Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
[i]Students may be taught about religion, but public schools may not teach religion. As the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly said, "t might well be said that one's education is not complete without a study of comparative religion, or the history of religion and its relationship to the advancement of civilization." It would be difficult to teach art, music, literature and most social studies without considering religious influences.
The history of religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other scripture)-as-literature (either as a separate course or within some other existing course), are all permissible public school subjects.
Teaching the history of religion is not teaching religious values.
There's the difference.
If creationism is to be mentioned in classrooms, it should be mentioned like this:
"SOme people may disagree that evolution exists, and believe in alternative theories, but as modern science is based upon evolution, you are here to learn evolution".
And yes, I do believe that we should fail people for not learning evolution.
I don't know any Christians that worship a leather bound book. The words inside speak life to us and allow us to know and get closer to the God we do worship.
You worship a book by claiming it's the Word of God. Only Jesus has that title. The Bible is not inerrant or God's only revelation, despite your belief that it is.
Quote:
We are citizens and knowing the 1st Amendment, we can't stop someone from speaking and having their right to do it any more than the government can. So, it applies to both citizens and government.
No it doesn't. The 1st Amendment only applies to actions by the government. Any private citizen or business can violate the 1st Amendment all they want. That's why you can get fired for back talking to your boss.
And isn't it also disrespect of you to think that you can only have your view in a classroom, because that is, after all, your view? It goes both ways. Texas settled that and teaches both views.
Not if it's a violation of the Constitution. In that case, other views cannot be respected.
It is if Perry becomes POTUS. For the life of me I still don't know why a secessionist would want to be POTUS.
His point on secession is that Texas is a free and independent state. His exact quote would be:
"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."
Most Texans joke about secession. Gov. Perry is no different. We are set up pretty well though - our own electricity grid, oil, plenty of water and land.
No, states canNOT do that, not since the SUpreme Court made the first amendment apply to ALL levels of government.
The ACLU says nothing about state-run churches in that, as it's merely about religion in public schools.
And as far as I can tell, we aren't generally arguing that religion doesn't belong in schools, just that it cannot be mandated, and it's just stupid to put non-science in a science classroom.
Separation of church and state appear no where in the Constitution. The frist amendment simply says they can not ESTABLISH one
Teaching the history of religion is not teaching religious values.
I'd say teaching the bible as literature, would be teaching religious values, why else would you do it?
The history of religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other scripture)-as-literature (either as a separate course or within some other existing course), are all permissible public school subjects.
"The 'establishment of religion' clause of the First Amendment means at least this: Neither a state nor the Federal Government can set up a church. Neither can pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions or prefer one religion over another. Neither can force nor influence a person to go to or to remain away from church against his will or force him to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion. No person can be punished for entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs, for church attendance or non-attendance. No tax in any amount, large or small, can be levied to support any religious activities or institutions, whatever they may be called, or whatever form they may adopt to teach or practice religion. Neither a state nor the Federal Government can, openly or secretly, participate in the affairs of any religious organizations or groups and vice versa. In the words of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by law was intended to erect 'a wall of separation between Church and State.'" 330 U.S. 1, 15-16.
My hope is that Perry is a genuine believing Christian and not just playing the role to get the evangelical vote. We need God on our side in this nation.
I'd say teaching the bible as literature, would be teaching religious values
THere's a difference between
"Read this quote from the Bible. Now do you see why Billy and Joey can't touch each other?"
And
"Read this quote from the Bible. Interpret the quote in your own words, and give what you think the quote means".
You can easily teach the Bible, which does have its influence in a whole host of classical literature, without teaching religious values.
You don't learn the value of eating people and using their skin as clothes by reading "A Modest Proposal", do you?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
