Mandating Religion in Schools

So much for separation of church and state. Up to date, there are now two states which have made putting Christianity in public school classrooms a mandate. Louisiana started with requiring all public schools to post the ten commandments. Florida has now allowed religious chaplains in the schools to provide counseling. Perhaps their republican state legislature believes by adding Christianity in public schools, the results will be students with compassion. Or even, shouldn’t that be the purpose of public education?

What is the purpose of public schools? I always believe it was to allow those who lack the financial requirements to a private school an opportunity for an education. To learn core skills: Mathematics and English Language Arts, as well as History and Science. Other subjects such as Art, Physical Education, Health, and most recently Computer Science have been added to modern educators’ responsibilities. Each subject is designed to create a whole child. Prepare them for their future when they become an adult and offer them guidance on what career would best fit them. Above all these subjects, Social and Emotional Learning has all been adapted in many schools.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has become more important in the world because of the advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As more and more companies rely on AI for productivity, workers need to prove they can be human to their colleagues. Companies are looking for people who have these “soft” emotional human skills. People who can relate and empathize with humans. Unfortunately, when state leaders overlook the importance of SEL, and decide religion needs to be in the classroom instead, you create a culture which may view other religions as inferior, or invalid, to their own. It is similar to the school design before Brown v Board of Education (1952). Replace race with religion.

These states are blatantly showing students Christianity is more acceptable in school than others are. If their lawmakers take it one step further and mandate public school teachers must teach the bible, the ten commandments, or other Christian beliefs (i.e. there is only one God), that’s indoctrination. Are these schools going to allow Buddha’s teachings to be posted on the walls of classrooms? What about the Quran? Will time be allotted for students who practice Hoo Doo, or Wicca, to posts their beliefs in the same classroom? I am sure we all know the answer to those questions: no! While the majority of the student body may be Christians, there are a small percentage of students who are not. Forcing these students to follow a religion against their belief is indoctrination.

What I find hypocritical with these states is, these are the same states which want to put bans on gender affirming health care for children, while promoting the importance of being a faithful Christian. Both Louisiana and Florida are willing to shame their students who know they are assigned the wrong gender, while forcing them to follow a religion they may not believe in or follow. Doesn’t being a Christian mean having compassion and empathy for all people, not only for those who follow the word of God but also for those who don’t as well? Love thy neighbor.

I’m all for religion being taught in school. I am not opposed to having a student read the bible, Quran, the teachings of Buddha, or displaying an array of crystals in class. If a state’s curriculum is to mandate Religion being taught in class, then let’s call it what it should be called: Theology. Forcing one religion over another in the United States should be banned, not a child’s (or parent’s) right to gender-affirming care.