Pop Quiz about God: Religion in the Public School System Essay

One of the fundamental influences on childhood development is the religion the child is raised into. Religion has been engrained into American culture since its inception. However, religion has decayed in modern day America, and this fear of a Godless America has encouraged some people to desire religion be taught in public education. â€Å"For better and for worse, religious convictions play a central role in shaping events in America and throughout the world.† (Haynes, 9) Even though religion teaches morals, the importance of community, and many people credit their religion for their success, the belief of separation of church and state is a valid argument. What is the role of religion in a child’s life when it comes to schooling? Religion cannot be taught in the American public school system. Spirituality has always had a special contribution in every society and in every culture. However, many societies today have an increasing number of atheists. The atheist belief is simply that there is no God of any kind. This conviction frightens people of many different religions because they believe a person without God is a person without religion. In their minds without religion a person does not have morals. This fallacy that a person needs God to be moral is the reason why people fear that America is on a declining spiral. Although, it can be said that many people today are less moral than in past generations, the easy target to attack is the rise in atheism. However, the real culprit is religious ignorance. â€Å"The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released the first nationwide survey of American religious knowledge, based on interviews with 3,412 adults who answered 32 questions on the Bible and the world's religions. Not surprising... ...ls: A Joint Statement of Current Law. Apr. 1995. Web. 26 Apr. 2012. . Sealey, John A. Religion in Schools: A Philosophical Examination. Vol. 9. [Lund]: CWK Gleerup, 1982. Print. Studia Philosophiae Religionis. Simpson, Kevin. "Federal Guidelines for Religious Expression in Public Schools." Religion in Public Schools. 24 Apr. 200. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. . VanderMey, Randall, Verne Meyer, John V. Rys, Patrick Sebranek, William Coyle, and Joe Law. The Glendale College Writer and Research Guide. 3rd ed. Mason: Cengage, 2009. Print. Zhao, Emmeline. "Arizona Proposal To Teach 'Bible' In Public Schools Becomes Law." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 19 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. .