The First Amendment: Should Religion Be Taught In Public Schools

The First Amendment Over seventy-six percent of the adolescents in America believe in a personal God (Regnerus). Despite this fact, the stigma surrounding the debate of separating school from religion mostly brings religious talk in education to a stand-still. Religion has presented itself in society for as long as history has recorded life in societies, and many individuals still practice their faith. In today’s society, however, teachers and educators rarely mention religion outside of Social Studies classes in public school systems. Yet, science has proven that allowing religion in lives affects and improves the quality of life. Public schools should allow religion because the presence increases test scores, results in better behavior, and leads to an overall happier life. Studies and research indicate a relationship between improved student outcomes in the classroom and religious education. “[The] faith schools continue to be popular, ... and their average pupil outcomes appear favorable when compared to other types of schools,” (Gibbons and Silva 2). This means that religious affiliated education centers appear to have a
An Illinois News Bureau article World survey links religion and happiness - for some written by Diana Yates, expresses this with a study which found that individuals affiliated with religion appear happier than those lacking faith in societies that cannot provide even the most basic of needs, such as food. Finally, all people need a feeling of hope, “No matter how bad the situation is, the belief in a divine power which metes out ultimate justice can provide an almost inexhaustible source for hope and optimism from which we can draw new strength” (Nick). This means religion can provide hope even in the darkest of times, even when one thinks it will never get