There was a piece on the Humanism and Jesus in public schools over at Oklahoma Opinion. After reading it I asked the question, how does God belong in public schools? The response I received was in the form of a question (with a subsequent answer): “Do lawmakers, judges and school officials have the right to override the constitutional rights to religion for teachers and students?” This got me thinking on the subject and I re-evaluated my opinions / beliefs on the issue and I realized God does not belong in public schools (okay it was more of a re-affirmation but you get my drift).
I have always been against prayer in schools. In fact I was against the moment of silence that came after the Pledge in high school, but I was much younger and more radical back then. I am not opposed to moments of silence now (I was pretty silly about it back then…oh to be young). What I am opposed to is school lead/sanctioned prayer and/or teaching/preaching of religion. Schools are the place where children are to learn reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, and the social sciences. Public schools are not a pulpit. Public schools are not the place to teach kids about gaining salvation through Christ or Mohamed or Buddha or any other religion or religious figure.
But Dave, how could you believe such blasphemy? Simple and I will use an analogy to make my point. Let’s say that you are a devout Christian with school aged children and you live in a country where you are in the religious minority. So your child is attending the local public school (that is run with taxes that you pay) and comes home one day and tells you that he/she learned about the true way to salvation through religion X. This goes against everything that you believe and now you get to engage in a theological discussion with your child (which most people should do but that’s another topic all together). How would that make you feel? Well that is how every non-Christian family would feel if your God was taught in public schools.
Theology has no place in public education unless it is an elective class at the high school level that teaches the respective histories of the major religions. Learning the history of a religion is not the same as being taught to believe a religion. I know that in Oklahoma I hold a minority position on this issue and that is fine. The beauty of the Constitution, and the brilliance of the founding fathers, is that it specifically protects the minorities from mob rule.
I am not opposed to schools having Christmas decorations during the season because Christmas transcended Christianity long ago. I’m not opposed to schools having organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as long as the school would allow students of other faiths to create similar organizations (Fellowship of Jewish Athletes, etc.). And before too many out there jump to conclusions, I’m not against court houses having the Ten Commandments displayed as part of the décor of the building as a historical reference (that having been said, that judge who had the two ton monument built and put on display was WAY out of hand).
None of the things that I have mentioned persecute or take away the rights of Christians. This is about the religious neutrality of public schools. If you want your kids to go to a school that teaches Christianity, then send your kids to a private school. The difference is in the money. Tax revenue should never be used to teach religion. Any religion. Period.
Also posted on Concerned Citizens of Today
7 comments:
Good points as always Dave. Let me give a little bit of an "on the other hand" view.
On the other hand, if there really is a God, then it is the height of folly to make God the one part of reality we can't discuss in school.
And what about the teacher for whom the reality of God is an integral part of his or her existence? Is that teacher compelled by the Constitution to pretend there is no God from the first bell to closing bell? We're not talking about proselytizing, we're talking about being in touch with reality.
For instance, if a child asks me why we have rules against harassment and hate speech, is it out-of-bounds for me to point out that humans are created by God and have, as a result of that fact, an inherent worth and dignity that each of us is expected to recognize and respect?
Kids have been so brainwashed that they actually believe one can't even bring up the topic of God in a public school. Surely that's not rational, reasonable, or wise.
Is there a middle ground here?
You've brought up some good points. I think that there is a middle ground that we can all agree on that is reasonable, rational and wise. I just hope that we can see through the fog to find it.
Being a beliver myself I find it hard to come up with the words to convey my feelings here but I will give it a go.
I agree with Dave (uhm...Oklahomalefty that is) in that I actually don't think that a "public" school sanctioning or leading any type of mass prayer and the idea of having a world's religion class in high school is great, it gives students different perspectives.
However, if a teacher is outright asked what their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc..are, I don't think it is right for a school to censure (is that the right word?) that teacher and tell them they are not allowed to give their opinion.
I'm hoping we can find some sort of middle ground too.
But personally, at this point in time, my children get their religious education through either me and my wife, and whatever church we happen to attend at the time.
I don't think schools are the place for religious education. I send (only one of my kids for now) my kids to school to get their basic education. At some point in time, I just might choose to send my children to a private school.
And another thing about private schools and government involvement. This might be a bit off topic however, I don't have a problem with the government subsidizing (if that is the word I'm trying to think of here) private education. If a family so chooses for whatever reason that they don't want their children in public school, and if that family can't quite afford the tuition, than I think it is entirely within their right to request government (be it national, state, local, whatever...) assistance to help provide their children with this.
If you would like to see how this issue is analyzed by legal scholars, you can go to an analysis I posted online years ago here.
The information is a little old, but it is mostly good law.
Just to be clear everyone, I am always up for middle ground on this issue. I commented on the other blog that there should be no problem having a 'Moment of Silence' to allow your children to worship however you see fit. I do have one reason for not wanting a teacher talking of their religious beliefs. They are an authority figure and as such children would probably more inclined to believe their ideas. I'm sure that any Christian wouldn't want an Atheist teacher telling their children of his or her religious beliefs. I don't want an Atheist teacher even telling my children how to believe. That does not reflect my beliefs either.
Your good intentions still take away the right to practice their religion to teachers and students. Also you strip parental power and give it to the government. The result we all see...is lackluster education while aclu types quibble about melting everyone down to the Dewey/Marx level of mediocrity.
Ye ole conservative blogger says said...
Your good intentions still take away the right to practice their religion to teachers and students.
How? How has anything that I brought up in my post taking away anyones rights?
Post a Comment