Religious Freedom For Public Schools

In the Constitution, it says that Congress will not make a law respecting an establishment of religion or one that restricts the free exercise of it. If Congress cannot uphold or restrict religion, should our schools be able to? Schools allow too much religious freedom for their students and restrict nonreligious students by allowing religious students several exceptions to various rules. These exceptions can infuriate parents and students alike. Expressing religion in schools is unnecessary and can cause tension; therefore, it should not be permitted in public schools.

Religion in public schools is unnecessary. It provides a conflicting viewpoint with certain subjects and separates some students based on a simple thing such as heritage. Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists Inc., says, “While federal and other guidelines [placed upon students regarding religion] may be technically correct, we have found that religious groups often interpret their tone and content selectively, seeing a ‘green light’ for numerous practices, some of which are constitutionally suspect” (Johnson). Open expression can create stress for the teachers who may have to make exceptions for certain rules or allow their students to leave class at certain times for religious reasons. Teachers could worry that the student might have lied to them about needing to leave the class for religious reasons and could just be leaving the class. Instead of engaging in active religious expression, the student could simply be skipping class and taking advantage of the opportunity presented to them. Teachers would have to send another student to accompany the presumed religious student to make sure that they are actually carrying out the act that they sai...

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...t” (Nord).

Religious expression in schools can cause problems that could be avoided if it were not allowed. It can also provide unneeded stress on teachers and students alike. Including religious works in school can exclude students with whom it does not apply. Expressing religion in schools can cause tension, is unnecessary, and should not be allowed in public schools. If religious expression was not allowed in public schools, there would be fewer complaints by religious and nonreligious parents and students alike. Students would be able to see each other as who they truly were and not through a biased veil caused by outward religious expression. Teachers would be able to teach to the best of their abilities and include fuller concepts about typically religion focused lessons. School, in general, would improve and the learning experience itself would enhance.