should teachers be able to display religious symbols or slogans in their classrooms?
554192
Depends on the school and the nature of the symbol / display.\n\nIf a public school, the teacher should be able to wear religious symbols, and have personal religious items in their personal space (i.e. their desks, offices, etc.). They have the right to freely practice their religion, and this does not infringe upon others' rights.\n\nIf the class is about religions & religious philosophies, then as appropriate to the discussion and subject.\n\nBut a teacher should not turn their non-religious subject classroom into a religious billboard. That would be wrong.\n\nBut too much religious intolerance is being allowed. You have no right to prevent others from practicing their religion, or displaying their religious symbols in their own space.
903215
No, because it's not right for teachers to influence students to believe what they believe.  Also, if a teacher was, say, Buddhist, and a student was say, Christian, or if the teacher was, say Democratic, and she talked about how she felt about the President, it might upset the student that the teacher is so different and that might be what they focus on instead of learning from the teacher.  We tend to look down on people who's religions are different, and if a student looks down at a teacher, how's he or she going to learn anything?  If the student is mad at what the teacher said to attack the President, wouldn't that take away from the concentration on the lesson?\n\nMy social studies teacher said that his goal was to not let anyone find out what he believes, if anything, or his political party, if he has one.That way, we will only judge him as an intelligent teacher instead of what he believes.
185117
Students can already pray to themselves. I do not think it would be wise for a school official, which is a government paid employee (thus making them an agent of the government). Unless they could pray something that would be universal to all people (which this seems unlikely) it would undoubtably show favor towards one religion and this violates the first amendment.\n\nAs a Hindu, I would be very unhappy to have my children being led at graduation, assemblys, etc, to prayers that are not within my religious tradition. It is the role of the parent to teach the religion, the role of the parent to practice it in the home, and the role of the houses of worship to assist the parents...not schools. \n\nI mean, can you even imagine a prayer that is all inclusive:\n\n"Thank you"\n\nI mean, what else could you say. You cannot start saying a name, every religion and sect, etc has a different name for the divine and you cannot directly even state whether there is a divine anything since this violates the religious freedom of those who are either not sure of the existence of divinity or outright do not believe in it. You cannot state scriptures or anything else. \n\nSo my answer remains no.
634819
I know exactly what your saying!\n\nthey would never stop a muslim or budist or gay people from talking about there beliefs or praying in school. But when it comes to chritians it's a big deal! it's become a different kinda persicution they might not be killing us but they still don't let us talk and acted freely about our beliefs!
604570
I am sure you don't want a real answer to this question but one that simply reinforces your own views. However, the purpose of our schools is not to glorify Christ or any other religion. Religion is a personal matter to be taught in the home.
111574
Kids can still pray in school.  They just can't be forced to, and they're not given a designated time to do it during the school day.  If prayer were forbidden in school, I would never get through a day of teaching!  I find it sad that moments of silence have been removed from schools b/c it's nice to have a small moment at the beginning of the day to collect your thoughts, pray, or zone out.  Nothing can stop a person from having a personal relationship with God.
579324
Yes, in our democratic society, it is hard.  One of the founding principles in this country is the separation of church and state.  One argument in favor of prayer in schools is that studies show that prayer, meditation, or some other form of silent reflection help people to focus and stay on task, and as a teacher, I can testify (no pun intended) that staying on task is one of the hardest things any student can be asked to do.  \n\nHow can we justify prayer in schools, though?  That's a real toughie.  You could allow for "moments of self-reflection" or set aside time for journal writing (many schools have DEAR time-- Drop Everything And Read-- when students must devote 30 minutes to reading at the end of the school day).  But if you call that moment of silence "prayer time" you are treading on thin ice.  No one can force anyone to pray.  It cannot be mandatory.  Nor would a true Christian want someone to be mandated to pray, because God wants people to come to Him freely.
428907
Yes, I think all religious books should be within reach, even those we don't necessarily agree with. If nothing else, it is a teaching tool and could offer some help in building tolerance between religions.\nNot to mention it is a great way to get rid of the stereotypes and rumors common within every religion.
1082459
They've banned major religious symbols in general, I believe, in places such as public schools and government buildings. So a Jewish man can't wear a kippah, Christians can't wear giant crosses, etc. And I think it's to help prevent discrimination in the work place, but I disagree.
9746
No. You have misinterpreted the situation.\n\nNo one, not even we die-hard atheists believe that the discussion of god or gods should be taken out of the schools. These myths are of historic importance and some of them continue to shape policy in the world today.\n\nWhat we take umbrage with is prayer or sanctioned religious observance in *public* schools. \n\nFrankly, though, taking your question at face value, I think that almost everyone would have a problem with a school administration that asked or forced students into taking part in sacrifices to Zeus. To step back, that is pretty much how we feel about Jehovah.
45368
Whether you are a student or a teacher, you have the right to read the Bible in public schools. However, you cannot, force your views on others nor can you use the Bible to teach religion. You cannot, if you are a teacher, force a student to read the Bible. You can also pray in public schools, again, as long as you do not force others to participate. You cannot hold a public assembly that involves religion. Sad but true.
878862
Under what circumstances?  The answer is likely "no," but the body of law dealing with the "Establishment Clause" of the First Amendment (known by most people as the "separation of church and state") is extremely fact specific and under a greate deal of flux right now.\nIf it's explicitly Christian religious music, ordered to be played by school officials (and not the students) in front of a mandatory meeting of the student body, it's probably not constitutional (that would be an "endorsement" of religion, or "coercion" to a particular religion).  However, a slight change in any one of those facts changes the analysis.  \nFurther, the fact that you're talking about a university, and not a junior high or high school (where students are expected to follow orders, listen to their teachers, and have not had a well-developed analytical mind) makes a HUGE difference.  Generally, religious clubs, discussions, demonstrations, etc., are tolerated (and perhaps encouraged) at this level (although I'd say that a school-mandated prayer at graduation would probably still be unconstitutional).
1032239
Depending on where you live, religion might be a choice or enforced. I agree to a point with what you are saying but, if people were to simply filter out and use ONLY the morality, spirituality and common sense religion CAN teach one, then I say teach away. Unfortunately the belief in the intangable is rampant even in this modern day and age.
603160
If they only taught "Facts" in school then there would be little to go on.  \n\nHistory is a subjective (not objective) area of study.\n\nScience itself believes in no absolutes, resolving that there is no proven theories, only those that are unproven as of yet.\n\nI could go on, but to answer the actual question I would say that as long as there is balance in the text, it would actually improve the way we look at others.  \n\nI for one would love it if my Religion were represented more respectfully than the way we see it on TV or read about in the papers.  The same goes for Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindu's, etc.  If we represented the religion the way it was INTENDED, we'd probably find out we're not all that different.
586678
Religion is not taught in schools.  We have separation of church and state, meaning that you have freedom of religion and the government won't force a belief on you.  That's why religion is not taught in school.
55643
I'd rather we didn't force our students to pledge their allegiance to anything.  that is the domain of Fascists.  But if we must, I'd prefer children thought more about the Constitution than the flag.\n\nAs for "under God", it was added 60 years after the pledge was first written, by religious zealots that specifically wanted a prayer. And the last I checked, "Godly principles" were all about Kings, something our gov't was specifically designed to prevent.  Unless there is some portion of the Bible you can cite that supports a Gov't not run by a King, shutup about your "Godly" nonsense.
1001276
YES!!! If the Under God part offends anyone, then they have the right NOT to say it.  I can remember being in class with kids who didn't say it for religious or personal reasons.  NO ONE said anything mean to them or made fun of them.  We asked them why & they gave us their reasons.  It was fine with everyone.