Are educators and/or our public schools hostile to religion (other than the religion of secularism)?

Question

Read the following story and respond:

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200610/CUL20061004a.html

Heathen- Read This about the religion of secular humanism.

http://members.aol.com/Patriarchy/definitions/humanism_religion.htm

Answer 1

I don't think teachers are hostile to religion because most teachers that I know go to church. They are constrained by the 1st Amendment, and they try hard not to push a given religion.

In this article, the school is going too far. There is no limit on what this girl can read in her free time. However, if she was attempting to get others to read with her, or using her Bible-reading as a platform to try to spread The Word As She Sees It, then yes, the school has a right to tell her to stop preaching...but not to stop reading.

Answer 2

So get all of this straight:

When one person makes a mistake, it doesn't imply organized hostility or conspiracy.

Secularism is not a religion and only pushed as one by those who feel threatened by the separation of church and state. (Practice your religion and the state will not practice one at all.)

The story you reference even points to the fact that the teacher didn't follow given rules.

This is a non-issue and the courts will ultimately say the same thing. No policy will change, no reversal of previous cases, no precedents set. The court will just say that this "idiot" didn't adhere to the law.

Chuck, I was referring to secularism, not secular humanism, as stated in your question. From Wikipedia:

Secularism has two distinct meanings.

1. It asserts the freedom of religion, and freedom from religion, within a state that is neutral on matters of belief, and gives no state privileges or subsidies to religions.

2. It refers to a belief that human activities and decisions should be based on evidence and fact, and not superstitious beliefs, however devoutly held, and that policy should be free from religious domination. For example, a society deciding whether to promote condom use might consider the issues of disease prevention, family planning, and women's rights. A secularist would argue that such issues are relevant to public policy-making, whereas Biblical interpretation or church doctrine should not be considered and are irrelevant.

Answer 3

Yes. And its hostile to capitalism unless its a fund raiser for the PTA or Sally Foster.

Answer 4

this is obviously an isolated incident and not representative of the educational system in general

Answer 5

yes they are,the girl should have said it was a koran and they would have apologized,and praised her for her devotion,to her religion,but because it was a bible,she needs to be punished,per the democrats/liberals,method of dealing with the believers of god.

Answer 6

No, not in general...
Perhaps in a few isolated cases..

Answer 7

Um, yes!