Blog 8: Religion

The majority of people in America at least claim to be Christian, as seen in the chart below. However, this does not mean that the teaching of Christianity should be forced upon the remaining groups. Christian groups often try to argue that we need to keep Christianity in the schools in order to teach children morals, but even Christians should be able to defend their morals apart from faith. People should know basic morals, such as to

respect others and appreciate moderation. A significant aspect of the founding of our country was the establishment of freedom of religion. Historically, ties between the church and state have led to the reputation of the church suffering when the state does questionable things. It hurts the church more than it helps it to even be associated.

It has always interested me that religions or groups within religions change their relationships with one another in light of the environment they are in. For instance, if a group of people consists entirely of Christians of various denominations, members of each denomination identify with each other against those of other denominations. Those same people would unify and identify as one group if a group of Muslims or Jews were brought into the picture. While the unique aspects in religions may seem minute or extreme to other people, they are simply part of the religion to its members. They should be respected as an important part of our students' lives and we need to allow them to celebrate accordingly. Religion is often the most important aspect of a person or family's life, so it is essential that judgment or criticism be removed from the situation entirely. Even things that we may assume are simple questions can come across as critical if presented in the wrong way.

Reflection of Panel: My high school math teacher had a noticeable scar down his calf. Being our only middle-aged teacher, we were accustomed to respecting him and not asking personal questions. As a reward for a class performing well on a quiz, he told them that they could ask him any question they wanted so one student asked how he got the scar on his calf. Mr. Jackson informed the class that the K.K.K. was still very much active when he was growing up and his father and brother were active members. They did not take kindly to his choice as the first white man to marry a black woman in the region. The scar on his calf was from an ax that was thrown at him by a K.K.K. member. It seemed unreal that a bi-racial marriage would have been novel so recently, even in the mountains of North Carolina. It often seems that the white community tries to attribute racism to other factors. Perhaps you did not get that promotion because you're a woman. I'm sure you were pulled over because you were driving so slow, not because you're black. For someone who is not racist, it is easier to assume that the group you are associated with did not mean to act in that manner...until you witness it. Even in multi-cultural Dallas, racism is not gone. Just last year, two friends of mine were in a grocery store when a white man approached the girl, who is white, and began to harass her for being with an Asian guy. They had not experienced this behavior before and were taken back, but it left an impression on the girl. While it is easy in the mainstream to assume that problems are not as bad as minority groups say, we must all be aware of the persecutions those around us endure and strive to end those battles. The following clip is from a T.V. show called 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. The two cousins have recently experienced being pulled over and put in jail because they were thought to have stollen the car they were driving because they were black. Will, from Philadelphia, is enraged by the racist act while Carlton, raised in a wealthy neighborhood in California, has a difficult time realizing the reality of discrimination.