The Controversy of Posting the Ten Commandments in School
October 1st, 1997-A 16-year-old in Pearl Mississippi is accused of going to Pearl High School and shooting nine students. Two die. Dec 1st, 1997-Three students are killed and five injured as a 14-year-old opens fire at s prayer circle in the hallway at Heat High School, West Paducah Kentucky. March 24th 1998-Four students and a teacher shot to death during a false fire alarm at Westside Middle School in Jonesboro Arkansas. April 20th, 1999-15 people die in the largest school shooting ever students Eric Harris Dylan Klebold shoot fellow students and themselves. With all these catastrophes occurring our confused nation questions why are these terrible things occurring? Yet while these questions are being pondered the law forbids a public school to hang the Ten Commandments? Schools should be allowed to post the Ten Commandments. Not only would these terrible crimes be decreased, but also morality could be brought into our Nation once again.
One reason the Ten Commandments should be posted is that the government has never passed a law implementing a separation of Church and State. Amendment 1 in the Bill of Rights states the following: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." This Amendment does not even suggest the Separation of Church and State. The phrase, "Establishment of Religion", means that Congress could not set one Christian religion above another or establish a national church like the Emperors and Kings had done throughout the years. The two phrases, "Establishment of Religion", and "Separation of Church and State", are not comparable or compatible. They are two totally different ideas. Also when any individual even fathoms the concept of separation of Church and State does this idea even exist? Most of our forefathers were Well-read, intelligent, Christian men: If they had wanted to say Separation of Church and State they would have, because the notion was not a new one (Fallwell). When one actually thinks about it they will see that this country and constitution were not based on Freedom from religion but freedom of religion. Our very constitution is based on Christianity. " The Constitution of the United States, for instance, is a marvelous document for self-government by Christian people.
Concerning the nature of myths, one can often find that they are built on broad generalization lacking the premises necessary to make a solid conclusion. Such was the same myths, Pier Larson sought to disprove in his essay “The Student’s ‘Ten Commandments’.” Larson discuss damaging and caustic stereotypes that have worked their way throughout history to create a narrative that often subordinates Blacks when promulgated by a more affluent European society . One myth in particular appears to be quite troubling for its contradictory nature-that being the myth: all Africans are Black. Additionally, to be African is to be Black, Africans are not culturally diverse, and that Africans share one, essentially unified culture. Not only do I find these troubling for their outright abasement of African culture, which is plain to see, but rather for the duplicitous logic that lead to the creation of such myths, and why they remain so harmful when they are continued to be spread in contemporary.
A popular notion among many religious conservatives is the rejection of what is commonly referred to as the separation between church and state. They maintain the United States was founded by leaders who endorsed Christian principles as the cornerstone of American democracy, and that the First Amendment prohibition against government establishment was not intended to remove religion from public life. As a result, a number of disputes have made their way through to the courts, pitting those ready to defend the wall of separation, against those who would tear it down. Two recent cases have brought this battle to the forefront of political debate. The first involves an Alabama Supreme Court justice, who, in defiance of a Federal judge, fought the removal of a granite display of the Ten Commandments from the rotunda of the state courthouse. Also, a California man has challenged the constitutionality of the phrase “under God” in an upcoming Supreme Court case involving student recitation of the pledge of allegiance.
"In October 1997, a 16-year old in Pearl, Mississippi, first killed his mother and then went to school and shot nine students, two fatally; in December 1997 a 14-year old went to his school in West Paducah, Kentucky, killed three students and wounded five others; in March last year, two boys, aged eleven and thirteen, killed four girls and a teacher outside their school in Jonesboro, Arkansas; the next month a science teacher was shot dead, allegedly by a 14-year old, at a school dance in Edinsboro, Pennsylvania; last May in Fayetteville, Tennessee, an 18-year old student allegedly shot dead a classmate in the school car park; two days later, in Springfield, Oregon, a 15-year old opened fire at his high school, killing two teenagers and wounding more than twenty (police later found that his parents had been killed at home) ("Lesson"). On April 20th of this year, two teenagers enter their school and open fire, killing 12 students and one teacher before taking their own lives.
The first reason I am against the postings is that it creates a state-endorsed religion. A state-endorsed religion is where a government that while it does not make one religion law it still bases a majority of its laws on secular views. If the US Government were allowed to post the Ten Commandments in all its institutions than what is to stop them from enforcing these religious laws that have been posted? Sure there are many commandments that are already law, “thou shalt not steal, though shall not commit murder.” These are laws that everyone should live by but what of “Thou shalt have no other gods before me?” This is the second commandment and as such it is very clearly a statement against other religious views. If this were allowed to be posted by government officials and if it influences our youth in schools in any way than by definition America will have created a state-endorsed religion which is in direct conflict with religious freedom.
Prayer has been banished from schools and the ACLU rampages to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. Moreover, “Separation of Church and State” is nowhere found in the Constitution or any other founding legislation. Our forefathers would never countenance the restrictions on religion exacted today." -- Bill Flax, Forbes, 2011. Church and State seem to be two words that are entirely inseparable from each other.
The history of school shootings has shown an increase in mass school shooting. The very first known school shooting in the United States occurred on July 26, 1764 in present-day Greencastle, Pennsylvania. As part of the Pontiac's Rebellion, four Lenape Native Americans entered the school house and started shooting, killing the schoolmaster Enoch Brown and about nine students. Only two students survived the massacre (“History”). Since the 1700s the United States society has changed in many ways. Schools have become more than just one room school houses and each grade has its own teacher. Furthermore, the problem of school shootings has not decreased but rather increased over the years. On the one hand, reports from the Centers for Disease Control showed that in general school violence decreased from 1992 to 200...
In today’s society of “political correctness”, many issues arise between the interests of the many interests groups of the nation. One of the issues that continue to generate heated debate is the displaying of the Ten Commandments and other religious documents on government property. The issue of the Ten Commandments is one of the most heated discussions on the local and national stage today. Although there are many groups and individuals opposed to the displaying of the Ten Commandments and other religious objects as a violation against the separation of church and state and against the 1st amendment which is freedom of religion, the question asked by many others is; should religious objects including the Ten Commandments be permissible on government property? The answer is, yes, it should be. By law, according to history, and first amendment rights not being violated, the simple legality of the issue is without a doubt, a non-debatable issue.
On April 16th, 2007 Cho had created one of the most deadly school shootings in America. ( "Virginia Tech Shootings Fast Facts." CNN.) It was unfathomable to think that in the close future, America would encounter many more detrimental school shootings. This is including the shooting of elementary students in Newtown, CT where Adam Lanza had shot and killed 27 children and faculty. Lanza had been known to have significant health issues that had kept him from living a normal life. (Sanchez, Ray, Chelsea J. Carter in Atlanta, Yon Pomrenze in New York, and The CNN New York Bureau Staff. ) Both of these shooters had killed themselves shortly after their attacks. School violence has become a nation-wide issue.
When the Constitution was submitted to the American public, many people complained the document had slighted God, for it contained "no recognition of his mercies to us ...or even of his existence." Religion was left out of the Constitution for two reasons: first, many delegates were committed federalists, who believed that the power to legislate on religion, if it existed at all, lay within the domain of the state, not the national, governments; second, the delegates believed that it would be a deliberate mistake to introduce such a politically controversial issue as religion into the Constitution. The only "religious clause" in the document--the proscription of religious tests as qualifications for federal office in Article Six--was intended to defuse controversy by disarming potential critics who might claim religious discrimination in eligibility for public office.
Countless individuals across the world are fighting for: freedom, religious convictions and more commonly for their children future. The devastating attack that had happened in Sandy Brook Elementary School in America that led to few deaths and injuries of youths. Which makes individuals question is educational institutes even a safe place for children. Additionally, there are more shootings in America compared to other nations as Gopink states “ United States has more gun violence than other countries because we have more guns and are willing to sell them to madmen who want to kill people.”(Gopinak, 2007, p. 458 ). This demonstrates that United States is just not inclined to take any action on gun control which is leading to deaths of children and adults. Some individuals believe handguns are not needed in American 's society. Then those who oppose gun control argue guns are a necessity to: hunting in the wild, self-defense, and it is part of the American culture. Furthermore, gun violence is having a vast impact on loved ones; losing a family member can have enormous affect socially, physical and mentally.
The Pledge of Allegiance has become a major issue for students, teachers, parents and lawmakers. The original intention of the pledge was not to stir up trouble, but for a celebration of Christopher Columbus discovery of the new world. The pledge is no longer thought of as a celebration, but an infringement on children's religious beliefs. Do you believe that children's rights are being infringed on? Some people believe that the pledge is a great honor for our country. It has shown, and provided us with great pride just like our American flag. The Pledge of Allegiance being recited in the public school system does not infringe on the students religious beliefs, but is a way for us to honor our country and everything that we have done to get to this point in history.
"God help, I'm so lost!" If you listen carefully, this is a common thought that is heard throughout many schools in the nation. Is this thought appropriate? The following statement clearly shows that the law allows students and adults to practice religion, but at the same time be respective of others and their beliefs even if they do believe or if they don't. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or to petition the government for a redress of grievances." (First Amendment, The Constitution of the United States). Prayer is not normally permitted as a scheduled part of classroom activities, because it would result in the violation of the principle of church-state separation, which has been defined by court interpretations of the 1st Amendment to the U.S, Constitution. The separation principle is extended to Public school as an arm of the government, with an exception which can be permitted if, during the school year, a mixture of prayers, statements, etc are delivered, using material derived from a number of different religions and secular sources. So far, this has never been tried in a school or ruled upon by a court (Religion in Public).
There are many different types of school violence. The one that gets the most public attention is school shootings. The term school shooting is basically defined as an act where a student, school staff member, or intruder from the outside commits an act on the school campus. One of the most well known school shootings took place at Columbine High School near Littleton, Colorado. On a Tuesday April 20,1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, students at Columbine High School, took the lives of thirteen other students before taking the lives of their own. When we think of events like this, we have many questions that go through our mind. Thoughts like why did this happen, could it have been prevented, and how did impact the individuals involved just to name a few. There are probably several more thoughts that go through the minds of a nation when we hear about traumatic evens such as a school shooting.
The next reason I think it should be moved is for the very reason that it is in a public courthouse. Yes, the first amendment does protect Freedom of Religion but whose religion? It doesn’t state any religion, whether the religion is Christianity, Buddhism, or paganism. Each and every one of us is entitled to the freedom of our own religion. This is a public courthouse where people of all religions come for justice. So another reason why it should be moved is because someone who comes to the courthouse might be offended by the Ten Commandments because they are of another religion.
Do the Ten Commandments apply the world we live in today? Billy Graham put it this way “The Ten Commandments are just as valid today as when God gave them to Moses over 3,000 years ago. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law” (Matthew 5:18),” Billy Graham. Every passing day it seems christianity becomes more and more meaningless. Keeping the ten commandments is necessary for Christianity. Each commandment is translatable to the world we live in today.