Teaching Religion in America's Public Schools: A Necessary Disruption

Bible Department Gender Issues: A Study of Ohio Christian High School Bible Departments

“…Many of the early American colonists came to the New World with the desire to practice their religious and moral beli efs (Algera & Sink, 2002). lJ1itially, religious education was the primary purpose for early American schools, and these schools were under the control of the community churches (Passe & Willox, 2009 (Jeynes, 2009;Watson, 2010;Vhight, 1999). These events helped lead to the secularization of public schools; and, as a result, there was a move for the privati za tion of religious, Christian schools (\Vatson, 201 0).…”

The observed behavioural effects of a universal social-emotional learning program in an elementary school setting

“…The ROAR values reflected the faith community of the school especially in the Rejoice value. The presence and involvement of the pastor as well as the acknowledgement of a faith value by the families mirrored the findings of Passe and Willox (2009) that the inclusion of religion in schools in a well-planned effort may lead to a stronger society, one in which religious differences are understood, appreciated, and even celebrated. The students' decision to incorporate the faith-based values of respect, acceptance, optimism, and rejoice echo the acceptance of multiculturalism and diverse religious backgrounds Passe and Willox identified in faith-based schools.…”

“…Additional family members in a household could potentially create a drain on finances , interfere with parenting, and create conflict potentially resulting in less parentchild time which is crucial to child development and behaviour (Gershoff, 2013 (Feinberg, 2013). Passe and Willox (2009) argue that teaching religion in public school should be mandatory in the United States despite the separation of church and state, especially with the noted influx in religious animosity since 9/11. In public schools, religion can be taught as part of the social studies curriculum thereby teaching children about religion and promoting tolerance while minimizing ignorance of other faiths as the current state of public schools leave students religiously ignorant (Feinberg, 2013).…”

“…In public schools, religion can be taught as part of the social studies curriculum thereby teaching children about religion and promoting tolerance while minimizing ignorance of other faiths as the current state of public schools leave students religiously ignorant (Feinberg, 2013). Children who have been exposed to forms of religious teaching are more likely to be accepting of diversity and multiculturalism (Passe & Willox, 2009). Advocates for the integration of religion in schools argue that religion in schools is so important that specific religious courses should be mandatory and, in some cases, take precedence over mandatory mathematics classes (Feinberg, 2013).…”

“…The goal in the mandatory instruction of religion in public schools in these cases would work toward the goal of the development of responsible, active citizens. In addition, the inclusion of religion in schools in a well-planned effort may lead to a stronger society, one in which religious differences are understood, appreciated, and even celebrated (Passe & Willox, 2009). Children in faith-based schools, especially those which are not exclusively comprised of students from one specific religious background, have the privilege of being immersed in such an environment that promotes inclusion and acceptance of others and demonstrates low tolerance for exclusion.…”