“How much about religion is appropriate in the public school curriculum?”

Unit Questions  What effect should a student’s religious beliefs have on what that student is required to learn regarding religion?  Who should make the decision regarding what religious theologies the students should learn?  Should parents have a voice in whether or not religion should be taught in school?

Steven G. Humphries ED 503: Instructional Technology Mississippi University for Women Dr. Holden, Instructor

Overview  A) Religious Tolerance/ Ignorance  B) Arguments to why public education should include religious ideals  C) Teaching about religion  D) Guidelines on religion in public schools  E) Quotes promoting religious tolerance

Religious Tolerance/ Ignorance  Tolerance: to follow other religions w/o discrimination  Religious tolerance: fundamental right in democracy  Noble goal, necessary for world peace  Ignorance: leads to intolerance, bigotry, violence  Ignorance: leads legislation to prefer particular religions  Religion can be incorporated into different school subjects *Religious Tolerance*

Arguments to why Public Education should include religious ideals  Important to religious people  Aids pupil development into liberal democracies  Adult pupil development advanced by religion  Religious ideals give Christians their identity  Sunday isn’t only day for religion  Religious tolerance is forced; violence decreases

Teaching About Religion  Church & state don’t prohibit teaching  States strive to understand religious traditions  Neither promotes nor detracts from ideology  Teachers may neither encourage nor discourage  Public schools may teach about holidays  May teach how religion shaped the U.S.

Guidelines on Religion in the Schools  Students may pray individually or collectively  Prayer can’t be mandated at certain ceremonies  Students can express beliefs in assignments  Students can distribute religious literature  Students can opt-out of activities  The Equal Access Act

“Quotes” Promoting Religious Tolerance  " Religious tolerance is not religious indifference. It consists of valuing the right of another person to hold beliefs that you know absolutely, and without a doubt, to be wrong.“ ANONYMOUS  "Religious tolerance means to refrain from discriminating against others who follow a different religious path. Tolerance is more difficult to maintain when you know that your religion is true and their religion is wrong.“ ANONYMOUS

Summary  Religion helps students learn tolerance.  The world will be a better place.  Opens students to different societal beliefs.  Students learn the history of the U.S.  Promotes harmony, peace, & economic progress  Allows students to think critically

“Let’s Praise Him in the schools……”