essay

PERSONAL PROCESS JOURNAL 2 – A JOURNAL ARTICLE 1

(Author’s name was asked to be removed)

20 October 2015

Human Resource Development 656

Personal Process Journal 2 – A Journal Article

PERSONAL PROCESS JOURNAL 2 – A JOURNAL ARTICLE 2

Recently, the class discussion was on religion and oppression. The discussion was

primarily focused on the belief of Santa Claus and how this belief helps stimulate the national

economy, while the Christian belief is that Christmas Day is the celebration of the birth of the

Christian Savior, Jesus Christ. With certain things that have been happening across not only

America, but the world, I thought it would be interesting to read about religion and different

involvements with it. Even though this article don’t focus on Santa Claus and Christmastime, I

read through an article by Jeff Passe and Lara Willox title Teaching Religion in America’s Public

Schools: A Necessary Disruption.

Some of the first lines of Passe and Willox’s article state that “in our global society, it is

more important than ever to know about and understand the religious beliefs of others. The

social studies curriculum is infused with religion, but teachers circumvent the issue, mistakenly

citing the separation of church and state as an obstacle” (Passe & Willox, 102). My immediate

thought after reading that line is that yes it is important to learn about other religious beliefs, and

it is unfortunately true that teachers in public schools really do avoid the topics of religion.

Thinking back over my history classes from my years in public school and through

college, I began to wonder how schools can avoid talking about religion in history classes, when

religion truly is a large aspect of our world’s history. A question that Passe and Willox proposed

about religion in schools made me think. Without studying religion, how can a student possibly

understand historical topics such as the Crusades; religious persecution; the formation of India

and Pakistan; and the election of America’s first catholic President - John F. Kennedy?

The article goes on to talk about the separation of Church and State as it applies to

schools. While reading this, I thought about one of my political sciences classes that I had in my

undergraduate career, we studied the Constitution and I remember that the First Amendment

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states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting

the free exercise thereof.” If I understand this correctly, there is nothing in this clause denying

the teaching of religion.

I believe the world has been in wars over religion for a very long time. From the

Crusades to the Nazi’s persecution of people of the Jewish faith during World War II, from

September 11th, 2001 to the formation of the ISIS group combatting Christians, and even the

denial of religious rights of Christians holding to their faith. It is very upsetting to see Christians

being targeted not only across the world but even just here in America.

Last year, students at a school in California were required to learn and begin practicing

Islam, while Christianity is practically banned from our schools. Across America, the Ten

Commandments from the Book of Exodus are being removed from courthouses and other federal

buildings. Our own President has stated in his book Audacity of Hope: “I will stand with the

Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.” Less than a month ago, on

October 1st, 2015, there was a shooter at the Umpqua Community College near Roseburg

College. Before killing his victims, he asked what religion they were, and if they answered that

they were Christian, he would shoot them.

Today, most schools don’t even recite the Pledge of Allegiance because it states “One

Nation under God.” When I was in the public school system before entering college, we said the

Pledge every morning before classes began. If an individual did not want to recite the Pledge, or

even wanted to skip over that specific line, it was their choice. Now, I know that my hometown

school system doesn’t even recite the pledge to accommodate those who were upset about it

referencing religion. Whether official or not, there is a war against those who believe in the

Christian faith.

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The closing statements of the article say it best: “By planning a campaign to reintroduce

religion to the school curriculum, they can help the United States adjust to the new challenges

that have come with globalization. A well-planned effort may lead to a stronger society, one in

which religious differences are understood, appreciated, and even celebrated. The alternative is

further fraying of the bonds that hold the country together” (Passe & Willox, 106). The national

motto of America is “In God We Trust.” I believe that it’s about time to start putting our trust in

him again.

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References

Passe, J., & Willox, L. (2009). Teaching Religion in America's Public Schools: A Necessary

Disruption. Social Studies, 100(3), 102-106.