Charger Features
How the other half views religionOrin Christanson & Josh Mattingly, Charger Staff
“In past issues of the Charger, specifically “Why don’t people look the other way?” I was greatly offended that Christianity was supposed to take precedence over other religions, and that these other religions were treated as inferior to Christianity.” Part of the greatness of CHS is the diversity among students. There are many different religions and denominations at our school. Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Mormons, Catholics, Protestants, Atheists, Agnostics, Wiccans, and many others all gather here to take advantage of a free public education. What happens when the educating body, or federal government for that matter, sponsors one religion over another? A primarily Christian student body is promoted, alienating the minority population, and resulting in student persecution. Christian Elizabeth Harmann says, “...I do not believe public schools should be labeled with a specific religion...” If the school were to sponsor school prayer, those who chose not to participate would be discriminated against, simply because they are different. Jamie Jernigan, a Wiccan, commented, “I don’t think God should be allowed in school, because not everybody believes in God.” The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of
America guarantees every American the freedom of religion as well
as freedom from religion. The 1786 act for establishing religious
freedom decrees, As president Thomas Jefferson stated in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Church in Connecticut, “...legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between church and state.” Thomas Jefferson said this not because he was an atheist, as many people conjectured, but rather, because he understood the necessity of a government based upon secular views. What the people who want a government active in their religion, is that with the government’s involvement, sacred holidays and rituals are trivialized to the point that they become either secular, or meaningless. Evan Paul, a Jew, had this to say, “I think that since the law clearly states that public places to need to be separate from religion, I believe there is no question that school endorsed religion should not be present.” James Madison put it this way “Religion flourishes in greater purity with out, than with the aide of the government.” For example, Christmas has become a commercial circus put on by the retailing giants Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Toys-R-Us, and the like. Furthermore, the phrase “God bless America” has now become a trite expression located on everything from license plates to belt buckles. It is commonly misconstrued that America is a Christian nation. True, it was founded on Christian principles, but nowhere is God or Christianity located in the Constitution. The Treaty of Tripoli, which was approved by the Senate and President John Adams bluntly states that the “…Government of the United States is not in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” America is Christian only in our principles, the same basic principles we share with the Muslims in Saudi Arabia. During the times of Christ, the early Christians realized the necessity of having church and state separate. “But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. They said, ‘This man is persuading people To worship God in ways that is contrary to the law.’ Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, ‘If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.’ And he dismissed them from the tribunal. Then all of them seized Sosthenes, the official of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of these things.” (Acts 18:12-17) In this verse, Gallio refuses the requests of the Jews to enforce their religious teachings by way of the state, and they in turn become infuriated when their policies are not imposed. In their rage they attack a church official, beating him with great vengeance and furious anger. Ample opportunity is provided for individual prayer in school; however, this time should be used by the individual to address his or her personal religious needs, and not to interfere with the practices of others. Time should not be removed from the education experience to tend to these needs. Harrison Ford added, “This is a school, not a church!” CHS is located at the buckle of the Bible belt, a fact predominant in daily high school life; a fact which allows the many to govern the few. A Christian aristocracy which uses the government to support itself to push its views upon others undermines our civil rights and infringes on our religious freedom. Catholic Jaima Jackson agrees, “I don’t care that religion is in school, I just don’t think God should be forced on people in school.” Through the words of past presidents, government documents, and religious doctrine, it has been shown that God has no place within these walls. The South needs to break free of the union between church and state, keeping religious motifs out of government buildings such as schools, and welcoming different but new approaches to life’s questions. The student body could also benefit from keeping an open mind, broadening their horizons, and welcoming new ideas. America has entered a new century and it’s time to break free of the traditions held by previous generations, and embrace a more diverse world. Article prepared for web by Michael Elmore. |