Prayer and Religion in the Public Schools

The prayer and faith in the public schools was written by David Ackerman and analyses if faith should be taken to schools or not. The author states that all the applications on religion mainly aim at instructing learners the role of education in social, literary, cultural, and historic developments and they can be incorporated in school curriculum. The author, however, states that ‘these spiritual programs have to instill respect and tolerance for the pluralist society” when arguing religion in this setting, it has to be conversed in a factual, balanced, objective, and impartial manner. I agree with this author when he states that religion has to instill discipline and tolerance; this is important in respect all other societal groups.Haynes, C., & Thomas, O. (1995). From Battleground to Common Ground: Taking Religious LibertySeriouslyin Public Schools. Religion & Education, 22(2), 12-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15507394.1995.11000802 This journal was written by Charles Haynes and Oliver Thomas. In the journal, the author remains neutral on the matter of teaching education in schools. The author states that religious programs ought to teach students about the core elements of democracy and freedom. According to this author “teachers should never denigrate or promote any religion in general (Haynes & Thomas, 1995. P. 17).” Teachers should not in any sense interject their views or even advocate those of other students. The teacher should remain sensitive and never try to interfere with the religious beliefs of students. According to this author all the lessons must remain objective and secular. The classes that relate to education should be optional so that those students who do not follow that religion do not feel pressured to subscribe to a certain religious doctrine. I agree with this author's point of view religion should only be used as a tool of knowledge and appreciation of the countries religion diversity and national culture. If that is not the intention of religious studies, then they should not be taught at all. Schools should teach secular values such as good citizenship, kindness, courage, respect for other and honesty; these values shouldn’t be taught as religious tenets. Nord, W. (2011). Does God Make a Difference? Taking Religion Seriously in Our Schools and Universities: An Excerpt. Religion & Education, 38(1), 3-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15507394.2011.544998 Warren Nord is the writer of this journal. Nord states that it remains right to initiate religious lessons in the classroom but it should be done in a manner that is secular and neutral. The author notes that parents, teachers, school administrators and teachers should recognize the integral danger bringing arguments that deal with religion in the classroom. The author states that teachers in public schools should make sure that if religion is practiced then the greatest care must be taken to discuss about all religions without discrimination. The inclusion of major religions in the school curriculum doesn’t reflect the actual religion diversity in the word and our society. The author points out that no learner should be judged based on religion. I agree with this author discussion of students in the classroom has the potential of alienating those students who have other religious beliefs. Everyone’s beliefs ought to be respected. If this is not taken into consideration students might feel pressured. The teacher should never try to disapprove other faiths as it can lead to alienation of those student raised with different faiths. Merino, N. (2012). Religion in schools. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.Religion in Classroom is a book that was written by Noel Moreno. In this book, the author states a classroom is a place to impose any form of religious belief. The author states that a classroom is no place for being exposed to someone else formula and religion. Other people's religious beliefs shouldn’t be forced on other people especially students. According to this order, religion should be overflow in the government funded education. When education is brought into the classroom, more controversy is created, this is because many officials do not know about people’s religions very well. To be taught religious means to learn about its faiths and belief so as to understand it. “A school is no place where more dispute to do with education can be made aimlessly (Merino, 2012, P. 9).” the more people teach religion in institutions the more people start making arguments on whether it is false or true. Children shouldn't be driven into certain forms of arguments that they cannot handle efficiently. I agree with this author’s argument the introduction of religious arguments in schools can lead to other arguments that can’t be avoided and thus it should be imposed on students.Russo, C. (2012). Religion in schools. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.Religion in Schools is a book that was written by Charles Russo; this author disagrees with the point of taking religion to the classroom. In this book, the author states that "religion should be left to the churches (Russo, 2012, P. 42).” the author furthermore states that students are already insecure about what they believe in and some of them are still confused about what to believe in. Religions should, therefore, be left in homes and churches and not in schools. The author highlight that prohibiting teaching in schools will make sure that the state does not indorse or advance the religious beliefs over the non-religious beliefs. I agree with this author schools should ensure that schools must do what they can to make sure they do not disapprove or endorse any religion. ReferencesAckerman, D. (2001). Prayer and religion in the public schools. New York: Novena Books.Haynes, C., & Thomas, O. (1995). From Battleground to Common Ground: Taking Religious LibertySeriouslyin Public Schools. Religion & Education, 22(2), 12-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15507394.1995.11000802Merino, N. (2012). Religion in schools. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.Nord, W. (2011). Does God Make a Difference? Taking Religion Seriously in Our Schools and Universities: An Excerpt. Religion & Education, 38(1), 3-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15507394.2011.544998Russo, C. (2012). Religion in schools. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: SAGE Publications.