Public Schools Are No Place For Christian Crusades

As I’m walking to my ceramics class, the last person I want to see is Jesus Christ.

I don’t want to hear about him or even be induced to think about him. The reason is this: I see public schools as a place to be educated about many things, but promoting religion has no place in such an institution.

This is not to say there should be no mention of any forms of religion in school; no one can deny that religion has played a major role in history. But what should be stricken is any religious propaganda.

Let’s not be vague. I’m not talking about rabid Buddhists trying to convert students. I’m talking mainly about Christians. That’s not to say that Buddhism is “better” than Christianity, just that the only people who have ever cornered me in school regarding their crusade have been Christians.

Those students who feel they are enlightened and elevated by the purity of their beliefs need to understand that they may not be right. And just because someone has narrowed their vision to only see the world through a specific viewpoint does not give them the right to aggressively try to persuade others that they and their God are right.

An example is someone carrying around a Bible trying to explain to other students the “truth” that can be found in the pages and the belief. Another example is a group of students praying in the cafeteria just before first period.

This especially should not go on at school. Public school should be a safe zone where religions are shut out. Isn’t it up to each person to decide what he or she believes? And when you go to a place to learn, you should not have something that is more or less hearsay taught. In short: take it somewhere else.

I don’t think Bible study groups or any religious groups should be allowed to meet on school grounds. Shouldn’t public schools be cleansed of all evidence of religions, a place where you can go and count on not being convinced or bludgeoned into believing someone else’s beliefs?

Some people will probably be very offended by this viewpoint. If it was in favor of promoting religion in schools, I sure would be. But keep in mind that this is just one unbeliever’s personal opinion and nothing more.

We shouldn’t go to school and see the side effects of free speech in full effect: someone trying to pull another into their personal religious beliefs. It’s pathetic and it’s wrong, and the fact that it goes on in public schools is sad.

xxxx