Religion In School? No Way!

The article I read was written by Ryland Barton in The Texas Observer. The article is about rumored cuts of historical figures from the Texas public school system and how to relate religion into history classes. The State Board of Education (SBOE) brought in two people to give their opinion about religion in history. One of the men appointed was Reverend Peter Marshall. Marshall believes that “high school classrooms should explain that critical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are products of Christian values.” Marshall operates Marshall Ministries in Massachusetts and stressed to the State Board of Education, “the Constitutional values of universal human equality are derived from God.” In his review of the Texas Education Knowledge and Skills curriculum (TEKS), Marshall stated, “Religion in America produced the first written civil documents of governance.” The second Christian advocate to be hired by SBOE is David Barton. Barton was also former vice president of the Texas Republican Party. Barton gave an in-depth review of minority historical figures that should be in the TEKS curriculum. Barton also suggested the removal of Anne Hutchinson, Carl Sagan, and Colin Powell from the historical figures list. Barton also stressed the use of religion in the program, he said students be taught “inalienable rights as being those rights given by God.”
Ryland Barton is happy that the first amendment is tested, but also believes even though the words “creator” and “under God” are used in the Constitution we shouldn’t put religion into school and it doesn’t belong there. Ryland Barton also states that most people view these documents as historical information not connected to religion. Barton gives an example that in the first amendment it states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This law was made to protect people to follow religion freely and no one religion has to be followed. I believe the authors audience is all of the parents in Texas who have children that go to school and also the students them self. The audience is also people who aren’t religious and don’t follow Christianity so they may be concerned. The author’s credibility is opinion based but he does make good points about the 1st amendment in the Constitution and this supports his ideas of not having religion in school systems because it is forcing each student to follow one faith which our country does not impose.