What is your personal opinion on kids trying to spread religion in public schools?
920142
Separation of church and state means that religion is not forced upon you, it does not mean that religion is illegal.  If some kids want to pray, let them.  If they talk about their religion, it's the same as talking about sports, music, fashion, whatever.  They have the right, and you have the right to listen or not, as you wish.
820518
Everyone deserves information.  The purpose of school is to educate, after all.\n\nAnd you really should be taught religion by someone who has actually studied it.  Literature and Humanities teachers usually have entire libraries detailing Christianity, Islam, Sumerian gods, and hundreds of other religions.\n\nBesides, a lot of children only learn religion from one source:  their families.  That's very nice, but learning religion from your family has a couple of flaws:\n1.  Usually a religion stresses that other religions are wrong (especially monotheistic religions).  As such, parents are less willing to teach other religions.  The most information a child gets is, "That religion is wrong."  \n2.  Most family members are not qualified to teach about other religions.  That's like asking your father to teach you Calculus when he can't even multiply fractions.\n\nSo, learning religions from family members can often be counter to education.  At least in school, there is someone who is learned in these topics--in theory; there is always the risk of a teacher with a hidden agenda.\n\nI support teaching various religions in school.  It's as useful as teaching literature.  No, it won't get you a job necessarily, but it does enrich the person as he learns many viewpoints.\n\nEdit:  I see some people are confusing religion with morality--a common mistake.  I support schools teaching about religions, but it's up to the parents to teach about morals.  If the parents are amoral, then we can hope that the peers can correct the child's misconceptions.
634819
I know exactly what your saying!\n\nthey would never stop a muslim or budist or gay people from talking about there beliefs or praying in school. But when it comes to chritians it's a big deal! it's become a different kinda persicution they might not be killing us but they still don't let us talk and acted freely about our beliefs!
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.
309307
No.\n\nReligion should be taught by families and in churches, temples, mosques, etc. \n\nWhile I would like my children to have strong morals, faith and belief, I also want my children to have as much knowledge as possible. \n\nIn public schools, a comparative religions class is perfect (and necessary, I believe). Everyone should have a firm and accurate understanding of other religions (what they blieve, some traditions, explanations, how they are different and most imporantly how they are similar). Telling children which is religion is best or right, however, is not acceptable. Parents and Guardians have the right to raise their children as they see fit, but children also have the right to choose the religion they believe is best for them.\n\nWhat should be taught in public schools are things like reading, writing, arithmetic, history, language, philosophy, and science. Children go to school to gain knowledge (including knowledge of religion, for exmaple, in a comparative religions class), not to gain faith. I won't trust others to teach faith (and one cannot truly teach faith) to my children, and I don't think most people should. Not in a public school anyway.
198144
The only evil I see is from those who want to force their beliefs on everyone else.\n\nWhat do you mean by "let him in our schools?" What are you referring to?\n\nPrayer in school? Intelligent Design? The pledge?\n\nIf you're referring to prayer in school, I recommend checking out this site: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/church-state/prayer.html\n\nIf you're referring to ID, I recommend checking out this site: http://www.talkdesign.org\n\nAnd if you're referring to the pledge...\n\npledge: A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something. (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/pledge)\n\n...well, I just can't see how one would want to force young and impressionable children to "pledge" themselves to anything, let alone under a god they or their parents might not even believe in.\n\nTheists often think that just because they're the majority, they're the only ones who matter. They're wrong.
554562
Perhaps they should first make it easier for adults to read, since adults have made hundreds of religions out of it, presumably because they don't understand it (or maybe because they don't want to practice what it preaches).\nIt does seem kind of merciless to force it onto kids before they are old enough to discern the nonsense in it. Some will end up believing nonsense for the rest of their lives, but others will discover the truth, but will be forever angry that others tried to deceive them when they were children and innocent.
946452
A couple thoughts without reading your link...\n\n1) you are going to a religious school\n2) you are shoving your religion down other peoples throats and causing conflict\n\nI'm not being sarcastic but am honestly & seriously trying to give you some brainstorms.  There are probably other options.
499798
Yes, but not with the intention of forwarding the cause of any religion in particular.  It is important to understand the backgrounds of people around the world, because in the US the people from around the world live in our neighborhoods.  I'm all for broadening the views of our society.  I do not, however, favor the teaching of things like Creationism in science classes.  I think that if religion is to be taught it should be taught in the context of religious history.
91197
To answer this question is to resolve FIRST the issue: Is evolution part of a religious belief? If so then it should be banned from public school.\n\nIMHO, it is the opposite of creationism--also a religious belief. In other words both evolution and creationism are religious beliefs. The former being espoused by aetheists, and the latter by bible-believing people. This being the case, both should be banned from being taught in public school to STRICTLY observe the First Amendment. I understand that the core of this amendment is that the State should not favor (or dis-favor) one religious belief over another.\n\nBut, banning the teaching of evolution in public schools is not practical. It will not help children develop analytical minds. On the other hand, teaching evolution while at the same time banning the teaching of creationism is like teaching children that they use only their left hands and not their right hands.\n\nCommon sense and fairness calls for public schools to teach both Evolution and Creation. Let children develop their minds free from bias.\n\nSome on this site will insist that Evolution is not a religious belief it is a theory. But, you are only  playing with words. Would you also agree if someone will say that creationism is not a religious belief but a theory? \n-------------------------------------\nBTW, please read carefully the replies of Zac and the Marker. Their comments just proved my contention that evolution is really a religious belief--disguised as theory.\n---------------------------------------------------------\nwith kind regards.
674986
religion doesn't belong in school
578657
If they teach in a religious institution, then yes.  If they teach in a public institution, no.  If they teach in a private school, then they should act in accordance with the school policy.\n\nI have a very simple rule for answering these questions.  I substitute Satanism in for religion and see how I respond since that is also a religion.  Do I want a teacher in a public school talking about his or her devil worship?  No.  Therefore, no to all religious talk in public schools.
1150489
I dislike it.  It promotes segregation and negativity.  I would prefer a "Say yes to Education" or something of the like.  Because only through education can we stop these religious fanatics from strapping bombs to their waists and running into large crowds. Education will boost self esteem which will finally help us rid ourselves of the need of organized religion.
229059
Never school.  Creationists should be very careful of this Pandora's Box!  I'm a teacher who very carefully does not teach morals, and gives  a very balanced view of religions when asked, directing them back to their parents when I can.\nIf you make me teach Creationism, I will also teach the other twenty-five creation stories I know of varous cultures and learn more to boot!  When school becomes the teaching of religious ideas rather than scientific theory because people don't understand that scientists (for the most part) don't consider any of their ideas about questioning and doubt, especially Evolution (since we can't time travel yet), then it is time for our children to be taught ALL religions and belief systems rather than let one dominate.  I strongly suggest that the people who understand religion, and those who understand science, stand up and speak against the people who have made religion into a mockery of science, and science a mockery of religion.  Those who try to force religion into the form of a theory, and those who try to push evolution as a proof that religion is wrong (rather than just an incomplete, but useful theory based on the best scientific evidence we presently have), are very deluded and must be faced with those of us who understand religion, science, or both, combining our efforts to speak our peace.  We know the two aren't at war.  It's those trying to crush the other that are, and there are far more of us than of them.\nDon't silence them.  Just put their numbers, and arguments, in perspective.
383578
Hmm... I don't really think there is a war against Christians in public school. The christians in my school were allowed to pray and they even have an afternoon school prayer group. \n\nMost people think that the government made prayer in schools illegal but in reality you can still pray in schools. They just didn't make it mandatory for people to pray in school which is good because in public school there are a variety of people with a variety of religions and that should be respected.
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..
964817
Educate their children.  \n\nWe're doing that now, and it's only a matter of time.  I quite honestly see the end of religion within the next 100 years.\n\nRichard Dawkins was saying something similar just the other day.  I think it was in the Washington Post.  He is of the opinion that the majority of educated people in the US, even those that attend church, are really atheist/agnostic.  They just don't put much thought into it, and/or don't want to admit it, due to the social stigma surrounding it.\n\nI think that's entirely plausible.  But regardless, as our children recieve better education, and the generations continue to grow intellectually, eventually, people will simply be too embarrassed to continue to believe in a god.