February 24, 2018: Another Term Paper - The Place of Religion in the Public Schools

Introduction to Religion at Park was a two trimester course taught by Dr. Woodbridge O. Johnson. On Friday, February 22, 1963 I wrote in one of my diaries: "I talked with Dr. Johnson about my religion term paper. We chose 'The Place of Religion in the Public Schools.'"

On Saturday, March 16, 1963 I wrote: "I went to the library and got 15 books for my religion paper. I'm glad there was such a good selection."

In the end only I used only three books, published in 1944, 1951 and 1953. The rest of the paper was based on two articles in The Kansas City Star, one in The National Observer, and one in Protestants and Other Americans United, plus a pamphlet published by the Unitarian Universalist Association. Three of these had been published in 1962 and dealt with rulings by the United States Supreme Court on the place of prayer and other religious practices in public schools. The National Observer article, on Bible reading, had appeared in the February 25, 1963 issue.

Because a January 2018 blog update featured the opening pages of "The Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus" this one for February 2018 is the conclusion of "The Place of Religion in the Public Schools."

III. CONCLUSION 

     "The Place of Religion in the Public Schools" has come to be one of the most controversial questions ever to face the American public. The fact that an issue regarding this very topic is presently being debated by the United States Supreme Court indicates the importance of the issue, and its pertinence is also evidenced by the recurring amount of literature on the subject in the past half century especially.

     Also of worthwhile mention is the fact that it appears that this controversial question will remain one. Though hundreds of opinions have been rendered both pro and con as to the place, if any, that religion should take in the public schools, many statements have also been made to the fact that no immediate solution to the problem seems to be in store. But it is likewise an alleged fact that "the Court's decision, expected in late spring, could be one of the most celebrated in the history of American jurisprudence. It could also set off as explosive a reaction as anything seen in the nation in recent years" type of opinion make the issue one of high and pressing concern.

     The Supreme Court has often tackled the problem. Literature concerning the issue continues to be published in increasing amounts. A highly debatable issue, the place of religion in the public schools" often is the topic of panel discussions and debates. It was the topic dealt with in the March 28, 1963 panel discussion at Park composed of a Catholic college professor, a Jewish rabbi, and a Protestant college professor.

     Professor Patrick D. McAmany, S.J., representing a Catholic viewpoint
on the subject, was of the opinion that much of the controversy as to the place of religion in the public schools had to do with whether the First Amendment was to be interpreted broadly or narrowly. He also posed the question, "How does one solve the problem that any man's ultimate set of values...is a religion?"

     Dr. William B. Silverman, presenting the Jewish point of view, stated his belief that religion should be kept in the home, church, and synagogue, and not in the public schools. An opinion of Dr. Robert Alley, the Protestant panel member, was that federal aid should not be given to parochial schools since it would mean that the tax payer must aid a religion of which he may not approve.

     The issue in question has been felt by practically every American in one degree or another. As an example, this writer is familiar with the case in a school where several children whose parents were Jehovah's Witnesses were not allowed by their parents to take part in school parties observing Christmas and other holidays,

     If religion should be included in the public schools, who or what is to determine which religion is to prevail? The "one man's theology is another's poison" principle is one of the basic arguments for excluding religion altogether. In the writer's own fourth grade experience, the class used the "forgive us our trespasses" version of the Lord's Prayer when she had learned to say "forgive us our debts."

     Finally, the grounds that "religion" in the teaching of moral and spiritual values, by the teacher's example, if nothing else, in such areas as honesty and right conduct, is justifiable, can even here be argued as to whether or not crime and delinquency, for example, are actually diminished by such training. So the issue of the place of religion in the public schools remains highly controversial in all aspects.

     Since some sort of conclusion on the part of this writer would seem to be appropriate, let the following suffice: Since our federal government through its Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion" and advocates for this nation the principle of the separation of church and state, and since there is a wide variety of religious sects in America and consequently a wide scope of theological differences, religion of any sectarian nature must be kept from the public schools. The home and church must supply the doctrinal religion that our children are to receive.

     The question of the place of the reading of the Bible and the saying of the Lord's Prayer in the public schools is a more difficult one (more pressing in view of the fact that the Supreme Court is soon to reach a decision). Some wonder if this will ultimately result in a possible elimination of the Pledge of Allegiance (with its "under God" clause), Christmas carol singing, and baccalaureate ceremonies in churches. This writer would hesitate to pass judgment on "no Bible reading in any of the nation's public schools." Elimination of this practice would seem extreme, but again, the "all or none" facet looms.

Update: An April 1, 1963 diary update reads: "I just finished my religion term paper - 31 pages this time. I can't figure out why the majority of kids think 15 pages is long! Guess I'll have to go in for book writing." When Dr. Johnson gave the paper back to me, I could tell that he had read it thoroughly - meticulously noting typing mistakes or missing connecting words. His concluding comment was: "The only facet of the problem you have not treated is the logic of removing religious exercises from the public schools - yet keeping them in the opening exercises of the Congress, the Supreme Court, every court of law where witnesses are sworn "so help me God," on our coins, our salute to the flag, our presidential oath of office, etc."

Whereas my 50 page December 10, 1962 "The Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus" paper earned his comment, "This is an encyclopedic labor - far more detailed than necessary," this last one garnered the comment, "too condensed," along with the numeric grade of 96.