Religious Expression in Public Schools

Today I wrote an article to the Lufkin Daily News of Lufkin, TX. I lived there for four years and it is an area that is considered Bible Belt territory. Someone wrote an article mocking parents for desiring religion to have a place of existence in the public school arena. The image on the right showed that editors had difficulty recently identifying photos of president candidates with the names McCain and Obama.

A response to "Atheists should teach Bible class" By Louis W. Cable. Sunday, December 07, 2008
It is nice for the Lufkin Daily News to allow a letter to appear in response to a nine month old editorial article. As far as atheists teaching the Bible, this occurs all the time. Every day in public schools, the Bible is demythologized in front of children of Christian parents. We all know that the Bible as a textbook will not be required in public schools. Perhaps a few school districts are allowing elective Religion courses to be offered, but the Bible, Koran, Talmud, and other religious books are a threat to Humanism. Humanism and Evolution are the only mantras allowed which I debate are religious beliefs.

The intrinsic nature of humanity craves to know about it's existence and public schools attempt to answer this interest through evolution theory and Humanism. I remember the Christian gathering in my High School before classes began. I remember how good it was to recognize with others a God designed order in Creation and moral absolutes. As with any organization there has to be rules and guidelines, but where does this authority come from? Society only who is lead by corrupt politics? My strong opinion is that religion and from my experience Judo-Christianity is the best moral reference.
Public teachers are some of the most dedicated and stressed workers in North America. Religious elective courses and Bible clubs before and after schools are great ways students can recognize morality on a level that Humanism cannot compete. The problem in North America’s public schools is not religion but a lack of moral authority.

Those students who demonstrate respect to authority are what teacher’s desire in setting examples for other students. Peaceful religion tolerated even on a limited level is a great way of achieving this result. When this takes place academic excellence along, with peacefulness will prevail.