Blog 2-Religion in Schools

The artical "Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up" described a lawyer in Illinois who declined to pass a law that required a moment of silence, a time of prayer or reflection, in schools. District Judge Robert Gettleman claimed that the law violated Constitutional rights of separation between church and state.
Those against the law also believed that it was unconstitutional. Others who were advocates for the law believed that there was no violation of Constitutional rights because children were not forced to pray or reflect.
Although, I understand why this law would upset people, I do not think that passing this law would breach children's Constitutional rights if children are not forced to pray. I completed my methods class in college teaching at a school where the school day began with a moment of silence. Some students prayed, others just put their head on their desks, and some continued with their morning work. To my knowledge, no one had questioned the school or claimed that this practice violoated Constitutional rights.
This artical also discussed how people in Texas were upset about how teachers would debate the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories. They argued that this was a way for people to slip in creationism. They also believed that there is no weaknesses in Darwin's theory.
I think that it is a good idea for Creationism and Darwinism to be discussed and debated is a good idea. It can give students the opportunity for students who are indifferent about the subject to choose what they believe. It also gives students who already have their mind made up to have the opportunity to understand both sides of the issue. This kind of activity would also be a good way to incorporate critical thinking skills into the classroom.
As desctibed in the artical "Library of Congress Artifact" Billy and Lillian Gobitas were expelled from school for not saluting the American flag. Their religion was Jehova's Witness, and they claimed that pledging the flag was against their beliefs. The Watchtower Society of Jehova's Witnesses sued.
My father is in the Army and has fought for our country. I hold the highest respect for those who have served in the military, and I hold deep respect for our country and the American flag. However, even though it might offend me, I could never force a child to pledge the flag, just like I could not force them to pray. I think it is rediculous that those two students were expelled from school. I believe this act did breach their Constitutional rights of freedom of speech and religion.
In my own classroom, I would encourage for the students to stand up, put their hand over their heart and say the pledge. However, if I knew that this violated their beliefs, I would respect that. As long as children are not disrupting the rest of the class during the pledge, children have the right not to say it.

http://www.hughlafollette.com/papers/freedom.of.religion.and.children.htm