Can you help me?

Question

I have to write a paper for English and I chose Religion as my topic. The question is: How does religion affect students' rights? So I did some research, but I know need to do my outline.

All I need from you guys is to give me some ideas on some advantages/ benefits of allowing religious expression in school. Any thing? How about disadvantages? Thanks guys!

Answer 1

Ever since the seperation of church & state (was it in 1964?), & prayer in American schools have been disallowed, horrible things have happened. Who can help noticing the escalating violence in American schools? I read in the papers about them.

I am not an American but I feel the pain of the American people when senseless killings take place in American colleges.

When God is 'kicked out' from schools & colleges, the Light goes & darkness inevitably takes its place.

Bring back the Light into the schools & colleges of America! Save your children!

Answer 2

I actually think your question is backwards. Religion doesn't affect rights, but rather, rights affect the ability to express religion. The Bill of Rights is supposed to protect religious expression. Perhaps your question should be "How is religion affected by civil rights and legislation?"

Your next paragraph states the problem. Religious expression is "allowed" or "tolerated". That is the law affecting religion, not the other way around.

I think that one of the problems with an unlimited free exercise and demonstration of religion in a public school is the tendency of some to use it as a means of proselytizing. Such an act in a public school, permitted by the school constitutes an endorsement of religion. That can be a problem.

Personal prayer is one thing. Handing out tracts and proselytizing is another.

Answer 3

Religion can make you a target, no matter what religion you are. Pagan kids are often outcasts. Christian kids are seen as square. Muslim kids are harassed outright. Atheists are usually seen as a pain in the ***. Any religion can be treated as if it's evil, or a cult, depending on who is the majority in the area.

People also get religion more mixed up with politics in school. Keep in mind that we don't develop the capacity for abstract thought until our late teens, if we do at all. Most people don't. Then you have concrete, black and white thinkers vs. people who can step outside themselves and question the teachings they grew up with. The former think the latter are stuck up; The latter think the former are reactionary and poorly educated.

Richard Speck, a YA author who wrote "Are you in the house alone?" once said that "all children are nazis until they're trained out of it." If you understand Kohlberg's Levels of Moral and Ethical Development, you'll see how true that really is.

Answer 4

While I don't see any particular benefit in allowing religious expression in school, neither do I see the necessity for banning the mention of God--not only in schools but in government agencies. After all, our Constitution was founded on the belief of God. People should be free to worship in whatever faith they wish. I'm not saying that religion should be taught in public schools, since every child is of a different belief. But merely mentioning God, as in the Pledge of Allegiance, should not be construed as a religious practice. A child should be able to choose whether or not he or she wishes to participate in religious holiday celebrations or not. But I don't believe the schools should convey the message that there is no God by banning the very mention of His name. Anyway, that's the way I see it.

Answer 5

religious expression should be allowed, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others....and it is done in good taste....

wearing jewelry with religious symbols....being able to pray in groups if they want..( ie when not in class)..having religious study sessions after school.....if someone believes or does not believe in God, they should be able to say this without getting kicked out of school.

courses should be optional in school...no education should be denied...just because it is religion....however, one should no force any student to participate in something religious...relgious activity should be available and optional.....

right now, religion is not allowed...however there are exceptions...i have personal experience at Univ. of NC..where freshmen were required to read the Quran..there were many protests.....this is an offense because choice was removed...they should have given a set of options and let the student pick which one they wanted.....also teaching evolution is not science..it is humanism, which is a religious philosophy with no physical evidence......if they teach evolution..they should allow creation science as an alternative...the schools are basically picking their views on religion and making hte students conform....this is the time when they should be given all the info and let them decide....instead...they manipulate them in an atheist direction..

Answer 6

To not allow one to show their religious expression is a violation of our constitutional rights no doubt. I don't think someone should have to follow any particular religion, but to discriminate by not allowing someone to dress or act according to their religion is a violation of the Constitution. I practice Krishna Consciousness which is nonsectarian and Universal. We don't discriminate against any religion, understanding there is One God with many names and Traditions.

Answer 7

Religion actually muddles with student's rights. if religion was allowed into all schools, then you would see a lot of brainwashing... sorry, not exactly something that needs to be taught. :)

Answer 8

For one thing our country was founded on christian principals.Slowly but surely our christian rights have been taken away from us.Why?Because someone didn't want to respect our God,The God of our forefathers.And look what has happened.Kids killing kids,drugs and alcohol abuse,molestations ,teachers sleeping with students.SICK I tell you.Bring prayer back into schools.,salute the flag with respect to those who have given us freedom to worship GOD and let the rest home school their children if they dont agree,instead of us having to take our kids out of such a filthy inviroment........................Good luck on your report!!!!!!!