By Jeff Orvis
Occasionally, one of my Facebook
friends will post something that indicates that we should bring back
prayer or the 10 Commandments to schools and ask that those who agree
share the message. Although there are obvious questions about the
separation of church and state when you are talking about public
school, their sentiments are well intentioned.
With all the conflict in the world and
the all-to-frequent stories about shootings in the schools, those of
us who profess a belief in a higher power automatically call upon
that power to give us the answers to this violence.
I find it interesting that many of the
people who think we should bring God into our schools are the same
ones who swear by their Second Amendment rights to own and bear arms.
So what about what the Constitution says about church and state
separation?
My friends who are educators may
cringe when I suggest the following. But the idea of allowing the 10
Commandments or prayer in schools may not be such a bad idea. But
only if it was a part of a comparative religion course. Proponents of
prayer in school for the most part are well-meaning Christians. But
part of my Christian upbringing included tolerance for those who
don't share my beliefs. Part of that tolerance should include
peaceful discussion with those who disagree. I'm afraid if the Bible
was the only textbook allowed in public schools, a “my way or the
highway” mentality would soon follow and our young people would be
no better equipped to live in this diverse world than they are now.
I'll admit that I don't understand
many of the other major religions of the world, but there are some
things I admire in the way those religions are observed. I'll never
belong to the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon), but I really
respect how members of that church will stop what they're doing,
whether it is education, occupation or retirement, for a time to go
into the mission field for a year or more. What is more beautiful
than witnessing members of the Jewish community observe their holy
days? What I understand about the Islamic religion is that is
basically a peaceful religion. Millions of mothers and fathers around
the world undoubtedly weep when they hear the term “Islamic
extremists” tied to a suicide bomber, for that is not a part of
their belief.
For nearly 20 years, I lived within
five miles of a big Amish community in Northeast Iowa. I got used to
their simple, old-fashioned dress, the horse-drawn buggies along the
side of the country roads and watching how hard they worked their
prosperous farms. Trips to their community store meant getting food
items in bulk at good, honest prices and often some wonderful baked
goods.
So while introducing a comparative
religion curriculum in our schools in a school day already packed
with learning the basics of math, English, science, etc. seems like a
pipe dream, it might be the best foundation for all else students
must learn. If such a course were offered, it would mean more work
for parents and for those students who live in homes where church is
an important part of life, more work for their respective clergy
members. The teachers of the comparative religion course would simply
lay out the facts on each of the religions and then the students
would need to feel comfortable asking their parents or clergy their
questions on how the Islamic, Amish or Jewish beliefs compared or
contrasted with what each household believed.
It just might be the first step in
cutting down on the persecution endured by those who may not
necessarily believe as we do. It might help us understand why some
women wear long, plain dresses, or wear scarves to cover their heads
or why men grow beards and dress plainly.
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