Religion in schools

religion at church and learning at school.....what a novel idea

it should be that simple....

Yes, and one can inform the other, although, generally speaking, you find more Belief in Church and more Truth in school.

If the Churches and Schools are doing it right in a balanced manner, then the child will be able to think and believe for him or herself.
Novel approach.

it should be that simple....

Yes, and one can inform the other, although, generally speaking, you find more Belief in Church and more Truth in school.

If the Churches and Schools are doing it right in a balanced manner, then the child will be able to think and believe for him or herself.
Novel approach.

love it - think for yourself - you are so right - what a novel approach!!!

Are you not doing the same, by telling us, who believe there should be more freedom, what to believe? "free to worship" what a statement within it's self.

Our Country needs men and women of God, who have been saved by the blood of Christ shining the light, not hiding it.

I'm not sure what all Roger Williams left the New World for, but what is more important is, today. Right now.

I am sure this debate will go on until Christ comes back. Let us all be sure in our hearts, that when we have our turn to stand before Him, that He will be pleased. God Bless all of Sowal.

One more thing, being a Christian, it's not a walk in the park. Being a Christian is one of the toughest. Why, you ask? Because sometimes, God calls to stand before Lions.

I think you're taking this the wrong way shallowfuzz. No one is telling kids what to believe, they are doing the exact opposite in saying - you are free to believe whatever you choose to believe. Government should be agnostic - whether it's one religion or another or no religion, homosexuality or straight, man vs. a woman... government should not pick favorites. That's all. It's not an attack on any particular belief, its respect for everyone's beliefs. I can't imagine having it any other way.. then we truely have gone back to the ways of old England or worse, where government forces particular beliefs upon us. God forbid we end up with that.

I went to a private Catholic school w/ a crucifix in every classroom, a nun or priest running every dorm, 2 semesters of theology as a graduation requirement (one was basically reading 85% of the Bible), a church on campus, and mass as part of the graduation ceremony, and had far less religion crammed down my throat on a daily basis than the Walton County kids who go to A PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDED WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS.

News flash - you can critically discuss your religion's tenets and policies, you can study science (the real stuff like evolution, not hooey like creationism), be involved in ground breaking research, actually teach kids something useful about birth control, treat everyone (including homosexuals) with respect and dignity, you can enjoy your religion and live according to its tenets without forced your beliefs and ideas on everyone else, and you can STILL BE A CHRISTIAN.

Banning plays, public prayers, religious groups at school, school board election issues about yoga and religion..............if another religion pushed THEIR beliefs onto your children this way, you would raise holy hell. All these close minded policies do is make your children less suited for life in the real world - where everyone isn't white and Christian.

Schools are about giving our children a basic education, not about shaping their religious ideas - that's why the teacher has a desk instead of a pulpit!

Actually Roger had to break away from the Puritans in Massachussetts. Ironically he formed what went on to become the Baptist Church!

I know: that was my point.

Wow! I am glad I had to go do some work. Thanks everyone. Ya'll said it much better than I could.

Are you not doing the same, by telling us, who believe there should be more freedom, what to believe? "free to worship" what a statement within it's self.
Our Country needs men and women of God, who have been saved by the blood of Christ shining the light, not hiding it.
I'm not sure what all Roger Williams left the New World for, but what is more important is, today. Right now.
I am sure this debate will go on until Christ comes back. Let us all be sure in our hearts, that when we have our turn to stand before Him, that He will be pleased. God Bless all of Sowal.
One more thing, being a Christian, it's not a walk in the park. Being a Christian is one of the toughest. Why, you ask? Because sometimes, God calls to stand before Lions.

Maybe more emphasis on History Class would have helped:
Pioneers

I think you missed my point. Our country and some of our religions were founded on the premise that there should not be "national religion" as they had in England, but rather, each individual should be able to choose to worship or not.

I respect the right you have to believe or not believe, however you wish; all I ask is that you afford me the same respect. No one has given anyone the right to force any religion into a school setting.

i have written letters to the editor on this subject on several occasions and still fail to understand why people feel the need to push their religion on everyone else in a public school. my children went to a public school, and it was my understanding it was just that "public", not christian, not jewish, not muslim, etc. i had several instances where i had to step in and stop organized prayer at snack time in my oldest son's elementary school. please send your child to parochial school if you want them to learn in a religious (your religion) environment. you can pray in your head all day, for goodness sake. you can go to church or wherever before school, after school and on weekends. how are any of you prevented from practicing your own religion in the proper setting? it's tough enough for kids to try and fit in - when you bring religion into the mix and allow one religion to dominate, such as christianity, you disenfranchise the others. i can't understand how paxton was allowed to have a baccelaureate led by a church. even if it was outside the school, it was really the school's graduation ceremony. what if you aren't christian - yes, there are some people who are not, shocking as it may seem. being inclusive by keeping public schools truly public goes much further to be inclusive of all races, religions, etc.

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Good post Shellak!

It is not the public schools place to sponsor or promote any particular expression of religion. That doesn?t mean a child must leave his/her beliefs ?at the door? - Just not impose them on others at school.

Educating people about various religions in a public school setting might even go a long way to help students learn about religious diversity and the role religion has played in history and today. This could help with prejudices. I do think it would be a challenge for many school districts to find qualified instructors for this. Maybe an on-line course incorporated in their Social Studies program would work. ...

I know I would love for my daughter to have an opportunity to do this in high school but I would want qualified instruction that didn?t present any favoritism to one religion (or no religion) over another. Just from an historical and cultural perspective. Shoot, I would like to take a course like that myself!

Just don't push your religion on me .... I already have enough problems with my own. ..;-)


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After reading all the post regarding prayer and school, one thing comes to mind.
It's ok, to be scared.

After reading all the post regarding prayer and school, one thing comes to mind.
It's ok, to be scared.

with christianity, fear is the key to your body and soul.

i would love to think that public schools could educate students about the world's religions but we all know what would happen - opinions and beliefs of the teachers would overtake the facts, particularly in our area. i've learned there is alot of proselytizing locally. this area reminds me so much of the area we lived in outside of columbus, ohio in the late 70's and early 80's - rural but becoming a mecca for new subdivisions. generally, rural areas seem very homogeneous - when diversity begins to enter the picture, the old guard has a difficult time adjusting and want to continue operating in a status quo way.

it's that fear thing...sad, because most of the people are truly good people who once they get to know someone are gracious and caring to them...there are exceptions of course--how much better it would be if we all could see each other as human beings first.

with christianity, fear is the key to your body and soul.

Religion is a form of child abuse, and the abused often grow up to become the abusers.

Let me tell you a story, a story I hope you have heard. There was a man who built an Ark. God told him to build this Ark. People in Noah's community saw what he was doing and began telling him you're stupid for building this. Noah kept building. As time passed, he finished it, God shut the door and all those who didn't get on board well, you know.

The point is, God is the same as he was in the beginning of time. His Word hasn't changed and won't.
It isn't the global community we should be more concerned preparing our children for, it's preparing them for their eternal life with God.
Let us teach them.
"Teach the little children, and forbid them not to come unto me."
If we are true Christians, it should follow us into the schools, not left on the door steps.

Oh yeah. I saw that movie too on HBO. My kids love it- I think it's called Evan Almighty. I just love fairy tales...

After reading all the post regarding prayer and school, one thing comes to mind.
It's ok, to be scared.

Speaking of being scared. do you have any idea how scary all of this sounds to those of us who are not immersed in religion-

Our Country needs men and women of God, who have been saved by the blood of Christ shining the light, not hiding it.
I am sure this debate will go on until Christ comes back. Let us all be sure in our hearts, that when we have our turn to stand before Him, that He will be pleased. God Bless all of Sowal.
One more thing, being a Christian, it's not a walk in the park. Being a Christian is one of the toughest. Why, you ask? Because sometimes, God calls to stand before Lions.

Below is an essay of sorts that attacks our country's separation of church and state. It actually had references in it to blood and lions (I'm not making this up) which reminded me of other scary posts in this thread.

Anywho-

This was taken from a transcript made of a video released from Osama Bin Laden in September 2007.

"All praise is due to Allah, who built the heavens and earth in justice, and created man as a favor and grace from Him. And whoever obeys Him alone in all of his affairs will enter the Garden, and whoever disobeys Him will have refused..."

"You believe with absolute certainty that you believe in Allah, and you are full of conviction of this belief, so much so that you have written this belief of yours on your dollar. But the truth is that you are mistaken in this belief of yours. The impartial judge knows that belief in Allah requires straightness in the following of His methodology, and accordingly, total obedience must be to the orders and prohibitions of Allah Alone in all aspects of life. So how about you when you associate others with Him in your beliefs and separate state from religion, then claim that you are believers?!"

"You believe that Allah is your Lord and your Creator and the Creator of this earth and that it is His property, then you work on His earth and property without His orders and without obeying Him, and you legislate in contradiction to His Law and methodology."

Speaking of being scared. do you have any idea how scary all of this sounds to those of us who are not immersed in religion-

As well it should. It's better to be a bit scared now than after you take your final breath, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Moving along, there is one disturbing trend that is apparent in our schools and in our young adults for some time now (not all young people, or even the majority, but enough to know something has changed) - a total and complete lack of respect for authority. Lack of respect for parents, lack of respect for the administrators of the schools, and the one that personally raises our hackles, lack of respect for law enforcement and the judicial system. Many of the young'uns who walk through the doors of our workplaces have no clue that it is unacceptable to behave certain ways in a civilized society. It should be pretty obvious what my spouse and I and most of Walton County attribute this to, at least in part. (There is also the issue of arse whoopin', but one controversial subject at a time, please.) What do you guys who are more liberal than we are believe this is attributable to? Or heaven (no pun intended) forbid, do you think it is okay?

As well it should. It's better to be a bit scared now than after you take your final breath, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Moving along, there is one disturbing trend that is apparent in our schools and in our young adults for some time now (not all young people, or even the majority, but enough to know something has changed) - a total and complete lack of respect for authority. Lack of respect for parents, lack of respect for the administrators of the schools, and the one that personally raises our hackles, lack of respect for law enforcement and the judicial system. Many of the young'uns who walk through the doors of our workplaces have no clue that it is unacceptable to behave certain ways in a civilized society. It should be pretty obvious what my spouse and I and most of Walton County attribute this to, at least in part. (There is also the issue of arse whoopin', but one controversial subject at a time, please.) What do you guys who are more liberal than we are believe this is attributable to? Or heaven (no pun intended) forbid, do you think it is okay?

I would bet that the majority of these "trouble makers" you are referring to come from self identified Christian households. I don't think the respect issue is directly tied to religion, but the actual childs upbringing as a whole. If the parents are not enforcing respect for authority figures then the child will not respect authority figures. This is across the board and regardless of religious beliefs. In fact I can't think of a single religion that doesn't teach respect for authority and elders.

As well it should. It's better to be a bit scared now than after you take your final breath, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Either you missed my point or are ignoring it.

I don't find what you say to be scary because I am "god fearing" and am considering the need to repent before I "meet my maker". I'm a good person with a clean conscience.

The only thing scary about what comes after my last breath is just my natural fear of the unknown. I really don't know what comes next. I just wish folks into religion would come clean and acknowledge that they really don't either.

What I find scary are the parallels in what you say and what followers of other religions say (you know- the bad ones)?

Moving along, there is one disturbing trend that is apparent in our schools and in our young adults for some time now (not all young people, or even the majority, but enough to know something has changed) - a total and complete lack of respect for authority. Lack of respect for parents, lack of respect for the administrators of the schools, and the one that personally raises our hackles, lack of respect for law enforcement and the judicial system. Many of the young'uns who walk through the doors of our workplaces have no clue that it is unacceptable to behave certain ways in a civilized society. It should be pretty obvious what my spouse and I and most of Walton County attribute this to, at least in part. (There is also the issue of arse whoopin', but one controversial subject at a time, please.) What do you guys who are more liberal than we are believe this is attributable to? Or heaven (no pun intended) forbid, do you think it is okay?

Agreed, I notice lack of respect for authority. But religion and discipline are not mutually exclusive.

I don't find that there is a correlation between kids who behave and kids who come from religious families.

I DO find there is a MAJOR correlation between kids who behave and parents who are involved in their children's lives, schools, and focus on being parents instead of "friends".

I think the key is mutual respect.

Many of the kids who lack any respect for authority have never been shown any respect by the authority.

As well it should. It's better to be a bit scared now than after you take your final breath, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Moving along, there is one disturbing trend that is apparent in our schools and in our young adults for some time now (not all young people, or even the majority, but enough to know something has changed) - a total and complete lack of respect for authority. Lack of respect for parents, lack of respect for the administrators of the schools, and the one that personally raises our hackles, lack of respect for law enforcement and the judicial system. Many of the young'uns who walk through the doors of our workplaces have no clue that it is unacceptable to behave certain ways in a civilized society. It should be pretty obvious what my spouse and I and most of Walton County attribute this to, at least in part. (There is also the issue of arse whoopin', but one controversial subject at a time, please.) What do you guys who are more liberal than we are believe this is attributable to? Or heaven (no pun intended) forbid, do you think it is okay?

That sounds like something the Pharisees might have been caught uttering about a certain pesky little Jew from Nazareth cica 0015 AD.;-)

I went to a private Catholic school w/ a crucifix in every classroom, a nun or priest running every dorm, 2 semesters of theology as a graduation requirement (one was basically reading 85% of the Bible), a church on campus, and mass as part of the graduation ceremony, and had far less religion crammed down my throat on a daily basis than the Walton County kids who go to A PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDED WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS.

News flash - you can critically discuss your religion's tenets and policies, you can study science (the real stuff like evolution, not hooey like creationism), be involved in ground breaking research, actually teach kids something useful about birth control, treat everyone (including homosexuals) with respect and dignity, you can enjoy your religion and live according to its tenets without forced your beliefs and ideas on everyone else, and you can STILL BE A CHRISTIAN.

Banning plays, public prayers, religious groups at school, school board election issues about yoga and religion..............if another religion pushed THEIR beliefs onto your children this way, you would raise holy hell. All these close minded policies do is make your children less suited for life in the real world - where everyone isn't white and Christian.

Schools are about giving our children a basic education, not about shaping their religious ideas - that's why the teacher has a desk instead of a pulpit!

I went to parochial Catholic HS and was discriminated against because I am not Catholic. Had to pay a much higher tuition and not allowed to celebrate their mass! Talk about being singled-out. Didn't harm me a bit. Religion class, which was a minor subject, but mandatory and not an elective, taught us world religions - ahem, as it relates to Catholicism. Being a minor class, it was only every other day, to boot. But, it was one funn, wild education and placed me well ahead of others!

I see great comments on each side here. It's public school and shouldn't be interrupted with religious activities. And, there is our First Amendment, which is so important in our freedoms. Both principles of which are most likely very near and dear to all Americans' hearts - even some who aren't American like the freedoms they are granted just by stepping on our soil.

My only comment is maintaining the Pledge of Allegiance, which does state ' one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all'......this pledge should never be removed from public schools, IMHO.

Cheers~~

I went to parochial Catholic HS and was discriminated against because I am not Catholic. Had to pay a much higher tuition and not allowed to celebrate their mass! Talk about being singled-out. Didn't harm me a bit. Religion class, which was a minor subject, but mandatory and not an elective, taught us world religions - ahem, as it relates to Catholicism. Being a minor class, it was only every other day, to boot. But, it was one funn, wild education and placed me well ahead of others!

I see great comments on each side here. It's public school and shouldn't be interrupted with religious activities. And, there is our First Amendment, which is so important in our freedoms. Both principles of which are most likely very near and dear to all Americans' hearts - even some who aren't American like the freedoms they are granted just by stepping on our soil.

My only comment is maintaining the Pledge of Allegiance, which does state ' one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all'......this pledge should never be removed from public schools, IMHO.

Cheers~~

For the record, the words "under god" were not in the original version. This was added in 1954 thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Knights of Columbus and the Presbyterian church.

I think you all probably have better things to do with your time and intellect.