Title: Four Reasons Why You Should Teach About Religion in School (Opinion)
Headings: Four Reasons Why You Should Teach About Religion in School
Four Reasons Why You Should Teach About Religion in School
Anthony Jackson
Rev. Mark E. Fowler
Marisa Fasciano
1. Religiously motivated hate crimes are on the rise.
2. Our student body is more diverse.
3. Religious literacy is key to a well-rounded education.
4. Students have a First Amendment right to religious expression in school.

Content: or
displaying a preference for religion over non-religion, or vice versa. The Free Exercise Clause, on the other hand, affirms that certain religious activity in public schools is protected. As long as students do not coerce or otherwise infringe on the rights and learning of their schoolmates, they can
engage in private prayer during the school day; express their religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments that meet educational goals; and
obtain excusals from specific classroom discussions or activities for religious reasons. Even though these guidelines may seem clear in the abstract, applying them to real-life situations often leaves room for interpretation and comes down to a judgment call. Educators can find it challenging to balance the requirements of the Establishment Clause, and the desire to protect students’ from unwelcome religious persuasion, with the right to free expression. To better prepare for this challenge, educators need to create conditions in their schools that allow for regular and sensitive communication about religious differences. That way, if religious tensions arise, they can be resolved more skillfully and effectively. Dr. James Banks, a renowned expert in social studies and multicultural education, states “The world’s greatest problems do not result from people being unable to read and write.