Opinion | Should religion be taught in public schools?
Editoral: As featured in volume 112, issue 4 of The Collegian.
Religion being taught in public schools is a controversial topic that has continued to pop up in the news. In Oklahoma, where I am from, this has been a huge topic of conversation with the current State Superintendent.
Going to a public school myself, we did not cover religious events in history nor was it forced in the classrooms. Teachers did not share their religious views and we did not share ours. Of course, living in the Bible Belt meant that most of us were Christian and would pray before games as a team, engage in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and pray at the flag at the beginning of every year. Those all being volunteer events, run by the local churches.
With this being said, what is too far? Should classrooms implement the Ten Commandments? Should teachers discuss their religious views?
My answer is no. Students should be free to believe and practice their own religious cultures in the classroom, but it should not be forced upon them by administrators. The separation of Church and State keeps schools from incorporating such religious beliefs in the classroom. At my high school, we had a moment of silence which allowed for students to pray, meditate, or reflect which I believe fulfills that need for religious incorporation in schools.
Another aspect to consider is students who do not affiliate with religion should not be forced to believe in one. In order to allow students to feel a sense of belonging to a particular religion, schools could have religious clubs on their campus. This is one way that students can practice their religion or find a religion that they want to learn more about, without pressuring students to practice one that goes against their family or moral beliefs.
Attending a Mennonite college has shown me how important religion is and how interesting it is to study religions different from mine and how it has affected American history, but it simply can not be properly expressed in public schools. Culture is important to students and can be studied in the classroom as a part of history and other world studies.
Teachers should be able to teach awareness of religion, but shouldn’t press for acceptance of religion. Students should be able to ask questions and understand more about religions with a trusted adult without the cost of dedicating class time to influencing others on a particular belief.
Other states have been active in this conversation, such as Texas and Florida. The former signed a bill to allow schools to hire religious counselors. The latter allows a day of prayer in public schools. The right to religious freedom is included in the First Amendment, however, public schools should not be pressing for one religion, like adding the Ten Commandments in the classroom.