For Prof.Gooman ONLY!!!

Discussion 1

Reflect: The lack of a national religion supported and established by the federal government has been hailed as one of the most important principles that ensure religious freedom in the United States. In addition, the ability to practice any religious or non-religious beliefs is equally applauded as a core tenant of religious freedom. , the debate over religious freedom continues throughout our nation. Write: In your initial post of at least 250 words, utilize the Constitution, established case law, and scholarly sources to complete the following assignments:

· Describe one argument that claims separation of church and state is necessary to maintain religious freedom.

· Describe one argument that claims separation of church and state is not necessary to maintain religious freedom.

· Explain which argument is the most credible, reliable, and valid and why?

Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to Peers: Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7. In your responses to your peers of at least 200 words, extend the conversation by examining their claims or arguments in more depth or by responding to the posts that they make to you. Keep the discussion on target and try to analyze things in as much detail as you can. For instance, analyze your classmate’s response and evaluate their validity. Are their arguments concerning religious freedom necessary and sufficient? Also, support your analysis with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references.

Responces

Lorena:

Describe one argument that claims separation of church and state is necessary to maintain religious freedom.

“Americans are still among the most religious people in the world, yet the government plays almost no role in promoting, endorsing or funding religious beliefs. By maintain the wall of separating church and state, we can guarantee the continued vitality of religion in American life.” (Anti Defamation League, n.d.). One argument that claims separation of church and state is necessary to maintain religious freedom is public schools teaching the values of democracy. Public schools are teaching democracy, the freedom of religion yet not enforcing a faith or any specific faith to students is one argument that some oppose of. I believe that the separation of church and state is necessary when it comes to not enforcing a religion to students when their parents or guardian believe one thing. I believe it is ok for the state to encourage or teach the students the diversity in faiths or no faiths, but not enforce it on them. It is also necessary for when the government appoints people for office not based on their religion or belief.

Describe one argument that claims separation of church and state is not necessary to maintain religious freedom.

When the people think they need support from the government for religious freedom claim that separation of church and state is not necessary. One Argument that claims separation of church and state is not necessary to maintain religious freedom is same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage is the most talked topic, which some believe that separation of church and state is not necessary to maintain religious freedom. Same-sex marriage has been said to be immoral based on religion views, but religion cannot be the basis of law. All couples should be entitled to marry (Reinach, n.d). Some Church establishments will not marry a couple of the same-sex, but they are violating the rule of the separation of church and state.

Explain which argument is the most credible, reliable, and valid and why?

I believe the argument that is the most credible, reliable, and valid is the separation of church and state is necessary because the state should not have an establishment supporting a specific faith or favoring a specific belief. Schools also shouldn’t promote a particular faith on students for that is the parents’ job; although, I do believe it is ok for school to educate students on the diversity of freedom of religion.

References:

Anti Defamation League. (n.d.). Separation: Good for Government, Good for Religion. Retrieved from http://archive.adl.org/issue_religious_freedom/print.html

Reinach, A. (n.d.). Same-Sex Marriage, Censorship, and the Separation of Church and State. Church and State Council. Retrieved from http://www.churchstate.org/index.php?id=445

Brandon:

The separation of church and state is a very big deal in the nation in this current time. With the social construction changing in this nation, so is the view of religion. One of the biggest positives to come out if the church and state issue is the fact of the influence on the public school system. Many schools are adapting that the pledge of allegiance cannot be recited because it says the words “under God”. This has been a controversy but not having religion in schools allows the school system to be utilized by many cultures and not have to worry about religious discrimination. This also allows the integration of different people who otherwise would not be interacting with each other. Religion cannot be used as the basis to deny the right of a fair education. One of the negative aspects works in conjunction with the positive aspect but on a greater scale. Having the separation of church and state means that in no way, shape or form can the topic of religion be used in a state wide or federal government setting. A great majority of the country have religious values and feel the even the basic aspect of religious based ideas should be present in our government agencies. Being a person that has modern values I believe that religion should not be utilized in the public school setting, being that it does heavily support cultural integration. There is already prejudiced in the school systems as it is, so using the schools as an educating tool in all aspects is most beneficial to the country. But on another note I feel the pledge of allegiance should be recited because it is a core aspect on founding the country. “Under God” can be any god.