Should Bible classes be allowed in public schools or does it violate religious freedom(bill of rights)?
406492
Putting aside whether it's legal, what would be the purpose of Bible classes in public schools?  Our education system is already struggling to teach basic literacy and math.  And there's no shortage of churches in the U.S.  So it does not seem like Bible classes would well serve the educational mission of public education.
755436
Religion should only EVER be allowed in schools when ALL religions are being taught to ALL students.  Then perhaps people may understand another's point of view a little more readily.  Other than that, it's outright OFFENSIVE to force one religion onto all children in school.  This should never, ever happen in a "cilvilized" society...it's outrageous.
439159
I think it would be fine to have a voluntary comparative religion class in schools. I think it might create more understanding and tolerance between followers of different religions.\n\nHowever, I don't think it would have much effect on the religion a child would choose. I have observed many times throughout my life that when someone asks a child (under the age of, say, 13) his or her opinion about something like religion or politics, the child will nearly always give the same opinion they've heard their parents give. That's just how kids are.\n\nSince we can't expect parents to avoid exposing their kids to their own religion until the kids are teenagers, I don't think that teaching religion in school would really help kids choose a religion.
996510
That is a very interesting insight.....however i dont think evolution should be taught in sunday school, everything has a time and space. In school, I think there should be taught both things, that way the person has a right to choose whatever view they desire.
411677
if you want to put religious texts in schools you better make readily available all religious texts from all faiths and walks of life as to not discriminate.  I think if the school has the funds and means to keep a large section like that more power to them because its good for children to have access to material like this to better educate themselves.  If they had it then they could learn of other religions and cultures.  Ignorance is not bliss.  So if they had the means to educate themselves it would be all the better for every one.
376023
I think the Catholic Church doesn't like divorce but never asked America to ban divorce.\n\nI think this should be the model.  Government exists to protect people's different religions. \n\nWhen someone says I am going to consider my religious believes when they run for something, I am all for it.\nIts not a violation.\n\nWhen a person wants creationism taught in a science class in a public school, this is I think a violation of church and state, and recent court cases seem to think it unconstititional to teach creationism in science class.\n\nI think Jesus and creationism should be taught in something called comparative religion, maybe it should only be an elective, but we need to be able to present the option for people to learn to become culturally literate if they desire.\n\nThats just how I feel.
849260
That's the flaw in their argument. Nine times out of ten, they only want Christian prayer and Christian material in schools. It's the same people who support the Ten Commandments being placed in a government building, but would flip over backwards with anger if someone put the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism or the Five Pillars of Islam in there as well.
654669
Absolutely not. \n\nLet me put it this way. Who's religious belief is right? \n\nIf you can answer that question, then we can have prayer in schools. If not, then you can begin to figure out why there is no prayer in school. \n\nSee, if the state begins to determine what prayers can be prayed in public school, then the state makes an endorsement of a particular religion. From there, the state gets more involved in the politics of religion. \n\nNow, the last thing you want is the government telling you how you should or shouldn't pray, right? \n\nLet me go a step further. Let's say we go with the fact that 90% of Americans believe in God. So, you say "Hey, we can just pray to a generic god. Then nobody's discriminated against." (Except the 10%, of course.)\n\nExcept, praying to a generic god is a sin. You pray to the one true god, otherwise, you're really ticking god off. Besides, Christians are pretty fond of Jesus and would get really ticked at keeping him out of prayers, don't you think?\n\nSo, we have to make a choice. Who's religion is the right one? Well, Christians outnumber everybody else by a wide margin in the US, guess we'll make Christiantiy the de facto religion of the US. (85% of believers are Christians of some form or another in the US. So we take 85% of the 90%)\n\nExcept, which version of Christianity is the right one? Do we have Catholic mass? Do we have have Baptismal hymnals? What about those who refuse to engage in the prayer? Will there be repercussions? (You bet there will be by those who do pray versus those who don't.)\n\nOK. You might say I'm complicating the problem, but I'm not. Essentially, we have a separation of church and state to avoid internal conflict in the country over who's religious belief is the correct one. We also, don't want a government telling us who to worship and how to worship. (Living in a religion dominated society is called, theocracy. See the Middle East for what our lives would be like if we had a church dominated government.)\n\nKeeping prayer out of schools and government allows us to live in a country where we have religious freedom. The freedom to worship as we choose of our own free will.\n\nIn other words nobody is penalized for not being of the "correct" faith. Everybody has the freedom to worship without government oversight and being bullied by social pressures. Nobody is at risk of the majority telling them how to live. \n\nAmerica is about freedom. Freedom from government endorsed religion is a good thing.\n\nHope that makes sense.
872716
nothing but your own belief. see what you think is right another person might not, thats why it not allowed in school. But i think they should change that rule because in literature it has secret and hidden religious perposes. but any way i think that its just how much faith you have in your own religion.
193018
There was prayer in school up til the 1970's.\n\nTelling someone when and where they can practice their religion is a violation of their Constitutional Rights.\n\nYou have a right to practice your own religion, you do NOT have the right never to be offended.\n\nOtherwise, I could sue you right now, you have OFFENDED ME by stating your beliefs, which I do not share.\n\nThink you should go to jail????\n\nNO??\n\nNeither should students that pray in school.
297549
Yes, they can say it would invoke controvery and therefore it shouldn't be allowed. Some schools have crosses and jewish stars banned, because it could start religious controversy. But shouldn't schools be teaching these kids to be more tolerant, instead of pretending these problems don't exist?
486054
given the above, you probably give sunday school teachers a run for their money. if you actually read the bible, you'll notice alot of loopholes and contradictory statements. christians view these statements as a test of faith.
964317
I think it would be illegal under the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The school board is a public function. Having a prayer or some other religious observance centers out people who believe differently and it could even prejudice the proceedings against them. A person who leaves the room or just looks indifferent during the prayer might not get a fair hearing.
1165147
i think you're a little misinformed. the law just states that they cant make anyone pray, and as a public school (run by the government) they cant belong to any specific denomintation. you can pray all you want and nobody can stop you. \n\nthat way they cant force you to do anything against your beliefs. imagine if your teacher was jewish and made you say jewish prayers in class. well, thats wrong. but for years teachers (mostly christians, the majority religion in the US) lead classes in prayer sessions, and taught things according to their own religious beliefs. but thats not fair to students that are jewish, muslim, atheists, agnostics, taoists, buddhist, etc. thats why they made the law. but, thats not stopping you from praying. you can pray all you like and nobody can stop you, as long as you're still doing your school work, and you're not forcing others to pray with you.\n\nso, the best thing for you to do might be to create an afterschool prayer group. as long as its not during school hours, i bet that you could organize a group of other students with similar beliefs and meet maybe once a week or something, say some prayers, talk about your views, help each other with any issues you want to share, etc. the idea of having it led by a student is a good idea. you could probably do it in the school library or something. good luck!
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.
875795
I consider myself to be a level headed person with rational thought and l have argued this point for years.. Prayer in school is a good thing, the ten commandments in school are a good thing as well.. The only problem l have is when neither of them are in the children's homes..I really don't want my kids educators teaching them how to pray,l feel that if we keep these things in our homes are kids will keep them in their hearts where they belong..
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.