The article I read was called "Classroom compromise offered for evolutionists, creationists". (URL: http://www.cnn.com/US/9911/14/school.church/index.html?eref=sitesearch )
This article was about the fighting between Christians and evolutionists about teaching religion as an alternative in public schools, and the middle path that brings a compromise to both parties. The article discusses a "middle path" that Christian religious groups have proposed as an alternative to only teaching religion in public schools or not teaching it at all. It is a medium between the two extremes. According to the proposed idea of teaching religion as an alternative in public schools, the teachers/educators would have to follow rules ensuring that the learning is educational, not taught as historic fact, and a variety of interpretations of the bible. This however brings forth serious cultural problems. Apart from this being against our Amendment that separates church and state, the teaching of Christianity in schools completely denies that America is a mix of people from many different religions. America is a multicultural place and choosing Christianity to be taught in the public schooling system is not fair to the American citizens who raise thier children by other religions and respect keeping it to themselves and thier own religious communities. A spokesperson for this "middle path" alternative, Charles Haynes, says "Treat religion with fairness and respect. Keep the government neutral in matters of religion, not promoting religion or denigrating it." I don't agree with his arguement, because if you treat religion with fairness and respect, you're treating all religions that way, not just Christianity. Teaching one religion in schools is not fair to other people's religions either. By not teaching any religion in classrooms at all and leaving it up to the family, you are neither promoting a specific religion or denigrating any religion.
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I completely agree with everything you said in your writing. Like you said, the Christian leaders all talk about treating religion with fairness, but fair to whom. I am Jewish, and if I got to school one day and my teacher started teaching about the bible, I would have a big problem with it. It’s not fair to the other religions to only teach Christianity in public schools. The best way to keep it fair is to keep it out. By keeping our constitution intact and separating church and state, we allow for fairness to everyone. We allow for everyone to learn what they personally want to learn, we won’t need to force religion on them. If they want religion in schools, that’s fine, then they can create their own private schools were religion is taught. (136)
I agree with you on your point. I do not think that religion should be taught in public schools because it’s not necessary to do so, there are other places you can go to learn about your religion and it does not have to be in the school hours. If I was in school and a teacher busted out a curriculum on religion I would leave I do not believe it is appropriate. If I wanted to learn about religion in school I would go to a private school. (88)
I think the argument to teach religion in schools in an interesting debate. I agree with your comments that there are many different religions in America and that singling out Christianity as the religion to teach is unfair to those who don’t consider themselves part of that religion. I agree that by not teaching religion in schools is probably the fairest solution, and those who are looking to learn more about their faith can seek the knowledge from other sources. This argument brings up another point, and that is the argument regarding teaching evolution in the public school system. If we are not allowing religion to be taught in schools, does that mean that evolution shouldn’t be taught as well? (121)
This is a topic that frustrates me the more I read about it. In my opinion, the fundamentalist Christians are kindred spirits to the fundamentalist Muslims. Their attitude that their beliefs are the only correct ones are pervasive, and if an attempt is made to curtail their influence, they cry that their rights are being violated, that they're not being allowed to practice their religion. However, they would raise a hew and cry if I, for example, were to lobby to have my pagan beliefs taught in public schools. The influence they wield with the current administration is horrifying, and reaches to all levels. The faith-based initiatives, granting federal monies to religious organizations is scandalous in that they favor main-stream religious groups. There should definitely be a strict separation of church and state.
Forgot my word count on my response...(133)
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