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

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

2. 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?

3. Steven G. Humphries ED 503: Instructional Technology Mississippi University for Women Dr. Holden, Instructor Religion in Public Schools

4. 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

5. 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*

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. “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

10. 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

11. “Let’s Praise Him in the schools……”