The Bible in School

Looking at the results of the State of First amendment is surprising to me. Question 4 asked "Student speakers should be allowed to speak about their religious faith at public school events?" 54% strongly agreed. I was surprised by this because the other responses to different question did not match.  Keeping religion out of school makes students less competitive. In question 5 is asks "should student speakers be allowed to offer a prayer at public school events?" If students can't agree on one religion then prayer in general can become difficult and many will disagree. If the people of America can't decide on one religion then there needs to be boundaries set. In question 5 is says "The First Amendment requires a clear separation of church and state.” 38% responded that they strongly agree. Less than have know what the constitution says. How are schools able to decide if they want religion or not. Deciding on one religion to teach is hard enough or picking a few and leaving some out. Students and parents will not be happy because what makes America so special is we don't have to even have a religion or follow a God. In the First Amendment Center it says "Educators widely agree that study about religion, where appropriate, is an important part of a complete education. Part of that study includes learning about the Bible in courses such as literature and history. Knowledge of biblical stories and concepts contributes to our understanding of literature, history, law, art and contemporary society." This is a controversy because teachers are creating the child to do the best they can and based on certain religions the values of a teacher can come from a religion. Keeping religion completely out of the school is almost impossible. To end the fight of religion in schools they need to find common ground not only in public schools, but schools around the nation. In 2006 Georgia allowed the bible and the ten commands to be taught in public schools. For the first time government has officially agreed to allow the schools teach. it was said "The new law allows elective classes on the Bible to be taught to high school students. Local school systems will decide whether to teach the courses."The law requires that the courses be taught "in an objective and no devotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students."The bible creates values and the student can take what the teacher says in many different ways. If the teacher chooses to teach the religion many kids can learn values that with help the students grow as a person. In Deerfield and suburbs around here this would never pass. Christians are the minority in Deerfield and I think it is strange to see that schools are allowed to teach Christianity in public schools. Here Judaism would be taught if anything which is strange because I am Christian. I believe that religion should stay out of public schools unless everyone agrees to teach a certain religion in that area. Religion is an important part to who a person is and that is a private part too. Religion should be left out of public schools and stay in sacred places.

Sept 11 Movie

On Sept 11, 2001 I was in 3rd Grade with Mrs. Hilbert. That morning seemed like every other morning I waited for my bus looking outside the window while nbc news was playing on the tv. My mom and dad started to panic and I didn't understand what the big deal was the news is filled with bad things. I realized that my family was in New York which was my dads side of the family. My mom shoved me off to the bus and sent me to school. That day the teachers were very quiet. Watching the video today made me realize the extent of what really happened on September 11. The footage shown was unbelievable. Many students around me were sniffiling through the video. From the first plane hitting listening to the narators that were every day people was amazing to hear their shock and how they handled it along with the people around them. The people of New York thought that damage was done after one plane ,but it wasn't out of no where the second plane hit the other building right in the center. By then the city was in shock and realized this was not an accident. With the second plane hitting right in the middle is devestating because the people on the upper floors had no chance of survival. The next terrifying moment was when the first tower fell. It felt like it was from a movie with all th smoke coming through the streets and the people running. Seeing people coughing and spitting because the dust has covered them was insane. Everyone coming together tring to find shelter helping one another was amazing. Watching the footage and seeing true act of kindness and compassion was amazing since New York is a fast moving place. By the end of the day I loved watching the voluteers donate blood and doctors coming out of the hospital asking people to come in and help. Everyone wantd to be a part of this because that was the only way New York would ever get back on its feet. After watching the footage I realized that the city is filled with business and workers who are dedicated to there jobs ,but when disaster hits the compassionate side of the people come out and help. We should see this side of people not only when tradgedy strikes but day to day.

Hate Speech

The article Hate speech and Campus speech codes talks about what the restrictions of Universities first amendement. The student's cannot stripped of their legal rights as they walk in the door. There needs to be a line between harrasment and jokes ,since certain groups become offended of others when actions are taken. In college many Sororities and Fraternities have themed parties and events usually immataing one "type" of person. These parties are condoning steorotypes and judgements of individuals without realizing how it can affect someone else. In the Wisconsin speech code case  a fraternity brought a picture of a black Fiji islander during a party. Another  fraternity hostested a party that was themed "slave auction" many students painted there face black immitating African American enterainers. The students are representing not only there fraternity or soroity ,but also the school. Many students of different race,relgion, or sex can be discourage to attend to the universities that have held offencive events. The students need to know their audence and understand that they are not the only ones who know about the parties. Being involved in a courtcase about discrimmination will be hard to fight and embaressing. If the court or University has a race or stearotype that would be involved the situation will only get worse and uncomfortable for the students. At the time of these parties the students don't realize how offensive their actions can be teaching a lesson will let not only them ,but others in the future aware of current problem of discrimination. The question is where does the line draw? Students keep getting offended. How can they find a way to keep the harrassment out ,yet not take away the students first amendment?