DISCUSSION 1 Source 1 Davis, Kenneth C., “America’s True History of Religious Tolerance,” Smithsonian Magazine, October 2010. Kenneth C. Davis is an American historian. He has written many historical books but is best known for his “Don’t Know Much About…” historical series. He has lectured at museums including the Smithsonian Museum and the American Museum of Natural Science. He has also been published in The New York Times, Newsday and other publications.…
In Stephen Prothero’s Religious Literacy, the author gives us an insight into the controversy of teaching religion in United States’ public schools. Prothero’s premise is that we as a nation of supposed religious citizens are actually lacking in any real knowledge of the core teachings of the many world religions, “I am convinced that one needs to know something about the world’s religion in order to be truly educated”(Prothero 11). Is this lack of religious knowledge at the core of the intolerance that is so pervasive in our nation and threatens to continually drive us apart? At the core of Prothero’s book is that we all need religious literacy in order to truly be effective citizens, and being effective citizens we must realize that religion…
America: the land of the free and home of the brave. However, Stephen Prothero, author of Religious Literacy, might describe it as the land of the religious and home of the religious illiterates. Prothero begins his compelling case with the opening statement of Americans today being both “deeply religious and profoundly ignorant about religion” (Prothero 1). Throughout his book, it is transparent that Prothero fervently believes that religion matters- it is an essential factor of culture, played a fundamental role throughout history, and should no longer be neglected in the classroom. While the United States is one of the most religious places in the world, it is also a nation of surprising religious illiteracy.…
The Federalist paper of 2007 is empathetic to the post modern view where students should develop an understanding of, and concern for, stewardship of the natural environment, and the knowledge and skills to contribute to ecologically sustainable development, whereby education can promote ‘social cohesion by giving students the skills to relate their own values with the experience of others’ (Federalist paper, 2007). However they simply did not integrate the small phrase ‘greater religious tolerance’ into the curriculum. ACARA would argue that this might be covered in the CCP however it is left up to the teacher that is required to have an awareness of their own values and the impact of these values on their understanding. While this is sympathetic to pedagogical lines of inquiry if as stated in the ‘Historical understanding ‘The discipline of history constrains the practitioner from imposing personal preferences on the evidence but all meaningful historical accounts involve explicit or implicit moral judgment if a teacher has humanistic worldview they can express this however…
Comparing and Contrasting Views on Religion in Public Schools Introduction The argument of whether or not religious activities should be permitted in public schools has been a controversial and polarizing topic among many students, teachers, parents, and government officials. Some conservative people believe that schools should allow religious teachings in the classroom as well as prayer in school activities such as sporting events or major school ceremonies. They believe in encouraging freedom of religion in public schools and that students will benefit greatly from being exposed to faith and religion. Some liberal people, in contrast, do not believe it is necessary for students to be involved with anything relating to religion at school.…
Rush Limbaugh has nothing to do with Engel v Vitale, the Red Scare or religions’ proper place in the educational system in the 1960s, but this quote describes exactly what permeated the minds of Americans at the time. It was conservatives against liberals, the United States against the Soviets, religion against secularism, First Amendment activists against anti-Communist crusaders and so on. Freedom from an established religion and the ability to freely exercise any religion of your choosing are cornerstones of American democracy. It has long been debated what exactly constitutes an established religion or what constitutes prohibiting free exercise of religion, but government protest and individualism are also tenants of the American view of…
Many Christians contribute the moral decline of our country to the fact that the Supreme Court mandated prayer in school was unconstitutional fifty years ago. Is it time to put God back in public schools? Adam Hamilton addresses this topic in his article “Put God Back in Public Schools?” first on his blog and then published in the Huffington Post, a liberal-oriented news source, in 2013. Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing churches in the country.…
Is religion always indirectly involved in government or is it the backbone of their operations? When New England was established, religion was the base of every decisions that was taken, additionally, it acted as the foundation of every law and legislation that was applied by it. The government established was originally intended to serve the church of the puritans, therefore also supporting their morals and values. Puritan ideas influenced the colony's government obliging it to generate laws that benefited puritans, it shaped the economic system implementing solidarity and equality between people accompanied with an obligation towards contributing to the church, and on top of that it modified the colonies social structure and classes.…
Provisional Title “In God We Trust: Freedom Religion in Public Schools” This title was chosen to examine and understand the extent in which teachers and students can express their beliefs, and the extent to which schools allow religion to be tolerated. I chose the title “In God We Trust” because it is the official motto of the United States, yet it directly correlate’s with the controversy of separation of church and state. As an American citizen we have the right to freedom of religion, but the constitution is vague in what extent freedom of religion is acceptable.…
Religion could be found in every corner of the world. It dictates what we eat, how we look, what we do or don’t do, and the morals we believe. For a lot of us religion is a big part of our lives and this could be seen in our government. Since the birth of the United States, religion has played a big part in our society, lawmaking, and culture. The U.S is a Christian based country and its morals have dictated a lot of laws.…
We live in a different time now with lightning fast internet and with social media anyone can instantly know what is going on around us, so it is easy for some Americans to get offended. The question on many minds is do the offended have a right to complain where religion is concerned. Many Americans feel the need to complain about Christians declaring one’s beliefs, and speaking to the public about them. Others complain about traditional religious holidays such as Christmas. As a Christian one is taught to be forgiving, but the religious teachings may give non-Christians more fuel for their complaints.…
American culture is influenced with a variety of different and controversial ways that impact our daily lives. Easily, one benefit that certainly helps this country’s freedom nature has to be the freedom of religion. Without a doubt, the history of mankind has been through countless wars among all types of people. Religion has been a cause of war in the past and still is, to this day, with the likes of Islamic terrorist attacks. For example, the 9/11 attacks were caused by religious beliefs and devastated the US morally.…
In the United States, the straightforward of strict literacy unfolded in this exertion is with for the series. Schools must be viewpoint neuter as well in fingering requests by external (no-sap) groups beseech to make employment of tutor facilities after the conclusion of the school day. The biggest principle for this deviation is usual ignorance about Constitutional law and its implications for religion in public schools. The only federal attract to consider the body has found that “intelligent design” is along creationism by another name. Another far held misconception is that public university have “dit denomination” or that tutor must be “monotheism free band.”…
My proposal topic for this particular assignment is based around chapter 6 in our textbook. Should religion be allowed in public school system? I want to research the opinion of societies view in America when it comes to religion in schools. What effects it can have on society if the public school system didn’t educate the younger generation on the aspects of religion. History is important and I believe religion is just as important to teach in schools as the history of…
Religion plays a huge role in our daily lives. Rather your religious practice is Judaism, Christianity, Amish, Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, etc., religion seems to shape minds and have a part of every society. “Over the past 100,000 years, no group of people anywhere on earth have been found that did not practice some type of religion (Haviland, 2011)” In researching religion, I’ve found that most religions work towards positive change within its members, in return brings positive change in society.…