Monday November 2, 2009, 4:29 pm
I've wondered...other than countries politically and socially controlled by extremist religions, what are the experiences outside the U.S.? Are schools in other countries also at the receiving end of this "love/hate relationship" the article describes? I know how our public schools here have to deal with Fundamentalist's agendas such as banning books in our libraries. I'm an educator. We have a generally conservative society; but, I had thought the Fundamentalist-Evangelical influence was largely regional. Is the U.S. moving even more to the Right? I think that is a real problem. That thought sends chills up my back.

Monday November 2, 2009, 5:26 pm
Personally, I do not feel religion can be taught in schools that are meant to be public schools. Even if teachers received formal training in the subject, each individual teacher would by design of subconsciously promote their own religious belief over other religions or the belief in no religions. There is also the question of who would train the teachers in the first place? Would the inconsistencies in the bible be examined and a determination of which story was right be made? Anyone who has studied the bible in any detail knows there are two creation stories. Another question that arises is in what grade do you begin examining the bible? There are parts of the bible that are not suitable for high school classes let alone grade school. The bible contains just about every form of perversion known to humans; sex, incest, homosexuality, infidelity, bigamy, adultery, lust, betrayal, murder, slavery, human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, assassination, genocide, wars, the wanton destruction of entire cities along with their populations, and the list goes on and on and on and at some point in the bible each and every one of these things are either condoned by god or demanded by him or he commits the act himself. The next question is whose bible do you use to teach these religious classes? Do you use all of them? The different versions of the Christian bibles alone would be overwhelming for most students and that doesn’t even consider the various versions of all the other religions. Our forefathers knew what they were doing when they decided to keep religion and state separate.

Monday November 2, 2009, 7:25 pm
It would be a fine day in school when children learn about all different kinds of religions/history of it and the fact that there are people who do not follow any religons at all.
Public schools should not allow any preaching at all.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 7:05 am
Separation of Church and State...

United States Constitution Amendment 1. FIRST Amendment, meaning you read that first before any and all other amendments, yet it is the one that is violated the most, in g-d we trust on our money, under g-d in our pledge, all of the law or government buildings showing some kind of Christian related g-d sayings or bible laws...

Keep your g-d out of my STATE RAN PUBLIC SCHOOL. It isn't all that hard really... There are plenty of places for g-d and all the g-d like stuff to be taught or talked about, it is not morally acceptable to make those who are not Christian to be forced into following and being taught about a Christian g-d.

If this school wishes to be able to use bible verses for their football games, make them change their school to a privately funded christian/catholic school, for it is an American PUBLIC school and by law is not to show favor to any one g-d, g-ddess.

They even admit they wouldn't want the verses from the Qur'an or show Buddhist enlightening messages, only Christian and only the christain right messages...
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“As a Christian I would not have liked it if they had used verses from the Quran, and if I had known about it, I probably would not have approved of them doing so,” Principal Jerry Ransom told ESPN.com. “That’s the basis of the court’s ruling…. If you allow Christian verses then you have to allow Buddhist, or Jewish and everything else. And to be perfectly honest with you, that would have been a problem here. The issue for us is about freedom of expression of Christianity.”

Ransom also displayed a cavalier attitude toward the rights of members of other faiths at the school.

“I’m not naïve enough to believe everyone in the school are Christians,” he said. “I would like them to be because I believe that’s what’s best, but you can’t force anyone to believe what you believe.”
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Noted Tierney.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 10:12 am
Being home schooled I havent really thought much about this issue. If I was in public school though I would rather have the option to learn about all the different kinds of religions than to be preached at by someone telling me there is only one right way to be.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 10:47 am
Does not belong in schools..

Thanks Tierney..

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 11:17 am
Nancy...I'm with you and others here. As a retired educator, religion has no place in our school system. With the variety of religions and belief systems in this country, we don't have the time or wherewithall to teach it all. And which one is correct? Our schools should be teaching a curriculum for careers and personal development. Religion should be left to the churches.

I have no doubt religion will eventually be removed from public schools.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 12:29 pm
thanks tierney

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 1:38 pm
if christians could experience what it's like to be in the minority, things would be different.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 10:46 pm
I absolutley agreeChurch and State should be seperate. One thing though The Bible happens to be my Church since I have no faith in man (Fathers, Preachers, Popes, etc.) Yes the bible does have those things that Ralph Sutton talkes about but it is only in the contect of teaching it is wrong. It does not condone it. And God does not do it at times as implied.

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 10:52 pm
I also forgot to add some of those Christians or Religious right are some of the worst hypocrites. In the Bible Jesus says when you pray, do it quietly and to yourself, do not shout it out to let people know you are praying. Outside they are so religious but inside they are bigots and hate mongers.

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 3:08 am
All religions preach to do good, but for most people when the sermon is finished, the devil returns.

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 4:33 am
Thannxxx.. one must remember that since God was kicked out of schools and homes.. our teenagers have become rebellious and immoral in a lot of ways... The word states that one should bring their children up in the way of the Lord they would never stray.. I can see a great difference between my friends kids who are born again christians and those that are not... I would rather allow them to put up their banners and if one does not like this... just be tolerant asa they would towards your beliefs

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 5:59 am
G-d was kicked out of schools and HOMES? And that is the reason our youth is less moral today??? Excuses but I think that is just ignorant to say...

Religion and its practice is at an all time high. Those who say they do not go to church is higher, but it is the same number as it always was for the question of, do you think or believe in a g-d.

There is NO SUCH THING AS RELIGION AND TOLERANCE.. As the last poster admit, just be tolerant of the Christian Right having bible verses stating their right religion is the only one to be followed. Tolerate the fact this same religious right has re-written the bible, yet again, because they said what little teachings that are from Jesus in the bible are to "liberal".

I and everyone else has to be tolerant of their religion, all the while they spit on everyone not their religion???

I think not.

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 6:17 am
When I was in high school in the 90's I would bring my Bible to school. I would read it during study Hall and or quiet time. I did not preach nor share my beliefs. I am sure that if Christian children goes to public schools they can still bring thier Bibles and read it but not during class hours. Those that got in trouble over the years and still gets in trouble sharing Jesus is because they are doing it during class hours or time. I have respect for all religions now then ever before and I lived among the religions right community and I seen how bad they are become. Just this passed weekend on Halloween one Church or a few in the south held book burnings and cd burnings and had a bar b que on top of that. I think it is so wrong to be very judgmental. God is the only Judge.

Thursday November 5, 2009, 8:39 am
And did you know Karrie, that one of them scheduled book burnings, in one of the Carolinas, were burning bibles? Apparently the Preacher of that one church was burning parts of the bible he and I repeat, HE disagreed with.

You are right, you can take your bible with you where ever you go, but when it conflicts with your school or jobs rules and regulations is when it turns into being wrong or seeing as being forced onto a whole.

Saturday November 7, 2009, 6:18 pm
There is no group more arrogant than Christians DEMANDING their "right" to shove their faith into the faces of everyone else.