WHY RELIGION IS PROHIBE AT PUBLICS SCHOOLS ON THE 60 AND WHY WE STILL NOT TALKING TO RELIGION NOW - Essay Example

It is then only a matter of policy that to avoid conflicts each and every religion must be respected not only by the government but with every person. The issue of religion is among the most sensitive of all topics that can be raised in any occasion. Many debates had been started and to no end when such is the subject. Arguments may extend for hours but there is no guarantee that anything will be resolved. Any person’s belief may be as intense or as placid but when it comes to conviction people do not easily bend to the will of others.

Religion may also be a source of hatred because of ignorance and worse because of intolerance. After the 9/11 attack there had been reports that mosques of nonviolent Muslims were attacked carelessly with people throwing rocks or vandalizing their premises. For quite some time, the same people were heavily stereotyped as terrorists without any cause or evidence. This further shows that religion is a diverse and sensitive topic that explains why it is considered as somewhat an off topic. In 1960, during John F.

Kennedy’s bid for president, religion was the question he dreaded the most to be asked though it was a pressing matter at the time. “Kennedy pledged unequivocal support for the uniquely American principle of church-state separation, opposed public aid for parochial schools, and opposed an ambassador to the Vatican” (Menendez, 2011). As expected, there was a division of reaction among the people with those who are criticizing his secular view. He insists that he does not want to be voted for solely because of his religion.

He maintains that voters should choose him for his credentials and what he can do for the country and not because he is a catholic candidate. Evangelists had been wary of his election that their influence will be affected or even boasting that they could make or break his campaign. In the important case of Engel vs. Vitale, the Supreme Court held that prayer is absolutely prohibited before the start of classes though any student may opt to remain silent and not to participate in it. The same was also prohibited regardless of the fact that the mandated prayer is neutral.

The prayer approved and recommended by the New York State Board of Regents was to be recited before class. The prayer reads, “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country” (Engel vs. Vitale, 1962). This was implemented as a part of their holistic training. Thereafter, parents of ten children opposed the prescribed routine as against the Constitution and their rights. The prayer was deemed by the Court as a religious practice and ordered to refrain from the practice in the public schools.

The decision even went so far as to discuss history and cite that it is the similar religious conflicts that compelled the first settlers to leave England for the New World. It is the interference of religion that has contributed to the lives of men which needed the monarchy’s approval. “When the power, prestige and financial support of government is placed behind a particular religious belief, the indirect coercive pressure upon religious minorities to conform to the prevailing officially approved religion is plain” (Engel vs.

Vitale, 1962). There had been radical opposing views in this subject throughout the years especially from people belonging to religious groups. Gary Bergel, in a sectarian paper, said “Think then, what happens to a nation rife with perjury, broken marriage covenants, unforgiveness, cults with demonic covenants, extortion, bribery,