How has religion been forced on you in a public school?

Question

A few instances: Kindergarten class "does something for the community" at Christmas, which I support. But their project was to ring bells for the Salvation Army, which IS a religious organization. My kid was the only one who didn't participate. The Spanish teacher is super-christian and gives the kids christian tracts to translate into english.

Answer 1

We had to say the blessing before lunch every day in K-5.

Creation was taught until I got to the 9th grade.

We prayed before football and basketball games, meaning the announcer led the whole stadium or court in prayer.

We debated the meaning of different bible verses, and whether or not people burn forever in hell. We actually had an organized debate over that one.

Honestly I could think of more examples but I'm sure you get my point.

Answer 2

The 'establishment clause' of the 1st Amendment says that government will not establish an 'official' religion. This means that teachers can't lead kids in prayer, teach religious doctrine, or do anything to endorse one particular religion. Years ago I had a teacher who began every class with a prayer. Like a good Christian she always finished her prayer 'In Jesus' name we pray' (because, after all, Jesus said to pray in his name!) At one point I mentioned to her (quietly, in private) that I was Jewish, as were about 1/3 of the kids in her class, and that we were excluded from this prayer. She said that Jesus was -her- God and that if we didn't want to be led in prayer we were welcome to go stand in the corridor during the prayer. How many 7-year-old kids do you think are going to do that? 8^) I think the teacher was wrong to refuse to put a student's essay about Jesus on the board. I would have done it, even though I'm not Christian myself. But the teacher was probably nervous about it because there's a great ongoing controversy today about this. And that's because (some) Christians are working to reverse a long-standing principle of keeping religion out of school, and non-Christians (and other kinds of Christians) are fighting for their own rights. Refusing to allow schools to endorse Christianity does not equal pushing atheism.

Answer 3

I always say "under Bob" when the pledge of allegiance is required. I know I could refuse it altogether but the pledge to deity part is the only thing I don't agree with and it is uncomfortable to opt out socially. I am glad they didn't have mandatory prayer. Religious classmates were free to pray at their own discretion but I didn't have to feel like I was going against the stream for not doing so. I think my school was fair and nondiscriminatory in most regards, relgion was not forced on me. I am grateful for that.

Answer 4

In the 10th grade, my history teacher (a baseball coach -- there's a shocker), openly admitted that the "World History" we would be studying would focus only on Christianity and the places that it spread to.

In 9th grade, our science teacher refused to teach us evolution. Which is a shame because if you want to major in science or understand the reality of biological mechanisms, you're going to need this knowledge.

In 8th grade, our science teacher told us that the fossil evidence wasn't proof of anything and totally went against the teachings of the Bible.

And through all my years and even to this day, Hinduism is referred to as "mythology," where as Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are referred to as "religion." That shows a strong bias.

Oh, and when as a teenager I was seriously depressed and needed medical and professional help, a guidance counselor told me that Jesus was the "only light" that could save me and offered to witness me right then and there if I wanted to be saved.

Answer 5

My high school....Abington Sr. High....was one of the schools that broguht prayer in school to the supreme court. During my time at Abington....a wealthy suburban public school (with a fascist group of under takers who are religious zealots in the school board) there were 3 occasions where prayers were read over the loud speakers during home room. In all 3 cases it was old testament...and was in response to a death. There were numerous teachers who also wore outward religious symbols during class. Several did openly counsel children to embrace the Christian Church while they were having problems.

None of this should have been permitted under the decision of Abington Vs. Schemp.

Answer 6

they have christmas parties in my sons elem school and eatser egg hunts in a public school play ground during easter. There are christmas decorations all over. The pledge of elegance. Some have prayers before sports. in my sons kendergarden class the teacher was teaching him jesus loves me as a music lesson is how she put it in her lesson plans. This is all in public schools.

Answer 7

How can the public school force it on you when the schools are prohibited from anything to do with religion unless it is an after school thing where only kids that want to be involved are involved

Answer 8

Unless theyre putting guns to the heads of students, I wouldnt call it use of force. Lets talk about indoctrination of atheistic philosophy in science class! Now that did happen to me when I was a teenager and led to me becoming an atheist which started the worst downward spiral in my life!

Always remember that one of the things ALL parents are going to be judged on is whether they taught their kids about God, or poisoned them as you are to your children.

Answer 9

Are you crazy? Religion is not even allowed in public school. I think the better question would be what false doctrine in the name of "tolerance" or atheistic ideas have been forced on our children.

Answer 10

OK, fools, evolution is not a religion...