God in Public School SHOULD NOT be Subject to Federal Government Decision-Making, but Rather a Decision Made at the State Level
Navigating the Intersection of Church and State in the Classroom
In 1962, the United States Supreme Court made a controversial decision in the case of Engel v. Vitale, ruling that prayer in public schools violated the First Amendment's establishment clause (which prohibits the government from establishing a national religion), marking the beginning of the removal of God and religious practices from schools across the country. However, the consequences of this decision have had far-reaching adverse effects on our society.
From a Christian perspective, the removal of God from schools has had a detrimental impact on the moral fabric of our nation. As Christian author and pastor John MacArthur states, "When you remove God from the equation, you remove the foundation for morality and ethical behavior." Without a moral compass rooted in faith, students are left to make decisions based solely on their own desires and impulses, leading to an increase in behavior such as bullying, drug use, and violence. It is also noted since prayer was removed from public school classrooms, we have had a significant increase in violent crime, divorce rates, single motherhood, and suicide among teenagers, and SAT scores also had a considerable decline.
Secular sources also recognize the benefits of incorporating religion and spirituality into education. A few different studies conducted over the years (one of which was by Harvard Graduate School of Education) found that students who participated in religious activities showed lower rates of substance abuse, depression, and risky behavior. Additionally, a National School Climate Center report found that schools that promote a positive moral and ethical environment, often rooted in religious teachings, have higher academic achievement and lower rates of discipline issues.
The decision to remove God from schools was based on the principle of separation of church and state, as outlined in the First Amendment. However, many argue that this interpretation has been taken too far, resulting in excluding all forms of religious expression from public institutions. As President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a devout Christian, warned in a speech in 1954, "Without God, there could be no American form of government, nor American way of life." He understood that by removing God from schools, we risk losing the very foundation upon which our nation was built. And we see the negative aftermath of this decision every day.
In recent years, a controversial dogma known as Gender Ideology, part of an "unconfirmed" religious cult, has gained prominence, particularly in public schools where it has been introduced to students without the knowledge of many parents. Now, Louisiana seeks to reintroduce religious values into the classroom by displaying the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
Many will argue the importance of separating church and state even though this phrase never appears in our Constitution. The phrase "separation of church and state" originated in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802. In the letter, Jefferson, then President of the United States, explained his belief in the principle of religious freedom and the importance of keeping the institutions of government and religion separate from one another. This understanding of the separation of church and state has since become a fundamental principle in American constitutional law.
To allow biblical references or prayer in schools is not a matter for the government to decide but rather a decision the state should make. I support the idea of school choice, as every parent should have the right to choose the best educational environment for their child. Just as a Christian, Muslim, or Jewish parent may choose to homeschool or enroll their child in a private institution that aligns with their values, an atheist parent should also have the freedom to make that choice if their beliefs are not being respected in the public school system. In Louisiana, where most of the population identifies as Christian, it is not unreasonable for schools to display biblical references.
Is this a justification to promote pornographic material in schools, something I have vehemently opposed? Absolutely not! We must restore common sense to our nation and prioritize consistency.
Sources:
John MacArthur, "Reclaiming the Culture: Encouraging Involvement in Public Life," Christian Post, accessed October 1, 2021.
Harvard Graduate School of Education, "Religion, Spirituality and Positive Youth Development," Harvard Family Research Project, accessed October 1, 2021.
National School Climate Center, "Positive School Climate and Effective Schools," NSCC Report, accessed October 1, 2021.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, "Address at the American Legion Convention in Miami Beach, Florida," August 28, 1954.)
Jefferson Writes Of Church-State Separation – Annenberg Classroom. https://www.annenbergclassroom.org/timeline_event/jefferson-writes-church-state-separation/