has been, is, and will continue to be a subject of great debate. It is important for school officials, parents, and students

In non-secular states, religious liberties of citizens are restricted and curtailed in favour of the state religion adopted. In such states, the struggle for religious liberty is a constant battle

“Should we teach religion in public schools? It made me cringe. Why? The United Sates is currently in the unenviable position of being near the bottom of the list of industrialized nations when it comes to teaching religion in public schools” (Gaylor). Devotion and religious discussion are completely different from school and academic discussions. Also not to mention accidentally insulting one's religion and having it look cruel in the media. Both views about religion in public schools are completely accurate, but the most logical and ethical side of the argument is allowing schools to merge in religion with school education. The public needs to make a compromise and agree to disagree. “The rights of non-believers and minority faith observers must also be defended under the system and our constitution, if our state is to thrive in the 21st century as it did at its founding” (Middleton). Disputes over religion in public schools need to be dealt with inside households and not in confrontations at school. Leave decisions about when and how to pray at home. If a student decides to express their religion, then let them express it. Everyone needs to be respectful and careful of the way they deal with religion in public

Religious beliefs and spirituality plays a major role in the lives of many young Australians.

Do you want your children taught what they should and shouldn't believe? In the United Kingdom, state school are required by the Education System Act 1944 to teach religious education. This encompasses a variety of religions but there is undoubtedly a heavy focus on Christianity in many non-denominational schools. These schools are designed to avoid religious discrimination, and yet they stick to one religion without thinking about those who do not follow it. Pupils from a range of faiths attend these schools, as well as non-religious students, and they should not have to put up with preachings that they do not believe in. They feel excluded from any religion-based activity they are made to take part in. Many non-denominational schools have

Based on the religious scenario given in class, the principal is a mid-year hire in a high school situated in what appears to be a predominantly Christian, conservative community. Several facts have come to light regarding equal access and religious activities and actions occurring in the school. First the principal observed the English teacher, Mr. Wrighteous, prominently displaying the Bible on his desk. The teacher also incorporated and promoted religious teachings in a class lesson. He offered a Bible as a reward for good work. This same teacher leads a weekly Bible study and prayer group at school. Another issue has been brought to the principal’s attention, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has inquired about other religious

In our educational system, the struggle between church and state is also present. Teaching religion in the public school system is wrong and biased. It would be impossible to incorporate the religious beliefs of all students into one curriculum and segregating students into religiously based curriculum groups would be unjust and discriminatory. Furthermore, the public schools are teaching our children to be accepting of all belief systems, not just Christian teachings:

Australia Catholic schools took on the government's direction by taking an outcome-based approach to religious education. Supporters of this approach introduced the notion of a focus on the “religious literacy.” Not everyone was in favor for an outcome style of teaching. Barry Dwyer was one who suggested that educators who supported religious literacy are dealing with an “emotive, elusive and unfished concept” (Ryan, 2006). The key to this was to create outcomes that students can achieve for religious education. The ability to comprehend key concepts and the use of religious language were the building blocks for the outcomes. By 2002 all Catholics schools both primary and secondary in Melbourne’s dioceses implemented a textbook series from preparatory to year 10. ‘To know, worship and love’ academic book series was the way forward, providing students with content on Catholic teachings involving faith and morals (Buchanan, & Hyde, 2008). By using these books, students can acquire knowledge about Catholic teachings on the subject of faith and morals. The book series covers five content strands in religious

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

President Clinton was also troubled with this issue.  So much so, that he came up with a statement of principles outlining the separation of church and state in public schools.  On May 30, 1998, Clinton stated, " . . . Schools do more than train children's minds.  They also help to nurture their souls by reinforcing the values they learn at home and in their communities.  I believe that one of the best ways we can help out schools to do this is by supporting students' rights to voluntarily practice their religious beliefs, including prayer in schools . . . For more than 200 years, the First Amendment has protected our religious freedom and allowed many faiths to flourish in our homes, in our work place and in our schools.  Clearly understood and sensibly applied, it works."  (Riley.)

This article offers information about the religion in schools debate in the past and various rulings supporting or dissenting religious practices in schools, rather than presenting an argument. The author states that the majority of debates over religion in schools stems from the establishment or religion clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, which calls for separation of church and state, and the challenge schools face in order to balance separation and religious freedoms. The article then gives a brief rundown of the history of various United States Supreme Court rulings dealing with related issues, as the Court has protected students’ individual rights to pray, wear religious dress and express their beliefs on

There are major discussions occurring currently about the future of Religious Education in the school curriculum. The main reason for this being the question: does Religious Education remain relevant today? In this essay I will explain why Religious Education is relevant today due to the growing secularisation of society, the increasing multiculturalism of the UK and the benefits it provides. I will also analyse the counter argument that society has moved on from the concept of religion and it should therefore not be taught as an academic subject.

I was raised as a catholic for a majority of my life but was completely unaware that Catholics were Christians too. This confusion and lack of religious knowledge is the norm in the United States. To combat this startling issue some have proposed we have religious education in our schools. Religion is a taboo issue and turns even more taboo when we involve children. Many oppose the teaching of region in our schools for the simple reason of separation of church and state. Another reason this is met with resistance would include all the reasons for which religion is frowned upon such as: crating division amongst people and misunderstandings. However, others argue that religious education is necessary in public schools due to the immense

A new understanding of secularism resists the privileging of specific belief systems, religious or nonreligious, in the public domain. As the handmaiden of democracy, secularism insists that the democratic principal is not diluted by prioritising the beliefs on one group of voters over another. A notable disparity exists when taxpayer-funded and tax-free faith groups enjoy blanket exemptions from anti-discrimination laws. So, the taxes of some nonbelievers subsidise groups who actively and legally discriminate against them.