history

American Government Discussion Question and classmates response:

DQ must be 2 paragraphs and classmates response must be 1 paragraph. Must be you own work.

DQ2

Examine three different Supreme Court cases cited in your book and Internet source material that have decided what the government's position should be in the advocacy of religious activities.  Do you feel that the Court's position has changed on religion over the years?  Why or why not?  Offer your opinions on the views of your classmates.

Classmate’s responses:

1. Of all the Supreme Court cases to read over, the Lemon vs Kurtzman caught my attention the most.  Just to mention of few of the religious issues in this era of Lemon vs Kurtzman are, in 1984, Rhode Island was allowed to display a creche at Christmas.  Now in certain places creches are not allowed.  In 1985, they struck down on Alabama law requiring a moment of silence before the public school day began.  At my old high school we could only recognize national moment of silences.  Being a fresh high school graduate, I can remember back in elementary school when we had to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Lord's Prayer.  In 2004, the Supreme Court had an issue where "one nation under God" wanted to be excluded from the Pledge of Allegiance.  A few of the changes concerning prayer in schools are-in 1992 they disallowed prayer at graduation ceremonies; in 20000 they ruled that prayers led by students at high school football games were unconstitutional; in 2004 they ruled that a state could keep a state scholarship from a student who wanted to major in pastoral ministries.  I'm only 18 and I know from my few years in school the Court's position has changed.  I can remember in high school when we had debates on certain topics and if people started to involve their religious beliefs in the debate, my teacher would end the discussion abruptly.  In my opinion and coming from a well rooted Christian family, no road in life is traveled smoothly, free of obstacles, and successful if God isn't the leader.  I believe in the "Power of Prayers."

2