Students could benefit from a religious focused course in high school. Despite religion in schools being highly controversial, public schools should be allowed to teach religion in school. Specifically this could negate religiously motivated hate crimes, help the student body become more familiar to religion as it is becoming more diverse, religious literacy is key to a well-rounded education, and students have a first amendment right to religious expression in school. All religions should be encompassed equally. Religion is school is not to be “rally” or a “life altering moment”, but a way of understanding cultures around the world and between one’s neighbors.
Religion is mentioned in school, but is brushed over do to fear of “hitting a sore topic” or offending other religions. The main issue is not discussing all religions equally and independently from other studies. First,
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According to the U.S. Department of Justice's "Hate Crime Victimization" report, the percentage of hate crimes that were motivated by religious bias was nearly three times higher in 2012 (28%) than in 2004 (10%)” (School Reform, 2015). Those are only a couple examples or hate gone too far. These were tragic accidents that derived from preconceived notations about people that could have been avoided and saved lives. Religiously motivated hate crimes are on the rise. High school and even middle school students should strive to reduce the ignorance of young adults to young teenagers. With religion as a class students can become aware and have a safe open environment in which they can become more familiar with other walks of life. Hate crimes are becoming all too easy for people as if they do not even see other ways of life, in particular
Jews, but how does that differ from a small country town in Oklahoma where the
When working with students assignments that deals with religion, we as educators have to take various things into considerations. We have to allow students the opportunity to express themselves even when dealing with religious
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
Children may have to attend a school that is associated with their religion. It is always possible that this gives the child a different quality/balance of education. They may struggle to understand other people‘s religion or lifestyle choices. They may become confused or isolated and
Religion in the Public School Curriculum: Questions and Answers, which was issued by a coalition of 17 major religious and educational organizations,...describes the importance of religion in the curriculum through this statement: Because religion plays a significant role in history and society, study about religion is essential to understanding both the nation and the world. Omission of facts about religion can give the students the false impression that the religious life of humankind is insignificant or unimportant (Haynes, 2). Thus showing that religion was a vital part of the foundation of the United States. If we no
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.
I volunteered at Chiefland Elementary School, under Ms. Sidorenko’s supervision. After doing my twenty hours of volunteering at Chiefland Elementary School, I have gained new knowledge on how religion works in schools. If you grew up in a small town area like I did, you would know that religion around here is not a touchy subject with many people. Many faculty administrators who work in the school system happen to be Baptists or Christians. Therefore, people are able to throw in religious assessments here and there without getting into too much trouble. In this case, at this school, everyone goes to the same church or partners with each other’s churches. Before I go on, let me just say, even though I am a Christian, I think that religion shouldn’t be a topic talked during school hours. My reasoning for this is because children are there to get an education and to learn about the world around them. Teachers barely have enough time to teach the concepts that are mandatory, if we add religion it will just offend students and teachers won’t be able to get their job done. Now that society is changing and is starting to accept individuals more, I have noticed this school is having a hard time accepting that.
Religion is one of the largest controversies in the world, due mainly to different people with different backgrounds and cultures are in America. Religion creates positivity and brings people together, but can also cause arguments and debates. America founded its nation on religion; however, society has slowly pushed it away year by year. Religion is being pushed out of our classrooms, schools, and communities because of the miniscule percentage of people in America who aren’t religious. People are becoming offended easily by religious topics, which is causing the negativity among American citizens. America’s youth are being deprived of an education that includes world religions and culture. There hasn’t been a single successful effort to reinstate religion into schools despite efforts to slowly take away the changes that have been made to take religion out. I propose to reestablish religion into Athens High school because it forms good morals that will help America’s youth become better contributors of society.
I believe religion should not be taught in public schools because it brings all sorts of problems. Religion should be taught only in religious schools because the children who attend that religious school are sponsored by their parents. They are allowed by their parents. If teachers teach religion in public schools some students may not seem to care and take it offensive because it’s going against their free will and going against their parent’s statement.
One article called “Connecting with the Divine” states that there are 5 major religions in our world. If schools were allowed to teach about religion in classrooms students could have the opportunity to experience a taste of many other cultures that those religions are present in. Students would be able to learn about all the different holidays and special occasions that go one and possibly even have their own celebrations in class. Many kids don’t get the leisure to travel to where a religious festival would be held, but if they had the chance to savor a piece of these different cultures in class it would enhance their world around
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.
Religion in Schools has proven to be a very controversial matter as of lately. Even though teaching about religion is allowed in public schools, there are still many questions that are being asked in order to provide a basis of what is appropriate for school, and what is inappropriate. The first amendment to the United States Constitution says that 'congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof' which implies that you have the choice of exercising your own religion, no matter what it may be. However, this poses an interesting argument within the public schools of America because we have such a diverse population with
Learning courses specializing in religion can foster open-mindedness, cultural appreciation and improve behavior among students. Students may be more apt to accept differences in people around them, and portray a positive attitude when they have access to learning about diverse religions.
One of the avenues of influential learning is in school. The place where students spend half of their life. Going to school aids students in acquiring knowledge, establishing rapport and developing skills. When students attend school, they showcase not only their characters traits and attitudes, but they also carry with them their cultural differences and religious practices. (Green & Oldendorf, 2005). Looking at how diverse our society is, the question of teaching religions and their ideologies at a school-level rise. Whilst the state practices neutrality towards religion, there are still issues and challenges when it comes to accommodating religious diversity and its integration in the education system (Berger, 2013, p.104). Therefore, integrating religion in the education system can lead to
A considerable amount of research has been carried out on what should be taught in religious education, and how it should be taught in classrooms. REDCo was one research carried out in eight European countries with students from the age of fourteen to sixteen, this research really got me interested in the content being taught to students, as they expressed their own attitudes