EDUC 2110-Lesson 11:
Religion in Schools
Overview Viewpoint:
Lesson 11 of education 2110 focuses on the right and wrongs of presenting religion in a classroom. To answer the questions we had to read two seperate articles by Susan Black and Lottie Joiner. This lesson teachers you that its okay to teach students about religions but not try to persuade them to a religion. This lesson shows you how important it is to know right from wrong. With not presenting the right thing in the correct way it could actually lead you into trouble.
Question #1
In the Susan Black article, what are some examples of "unconstitutional instruction?" Do you agree with these guidelines? Why or why not?
Some examples of unconstitutional instruction would be assuming all students are Christians. Not everyone will be. Teachers also shouldn’t teach things from just Christian perspectives without regarding anyone else’s religion. Making students mesmerize bible verses is also unconstitutional. I have to agree with the unconstitutional instructions. Not everyone is a Christian so you can’t just teach Christian things. I feel like things should be taught from many different religions.
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Question #2
In the Susan Black article, what is legally permissible with respect to teaching about religion?
Teachers are allowed to cover religion when teaching about holidays. They may use scripters to teach about the religion. Teachers are allowed to celebrate the religions but may not promote the religion. Teachers may teach values from religions but they should be based from the moral codes that hold a community together. Teachers may also cover the history and the influences of the religion.
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Question #3
In the Lottie Joiner article, what four points of guidance do court decisions have with respect to the teaching of evolution?
The first thing you must do is learn what is and isnt legal. By doing that you have to talk to the school attorny and curriculum department about it to get the full understanding. Teachers are allowed to legally teach scientific not religious—alternatives to evolution, but there are none. The courts decisions are mostly focused around debates. These debates focuses on if you can teach evolution or religion.
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Question #4
How do you believe the issue of evolution versus intelligent design should be handled in the public school system? Provide some reasons for your position.
I think that both should be taught. Many people have different opinions on it. Some may think that we came from monkeys and others see us being created from their religious views. Example: Adam and Eve was the first on earth. I think it would be easier to mainly teach about the evolution and then give a little lesson on the other theories.
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Summary
Religion can sometimes be complex when teaching it to students. Teachers should always have in mind that not every student has the same religion as them. A teacher almost must not think that a student worships a god or Jesus because they may not. There will always be two different arguments on how human life has started. I think both should be taught.
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Research Question
Should the pledge of allegiance “under god” part be said in school?
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/04/us/massachusetts-pledge-of-allegiance/index.htmlb
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Research Analysis
People have debated about the pledge of allegiance being said in schools for years. There are even some states who don’t require students to say it. Most of the controversy that the pledge does get is because of it saying “Under God.” Many people who have been against it said that the pledge of allegiance isn’t even legal because it does say “under god”. Schools are not supposed to do things from under Christian perspectives for example because not everyone worships a god. Many feel that it’s unconstitutional and is a waste of class time.
Those who are support of it say since the country was founded on Christianity it’s ok. Many people have their different viewpoints when it comes to the “under god” part. Many feel that it is a historical reminder of what the country went through. Many feel that since it say “under god” that includes all gods. The pledge of allegiance will be the American way to many people.
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Research Summary
Many people have different opinions on the pledge of allegiance “under god” part. Many question of what god that they are talking about. In response many say it’s Christianity and that is where it get controversial because not everyone is a Christian. I personally have and won’t ever have a problem saying the pledge. Me being a Christian I proudly say it. I do however can see why some might be against it being in schools.