In order to analyze and synthesize how people felt about Religion in the Schools, I drafted a poll and sent them out to two different public schools in Rowan County. One school has a religion based course that is offered while the other school does not offer such a course. The poll asked 50 anonymous staff members, 25 from each school, to circle the answer that best supports their view on Religion in the Schools. Questions and answers asked are tailed as followed:
The result from the poll brings me to question if the history of religion has an impact or is relevant to modern day school system. Since the ships sailed from abroad and the colonists landed on the soil, religion has always been an influential part of people’s lives. The impact of religion in the school system has altered during the centuries leaving some to wonder if it has almost become non-existent. The lack of teaching religious history has infiltrated our classrooms in so many ways that it has not only left holes in our history books but it has left historical events whether untidy or unjust non-existent. The lack of prayer, the Moment of Silence, “One Nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, renaming of holidays, and whether religious holidays should be celebrated or looked over depending on a person’s religious culture all have an impact on today’s school system that is different than when schools were first established.
Setzer School, 1840's, Salisbury, N.C. Photo Credit: Tamara Dennis