Bringing god back into school?

Question

I have heard my father (Southern Baptist) say if we bring god back into school it will fix alot of problems. My question is if the government ever did allow god in school would it be all gods or just jesus? If it was just jesus how is that fair to other people who don't belive in that religion or any religion at all?

Answer 1

Pupils should be allowed to grow up and make up their own mind about religion...

Answer 2

I am a Christian and can see where you're coming from. I don't think bringing God back to school is a good idea though. There are too many differences in theological beliefs among the different denominations, never mind those of another religion. Some people believe in many gods and some are Atheists. Either way, I don't think anyone would like to have other people imposing their religious belief on them, as invariably happens. The founding fathers were really smart to have the foresight to include a separation of church and state clause into the Constitution. History paints an ugly picture of what happens when religion plays a role in public affairs. Remember the Inquisition period and the witch craze hunt only a few centuries ago? How about the Taliban imposing their religious beliefs on society? If I had to choose between the lesser of the two evils, I would choose a secular society, one where people are free to pray and practice their religion in private. Many people I know who aren't religious live a morally upright life. Same goes for the atheists, the Buddhists, the Moon worshippers. What really needs to be done is giving the power back to the parents to be parents. Short of abuse, parents should be allowed to discipline their children without outside interference. Some children are angels and rarely need any correction. Others need a little more discipline to raise them to be responsible, considerate adults.

Answer 3

Well it would not fix any problems and it would also be unconstitutional. America has no national religion. We never have and we are still a great country because of that. Let's keep the barriers between state and church firmly in place. No child (and no parent) should be made to feel less American or inferior because they are not part of a religious majority.

The people who say they want to bring "God" back into schools (meaning public schools) only are referring to their God (In this case, Jesus). They would not like it one bit if other Gods were taught about or prayed to. They don’t really want everybody to have the freedom to practice their religion in school. Nope, they want Christianity as the default religion and the default method of prayer.

If the government ever did allow religion and prayer back into school, they would have to be fair about it and allow ALL religions. You would be opening up a can of worms like you have never seen. I don't think this would sit to well with your father. Ask him if he would like it if you came home and told him that some one at your school lead a prayer to the Great Goddess in her aspect as Destroyer before football games. Or about a morning meditation or prayer to Shiva or hymn to Inanna. Or how about rallying around the flag pole in the morning to pray to Thor for the safety of the students and teachers at the school?

Paganism, according to several surveys, is the fastest growing spiritual movement in the country. Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are likewise making great inroads among Americans. What will happen when the majority religion is no longer Christianity? Will Christian children be made to feel like outcasts and have to deal with being a minority religion with no consideration for their needs? Will they be subjected to a month-long Ramadan holiday or days off for Samhain or Yom Kippur?

Answer 4

This is a hard question to answer. On one hand there has always been rebels in school, but only recently has there been suicidal maniacs running around in school. My bet is, if you bring God back into schools, the maniacs will have yet another reason to blow something up.

I say that the majority of good and intelligent people, be it athletes, validictorians, musicians, actors/actresses, etc should lead by example and show that you can have freedom and fun in schools but don't have to let it get carried away.

Answer 5

Those who fight to bring "God back into school" generally are people like your father. They are committed to a conservative form of Christianity, and believe it should be part of the school day for all children.

I don't mean any disrespect to Baptists or other conservative Christians. But...as you already mentioned, if God was part of the school day, what would this look like? Would Buddhist, Mormon, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, etc. students feel their beliefs and practices were respected?

As a teacher (and a Christian) I would not feel comfortable having school prayer be part of the school day. That said, I give thanks and pray throughout the school day. No one is stopping you, I, others from worshiping God in private.

peace be with you

Answer 6

Never happen. As long as there are multiple religions, the US Constitution, and lawyers- God will never break into the Public school system again. And it doesn't belong there. PUBLIC schools are for everyone- so religion has no place. PRIVATE schools are for people who want an alternative course- so religion can take its place there.

What NH Baritone below me is suggesting is already happening, and its an outstanding way for students to have certain aspects of all religions put in front of them. In my school, world religions were covered in our world history class. It made a great deal of impact upon my interests in the subject... it actually taught me some degree of tolerance toward the subject in general.

Answer 7

It would not be fair, and that is why religion has been outlawed from being taught in schools. I however do not agree with the ACLU types who are trying to get rid of religion altogether. I find this infringement to be a bigger threat to personal civil leberties than the threat to society as a whole.

Answer 8

ALL religion needs to be kept out of state schools. There are the private religious schools to go to for people who want that.

Answer 9

I think that it may be helpful to provide an academic (non-proselytizing) study of a broad spectrum of religions. Even the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Also philosophies. All in order to teach better critical thinking skills.

This would also help us to evaluate the claims of TV commercials.

Answer 10

It would be okay for schools to have a short prayer before class, if all churches would give the congregation a few minutes of algebra before starting to preach.
Otherwise algebra should be kept in the schools, and prayer in the churches.

Answer 11

religion/god in schools will solve nothing,people,such as your father,no offense,tend to avoid real issues,because it might cost money or inconvenience someone,by proclaiming that "god"is a cure all,when its not,perhaps when parents raise their children to be responsible children into adulthood,then mabey there will be peace at school,along with better laws and tougher sentencing for nuts that blow up,or kill students on school campuses,or better health care,including mental health,so people don't feel as if rampaging a school is a last resort.