Exploring Religion in Public Schools: Academic vs. Religious Freedom

This essay delves into the multifaceted debate surrounding the presence and role of religion in public schools, tracing its historical roots and legal battles, particularly concerning the First Amendment. It examines the arguments for and against religious practices in schools, highlighting the potential for abuse, lack of teacher training, and the complexities of teaching religious history accurately and objectively. The essay also acknowledges the academic benefits of studying religion, such as providing a comprehensive understanding of its impact on literature, history, and culture, as well as fostering character traits like courage and civility. It concludes that while religious education should be permitted in public schools, its implementation must be carefully regulated to meet educational standards, promote interfaith harmony, and maintain neutrality, emphasizing that the approach taken by schools is crucial for success. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study resources for students.

Running head: Religion in Public School 1
Religion in Public School
Name
Institution

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Introduction
The debate on religion in classrooms is by no chance current phenomena, it is has been
ongoing over many centuries. Given the development of public school system in America,
controversy rose concerning the position of religious values and beliefs that took in children of
various faiths. For some communities, the debate led to bitter conflicts and arguments. In
Philadelphia for instance, extreme riots and bloodshed was witnessed in the 1840s because of the
divided opinions on which version of the bible could be utilized in classes for classroom
devotions. While absence of public appeal for classes about religion took dominance, criticism of
absence of such teachings steered California and some other states to include such teachings in
their system. Several religious activists blamed the court for having misunderstood the First
Amendment to remove everything on religion from classrooms.
In the case Engel vs. Vitale, a landmark case, the United States Supreme Court ruled that
it was unconstitutional for public officers to constitute an approved school prayer and inspire its
presentations in public schools. It was subsequently held that the government-initiative prayer in
public schools violated the establishment clause of the first amendment.
Religious practices should be prohibited in public schools because: There is a high
chance of potential abuse given that very few school districts have approved religious classes in
their curriculum. There is no harmony on what should be taught among the educators. Teaching
religious practices is questionable given that it is composed of religious wars, persecution,
sacrilege trials, terrorism and the fact that some Christians used the bible to justify slavery
(Fraser, 1999). All this would have negative impacts on the children and should be avoided at all

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cost. Some will fail to teach about religion with adequate accuracy, objectivity and balance hence
they should not teach at all. Few teachers are properly trained to teach about religion. The United
States Supreme Court declared its decision on the government-mandated prayer, religious
devotions and bible reading as inappropriate for public schools.
The academic benefits of studying about religion includes the completeness that religion
education offers giving the students the opportunity to explore on the impact of religion on
literature, history and culture at large. Studying religious education also imparts various
character traits on students such as courage, honesty, sportsmanship and civility hence giving
them a sense of belonging.
Students should be permitted to practice religion in school including having religion
clubs and private prayers because: students have the right to discuss their religious views without
fear, they can also conduct prayers as long as they are not disruptive. Comparative religion and
history of religion are permitted in schools as long as their approach aids in the educational
objectivity (Curry, 2001). Justice Clark once said the place of religion in our society is a
dignified one and therefore should be respected. Religious clubs in schools should be allowed to
meet and subsequently have equal access to school media to announce their meetings if the same
is done for other clubs. Students are entitled to expressing their religious beliefs in the form of
artwork, reports and homework in line with the assignment’s requirements. The Supreme Court
held that public schools can teach about religion as long as it is done in conformity with
academic requirements, neutral and balanced.

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Conclusion
Religious education should be allowed in public schools. However, its implementation
should be regulated to ensure that it meets the standards of educational requirements and this
shall entirely depend on the approaches used by schools. There should be interfaith harmony in
schools and keeping religious issues in public schools neutral.

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References
Curry, T. J. (2001). Farewell to Christendom: The Future of Church and State in America.
Oxford University Press. New York, United States
Fraser, J.W. (1999). Between Church and State: Religion and Public Education in a
Multicultural America. St. Martin's Press. New York, United States.