Find Religion

Part two to the religious round table for May below.

See part one here.

Vote in the religion in schools poll here.

A brief review of this month’s participants:

This month’s participants:

Allison, FindReligion Moderator, Lutheran
Dave Parrack, Freelance Writer, Agnostic
Gillian, Jewish
Dr. Jeffery D. Long, professor of religion and Asian studies, Hindu
Summer M, Priestess, Pagan
JM, Freelance Writer, Neo-Pagan
Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall, Pastor, Editor, Historian, Disciple of Christ
Stephanie Hyatt, High School English Teacher, Cumberland Prebyterian

This Month’s Topic: God in Our Schools, continued…

Allison: Do you guys and gals think that prayer should be allowed in public schools?

Gillian: Whether it should be allowed is hard to say (so many arguments on both sides), but it should always be optional. If children who opt out suffer (eg by being ostracised) because of that decision then I would suggest that the prayer is not fulfilling its aim and should be reconsidered.

JM: Forcing them to would be wrong if they don’t want to, but I see no problem if they are peacefully expressing themselves.

Summer M: I am all for a set time each day for children be able to pray/think/meditate/etc… quietly on their own. But setting up a set prayer for all students or expecting all students to do the same thing infringes on each child’s person freedom.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: Every student, in his or her own way, or even gathering as a student led group, has the right to pray, but school sponsored prayer is not just unconstitutional it is coercive and counterproductive.

Stephanie Hyatt: Prayer DOES exist in public schools. Should school-led prayer be observed? No. But should students feel free to engage in prayer or meaningful religious exercise? Of course! And they do! I hear lots of praying when I start handing out a test!

Allison: What about the words “Under God” in the US Pledge of Allegiance? How does that sit with you guys?

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: The words “under God” were not originally part of the Pledge of Allegiance and were included in the 1950’s to express opposition to Communism. Perhaps they could be optional.

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: The phrase “under God” is an addition to something written (ironically by a pastor) that did quite well without the phrase. Now, I’m not offended by it, but I think that the phrase is essentially meaningless. In many ways the Jehovah’s Witnesses have it right, pledging allegiance to the flag is theologically suspect.

JM: If it’s such a problem, then give people the option to omit saying those words.

Allison: Does anyone believe they should be omitted complete?

Summer M: Yes I think they should. Not every person believes in God, therefore it is limiting.

Dave Parrack: Being British, this doesn’t really apply but I think it should be removed. When MPs join the British parliament, they have to swear on the Bible, and this is something else which should also be changed.

Allison: So, does religion have a place in schools at all? What about religious organizations, like Campus Christians or something to that effect?

Rev. Dr. Robert Cornwall: This is already recognized as passing Constitutional muster and the Clinton Administration laid out guidelines for its proper utilization. If not coercive and is student led, then it, like any other student led organization, is fine.

Allison: But on a more personal level? How do you feel about it? Should schools be allowed to host religious organizations?

Dr. Jeffery D. Long: Yes. Not a school sponsored event, but permission could be given to use school facilities.

Dave Parrack: My only fear would be creating divisions along religious lines, something which should be avoided at any age, let alone high school age.

Gillian: When a school sponsors religious organizations, they should carefully monitor them to ensure that they don’t result in conversion attempts or negative practices by the students in the group. I’m thinking specifically of the possibility of racism as an unintended consequence of religious organizations. The maturity of students is very important in any study group that looks at such specific human values, including groups that study atheism.

JM: What’s the problem? If they’re not hurting anyone, then there shouldn’t be one. In my experience, religious organizations are generally happy to let you float in and out, exploring. They also give teens something more to do if they’re not athletically or artistically inclined.

Allison: That’s great that you had a positive experience, but I think some would disagree.

Summer M: My high school was full of religious organizations that met on school grounds, during school, sponsored by school. It only serves to point out those who do not participate and creates a feeling of isolation.

Does religion in schools breed isolation, as Summer suggests? Can it be integrated in a healthy and positive way? Check late tomorrow for the finally to this month’s religious round table, and a discussion on creationism vs. evolution.

religion in schools, religion, God, education