Religion and Schools: The Debate Heats Up 2009
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-education/2009/1/22/religion-in-schools-debate-heats-up.html
Library of Congress Artifact
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/AMALL:@field(DOCID+@lit(mcc/016))
In the “Debate Heats Up” article, a moment of silence is questioned regarding the separation of church and state, while in the LoC Artifact the issue of personal freedom of speech and religion is the hot topic. This seems to be the two sides of the same coin. Either we have separation of church and state and nothing remotely religious is allowed or it is allowed under personal freedoms. It seems to me that it all depends on the language of the case.
I was surprised that all students were required to say the pledge. Not all students are citizens; I don’t believe this is a requirement for public school education. I know in our school that we ask for everyone to participate but we do have friends that do not based on religious beliefs. I have a hard time when students just don’t want to, does that fall under freedom of speech or just defiance.
I am not sure how a moment of silence is considered religious. Yes, a student may pray if they would like but they can also just sit still and not talk during that time. Shouldn’t we encourage our student to take a minute to just stop and think. Many of our students have a hard time just “being” even if only for a few minutes. This should not be a bad thing.
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When I was taking school law, the way the moment of silence is presented is what makes it religious in nature sometimes. When you say "bow your head for a moment of silence" it has become religous. If you merely stae we weill now observe a moment of silence, it is not religous and legal. You can enforce silence during this time.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point in the "all or nothing" statement. I never thought of it that way!
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