Religion in Schools
The significant debate on religion in schools is becoming more and more heated. Many people say that banning religion in schools would be unconstitutional, which in some aspects is understandable since the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of religion. Since September 11th there has been a greater tendency of Americans to want to pray together in public , especially students in public schools. Some say that praying is a way to declare their freedom and independency, but now they are being told that they can’t express what they feel about the events happening around them through prayer or religious activity. The first amendment of the U. S. Constitution provides the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and other freedoms that are of importance to Americans today. The debate over religion being banned from schools is raising some questions about whether or not that would violate the first amendment of the U. S. Constitution. An amendment to protect religious expression in public places, especially in public schools, was introduced to Congress in 1994 after the Republicans won the majority vote in both houses since most of the Americans not in favor of banning . . .
These two phrases are now being questioned also. In 1993 a survey by the National Association of Released Time Christian Education found that 250,000 students from California to Maine participated in Christian released-time programs (Spaid 1). While school officials, due to their busy schedules, may not be fully aware of this body of law as they could be and as a result, in some school districts some of these rights are not being observed (United ). Regarding students schoolwork, students can use or write about religion in their homework assignments, such as reports or artwork. They are programs that provide students with religious education during the school day. Students are also allowed to wear clothing with religious bible verses or religious statements on them and they may distribute religious materials to other students. It seems that some Americans don’t understand that the government is not able to do this because it would be violating the Constitution and the government laws. Although the issue regarding religion in the public schools is still a difficult one, many of these issues have been settled. Vitale in 1962 banned teacher-led prayer and Abington v. Parents are beginning to question whether or not taking religion out of schools is a cause of a decline in virtues. Schempp in 1963 banned teacher-led Bible readings. For example, paper money, which is manufactured by the government, can say “In God We Trust” and “Under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in the 1950's. In 1995 the Department of Education issued a set of principles stating what was prohibited and what was not prohibited in public schools regarding religion. These topics can be addressed but not taught. What is happening as a result of all this backlash seeking to bring religion back into the schools-at least partly also because of the rash of school shootings and the fear that American schools are turning into a devoid of any moral compasses (Stephen 20).
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