| Author | Message | ||
     Iman501 |
what is all of your takes on religion in public schools? i'm writing a paper for one of my english classes and my topic is the pro's and con's of religion in public schools. | ||
| Andymnelson |
whoa boy.... lol | ||
| Iman501 |
i know it'll cause some arguing........ | ||
| Iman501 |
thats not my goal though, everybody has an opinion which they are entitled to and a believe (or lack of it) which they are entitled to. i just want to hear your reasoning behind your opinions | ||
| Swordsman |
Can I get a Spidey facepalm in the house, AMEN? Could someone go ahead and warm up a seat in the Backfire Board....?  ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on May 11, 2010) | ||
| Iman501 |
are religion threads forbiden? | ||
| 86129squids |
Down here in Knoxville there's a tempest in a teapot over a biology book- supposedly resolved as of last week, but hoo-boy, watch out! Both the Metropulse and the News-Sentinel covered the fracas- you could research them for the latest. Good on ya, and good luck in going after this subject material... | ||
| Swordsman |
No, just highly flammable. Actually, it's the political aspect of the question, not the religious. You know how rowdy this bunch gets over their politics (both sides, mind you).  ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on May 11, 2010) | ||
| Andymnelson |
My opinion: Politics have no place regulating religion, and religion has no power over politics. The state should not be able to tell you what you can and can not do in regards to religion (the real intent of separating church and state), and being of a certain religion should not give you and special "rights". | ||
| 86129squids |
My $.02- religion should be discussed, ALL religion, including atheism and agnosticism. Heck, even the Church of the Sub-Genius. A good teacher will foster a vibrant, civil, well-informed class on religion, I had several good teachers like that- just watch out for the "Bible-thumpers", parents who won't tolerate their kids hearing divergent points-of-view from what their preacher said last Sunday. Now, would someone please cut me some slack? | ||
| Road_thing |
The problem with religious and political threads is that they almost invariably degenerate, at least that's been my experience here over the last several years. As long as it stays civil and respectful, the owner of the site is OK with it. As soon as it gets ugly, it's off to the Backfire Board. rt | ||
| Jaimec |
It's pretty cut & dried as far as I'm concerned. When I went to public school, there was no expectation of religious training... that's why once a week I went to "Religious Instruction" after school. The Constitution was specifically written so that no one religion is touted over another. The easiest way to accomplish that is to tout NONE of them. The other option, of course, is to give equal time to ALL of them. Since that is, for all intents and purposes, impossible the prior option is used. The question of "what constitutes religious teaching" is a dark, murky place that will be argued in the courts for years to come. Hell, it even spawned a religion of its own: Pastafarianism! All hail his noodly appendages... | ||
| Moxnix |
Religion threads are not forbidden, just a source for anxiety for some and fun for others. | ||
| Drkside79 |
My vote is that it should be taught as it pertains to history, psychology and or sociology classes. It should not be taught in any other capacity nor should prayer be allowed. | ||
| Pwnzor |
As long as there is standardized testing, there will be prayer in public schools. I don't think children should be asked to, or forced to, pray. Nor should they be discouraged from having private moments of silent reflection. Any time one student's personal practices infringes on the privacy or sensibilities of another student, then a teacher should get involved and find an amicable solution. Muslim kids could have their prayer rugs and use them during recess if they choose to. Nobody can interfere with or disrespect that. The minute a Muslim kid starts calling a Christian kid an infidel or godless heathen, then the Muslim kid should be expelled. Likewise, a Christian kid belittles the religion of the Muslim, out he goes. I call this policy "zero tolerance for zero tolerance". Bear in mind, these practices are all reserved for RECESS periods. Class time is for studying, even if the topic is religion or evolution. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I agree with Drkside79 right up until he said prayer shouldn't be allowed. Prayer doesn't have to be spoken out loud. Now you want to control the kids' minds???? | ||
| Blake |
Interesting fact: In 1782, the United States Congress was the first to publish an English Language Bible in America including a printed endorsement.
The Bible was required reading in the public schools of America from before the beginning of the nation—and for two centuries thereafter up to the 1940s and 1950s. Indeed, the first book in the classroom was the Bible. It was the centerpiece of a child’s education: “Students learned how to read using the Bible. Much of the school day was devoted to memorizing and reciting passages from it, and passages were copied to learn penmanship” (“Evolving Classroom,” 2001). | ||
| Hootowl |
Forcing students to pray and allowing students to pray are two entirely different things. I don't understand why this is such a difficult concept for some. Our courts sure have a hard time with it. | ||
| Blake |
"nor should prayer be allowed" What law prohibits prayer anywhere in America?
In simple terms: Congress shall make no law concerning any church, mosque, synagogue or other establishment of religion. Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Prayer does not constitute an establishment of religion. Prayer is an act common to ALL religions. Therefore a moment of silence in school for prayer or reflection as the student so desires in no way whatsoever violates any law anywhere in America. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
As long as there is standardized testing, there will be prayer in public schools. Along with regular tests, pop quizzes, etc  Recess or free time, do what ya will. Pray before the bell rings. I think the 10 commandments are great and would be a good model for some of these zoos we call "schools". Make it secular and teach the basics..do good, don't do bad, etc. Also think the paddle should be brought back. Crazy kids in my classes, even crazier in my sisters (younger) generation. Dunno what to do about lazy, irresponsible parents though. | ||
| Pwnzor |
My point exactly, Blake.  Everybody has to believe in something... I believe I'll have another beer. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
"Separation of Church and State" exists NO WHERE in the Constitution. An individual does not relinquish their beliefs or the ability to express those beliefs just because they are employed by a governmental entity. The mistaken belief is that a teacher or student praying or expressing a religious belief as an individual is somehow the government establishing a religion. This is incorrect and was never the intent of the framers of the Constitution. In the zeal to protect 1st Amendment rights, the government, aided by the ACLU, HAS established a religion. Secular Humanism. Many seek to have this to become THE religion of the United States. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
25 years ago, when I was in highschool we had it on our campus. Both as electives. The Bible as Literature The Bible as History Both very popular classes They also had prayer breakfast in the cafeteria for those that wanted to attend Now as I am heathen swine with a non denominational aspect and perspective of the religous oligarchy; I didnt attend any of them. There was a line for me when the Track coach senior year said that if you wanted to be Varsity and a Team captain that you would come to the morning meetings. I told him to F*** off and quit the team. At the reunion I still got the question after 5 years of track, I didnt run long distance in Senior year? today he would have lost his job. | ||
| Bads1 |
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| Ft_bstrd |
I don't believe in ANYONE being forced to attend or believe in (name your deity) nor should attendance in "religious" activities be a condition of participation in educational activities any more than the relinquishing of religious belief should be. I would have stood next to you in the school board hearing asking for that coach's resignation. I would also protect a teacher's right to express their beliefs on atheism as long as the the teacher in the next room is free to express THEIR beliefs on Christ. | ||
| Drkside79 |
Let me rephrase: Verbal prayer should not be sanctioned by any public school. If a kid chooses to pray in there head good for him/her. | ||
| Sifo |
At the reunion I still got the question after 5 years of track, I didnt run long distance in Senior year? 6 year plan??? | ||
| Hex |
We had a good religious thread a few months back, got nearly 400 posts. I enjoyed it as did many others on this board. I think all who participated learned how to walk softly around others beliefs. It did not end up in the Backfire Board. It is archived. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/527811.html?1266187297 I assume you are asking if Religious Studies should be taught in public K-12 schools? To minors? Without their parents being present in class? Tough question. Biology is, even though some disagree on it's theoretical content. Sex Education is as well. As a public university student at UCBerkeley, I was honored to take a two semester course titled History of World's Religions with Prof Huston Smith. His text has probably been the defining text in the field. Even my father had a copy of one of his original books from his Catholic HS days in the 60's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huston_Smith For me, was a fantastic course. Maybe you can include mention of him and his course in your report as an example of teaching Religious Studies in public school. | ||
| Hootowl |
"Verbal prayer should not be sanctioned by any public school" Endorsed, no, but sanctioned? As in not allowed? How does restricting someone's ability to pray as they see fit square itself with the statement: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" ? A kid praying in a public place does not constitute the government establishing a religion, but not allowing him/her to is certainly prohibiting free exercise. | ||
| Prof_stack |
Religion SHOULD be included when studying the history of humankind, from the earliest days to today. The effects of religion upon culture is not new. The US Catholic high schools nowadays do a great job getting their students to have a very broad perspective of the impact of religion to various parts of life. Some might argue that forcing a lack of religion is itself another religion. Note I'm not talking about devotional religion here. |
