We learned in school (when we were paying attention) that in the US system of governing there should be a separation of Church (religion) and State.
It is a longstanding principle of the nation…well, until now.
In Texas, the Board of Education recently approved a social studies curriculum that will put a new conservative take on history and economics.
Among the changes, school textbooks now question the founding Fathers’ commitment to purely secular (non-religious) government. (They are looking at YOU, Thomas Jefferson!)
The Board of Education also edited the curriculum so that it had a more conservative bent… including presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light.
Is this a positive light or a lurch toward darkness? Let us know your take on the this history-making decision!
They should not separate religon and state because everyone needs to know about religon of any kind
They should keep religion and state separate. Any and all religions, if taken to the extreme can become bad for people (ex. muslim and christian extremists). They should also present both Republican and Democrat ideas, not just one side.
It definitely seems as if the board of education has taken the matter too far and like the article mentioned, it is practically changing the course of history. Although church and state should remain separate, to rewrite the history books with a more “Republican” viewpoint can be seen just as biased as before. Text books should include both viewpoints, if any, and not one biased, political opinion.
I think they should not seperate religion and state because we should learn about both.
I think a lot of people misunderstand what “Seperation of Church and State” means. It doesn’t mean we can’t teach World Religion in schools (a class I took back in high school).
What it does mean is that there is to be no State Religion (think Church of England), that to hold a public office you do not have to pass a “religious test” (Article 6 of the Constitution), and that no religion will be preferred over any other (Establishment Clause). It’s more of a “keep religion out of state affairs” clause, not a “keep religion out of the state” clause.