Religion in Public Schools?
337167
since the american school system was founded by the church and seperation of church and state is a myth...I am for religon in school!
1165493
I think a lot of children are indoctrinated from birth.  Here's the thing, though:  It seems unfair to me to force your faith on a child.  It seems to be better for everyone if there is no religion in school or government, and that is just on a basic freedoms level.  What if there was a state-mandated religion, and you were in the wrong one?  What then?  I think that children should be free to learn about religion and spirituality, but never, ever forced to it.  And with the keeping religion out of schools, I should clarify.  I have no problem with extracurricular clubs, elective courses, or even a moment ofsilence at the beginning of the day.  I don't care if children pray throughout the day, as long as it isn't disruptive.  I just don't want a teacher to be able to tell my children what they think the true religion is, or having creationism part of science class.  My kids kind of lean toward not believing in God, and that's fine.\n\n\nedit:\n\nMarcia L. is clueless.
828865
I don't think it'd be a particularly bad thing for there to be a religion course in public schools.  Religion is a huge part of modern society, and to be ignorant of (or worse, prejudiced about!) it is to lack understanding of a key factor in today's world.  You just can't fully understand events in Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, England, Tibet, Israel, France, Norway, the United States, or a myriad of other nations if you don't understand religion.  As for which religions should be taught, it should naturally be all the major ones, not just Christianity.
416942
religion and government
342189
Ther are public schools and state schools. Public schools are private schools (normally fee paying). State schools are schools run by local authorities. These can include schools run on religious education grounds.
669438
Good question:  What we have now is a variety of religions in the U.S. and everyone wants their religion in the schools.  It has created a problem and the Govt. has gone completely atheist.  (no God in the Govt.)  Anyway I think all christian children should go to Christian schools.  It cost me a bundle to do it with mine, and it was worth it.  The public school is not neutral, but really anti Christian and a hard place for a Christian.  Pray about going to a Christian school.  Maybe someone would sponsor you for that.  Pray about it.
887385
No. Any structured prayer in public schools will favor one religion over all others.\n\nThe Catholic Church agrees with the U.S. Constitution as currently interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and does not support "structured" prayer in public schools.\n\nIn the Vatican II document, DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, DIGNITATIS HUMANAE (Human Dignity), the Church states: \n\nThe human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.\n\nChildren will continue to privately pray before tests just like they always have.\n\nWith love in Christ.
541657
Where were you when government class taught the seperation of church and state?  I am so tired of hearing about not praying in school.  No one I know ever did except the small country schools years ago.  The founding fathers didn't want one religion to run things so it had no place in government!\nIf there was to be prayer in school, it would take forever: Christian prayer, Buddhist, Wiccan invocation, Hindu, Jewish, etc.  There can never be just one!\nI don't know how you can say God has been kicked out.  Come to Northern California, Texas, Utah, etc.  There are churches on every corner where I live.
963929
This is a very good point, and i have actually researched it before.  In the Freedom of Religion amendment, there are two clauses: the establishment clause, and the free excercise clause.  The establishment clause is the separation of church and state, or in other words, the government cannot establish or promote any one relgion.  In the free excercise clause, the government cannot ban any one religion.  Oddly enough, atheism is only considered a religion in the free excercise clause, and not in the establishment clause.  This is a sort of loophole that allows the religion to establish atheism in schools, without going against our rights to freedom of religion.  Pretty messed up, huh?
45368
Whether you are a student or a teacher, you have the right to read the Bible in public schools. However, you cannot, force your views on others nor can you use the Bible to teach religion. You cannot, if you are a teacher, force a student to read the Bible. You can also pray in public schools, again, as long as you do not force others to participate. You cannot hold a public assembly that involves religion. Sad but true.
743752
The previous answers are either, vague or incorrect. The bottom line on current judicial thinking is as follows:\n\nPer the "Establishment Clause," it is unlawful for schools to initiate any form of prayer in schools or at school events, such as graduations or sporting events, etc.\n\nPer the "Free Exercise Clause," students are free to pray at school, and organize non-faculty-led prayer or Bible study groups. They may even request the use of school facilities for these meetings, as the Supreme Court has ruled that these groups have as legitimate a claim as any other student organization like Junior Achievement or the Chess Club.\n\nI hope this helps
802287
No. Children should go to secular schools. Sunday school should be at the discretion of the parent. The state should favor not one religion over any other, and perhaps frown on religion itself if one of the parents is not religious.\n\nIn cases of divorce, the court should choose whoever the best parent is objectively, without preference to gender, religion, or any other discriminatory category.
425540
lol well i went to a catholic school when i was in first grade, went to a public school in 2nd and 3rd, then back to catholic on 4th and 5th grade [[i switched so much because i kept moving to different places from time to time]] ..from then on i stuck with the public schools. so yeah basically i began to comprehend pretty much everything when i was in first/third grade even, mainly because my family was i guess what you could call religious and prayed the rosary like at least once a month but..yeah. i also went to ccd, (its a school teaching about god and stuff just in case you dont know)but i didn`t relly learn from much there exept on my confirmation. i didnt learn much because all they do is play games and talk about god, (the basics) and like..yeah. but you can send your kids to ccd if you want, not my choice, but i recommend only in grades 7 and 8 for confirmation. make sure to go to church every week though and likee..pray. haha kthxbye..goodLuck!!
924371
Ugh...some of these answers...When personal morals get mixed with public politics(aside from leaders breaking established law) there is always trouble. The nice things about a Free country is that even if Public schools don't teach christian/judeo values in school doesn't mean that you can't send your kid to a religious school. The only way that could be fdone properly is to have a religion class and teach about MANY religions fairly.\n\nI HATE that my freedoms are being crushed under a presnt govt's leave taking. I am awaiting, armed and ready, the revolution.\n\nBuisiness would regulate to match the publics desires IF the GOVT stopped giving AID to large profitable buisness. The end. \nWhat ever happened to good 'ol Teddy and his big stick? I guess there is a carrot tied to the end now...:(\n\nPeople of born to or earning weath are not superior...it goes back to the previous comment. Lack of appreciation...it is a sorry state, but not a crime. At least those who earn it have a *bit* more appreciation.\n\nBy the way I am a conservitive contitutionalist.
471326
Not in state-funded schools--separation of church and state should be strictly enforced.  In religious-run institutions, they should do whatever they want.  If a student didn't want the religious instruction, they could go somewhere else.  In my perfect world.
471228
From my experiences kids that have attended christain schools of any denomination tend to revolt at about 16 or 17 years old. I would bet that drug use and other frowned upon activities are higher in these kids than in those at public schools.
781455
I have taught in "Brethren Schools". The students come to learn and treat each other and the staff with respect. Because of their religious philosophy, you get some interesting situations!\nA child drops or throws a piece of paper on the floor. The teacher asks," Who did that?".  The child IMMEDIATELY owns up!\n\nImagine such an episode in a state school.\n\nIt is one of the reasons that they don't want their children educated in the state system.