Discussing this topic in class made me aware of some bias' I have towards this issue, as a social worker, that could potentially influence me to struggle with handeling this situation with my clients or in a organization/community. The idea of integration of religion in schools and the public (such as jobs from the video clips) is an idea I favor indefinitely. Being able to practice your religious beliefs publicly is apart of our rights as citizens. The idea that praying has been banned in schools, or controversys about saying "one nation under God" in our pledge of allegiance hits a personal spot for me. Sure, I respect people's opinions about this issue and whether they have spiritual beliefs or specific relgious beliefs, which as we discussed appear to be interchangeable but are not. However, all individuals beliefs should be respected, whether you have religious beliefs or not. With that said, I believe politics and religion can be symmetrical. Running a nation includes your beliefs and morals towards certain issues, and your religious beliefs (if any) will influence your beliefs and opinions. I think we made a good point as a class saying that there is a difference between rural and urban areas religious beliefs. Small communities, for example where my Mom's family is from in East Texas, all attend the same church, same religious beliefs in their community; a Baptist Church. Being in such a small community, it is more adament to exhibit your religious beliefs publicly and portraying them within school rights of passage, such as prayer at graduation, Christmas shows representing the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, in a 5a school district I grew up in where our graduating class was close to 600, these religious portrayals are not exhibited in school anymore. When my brother graduated in 2000, I remember attending his Christmas shows and prayer at football games. But when I attended high school, there was public debate about our pledge of allegiance, prayer was not allowed during athletic programs or extra-curricular activities such as the traditional Christmas programs. The only program that had anything to do with the school district was Younglife, and that was not a school sponsored extra-curricular activity. It is a program led by volunteers and includes all schools within the district, not just one in specific.
With that said, seeing these changes being implemented offends me. I do not feel that schools are favoring only christianity. Individuals should be able to portray their beliefs whether it regards certain articles of clothing, tattoos, etc. As well as in the job force. I too have never witnessed a waitress or waitor wearing religious articles of clothing, head bands, or scarfs. So that brings up the question, is Article 7 of the constituion really being forced? Or are citizens, who are well qualified for specific jobs, afraid to apply for them because their religious beliefs will be discriminated against, questioned, or percieved as a threat? Equal Employment Opportunity is a value we as Americans are proud of to be represented in our constitution, but is there really equality?
It's hard to say whether there is equality in America, especially after watching the WWYD video in class. Even citizens thought it was okay for the employer not to hire people based on their religious clothing/garments. That right there let's us know that, on the one hand we have a legal document (Equal Employment Opportunity) that is against discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ability, religious views, etc., but on the other hand, some citizens find it okay (and I must admit I used to find it okay) to discriminate against some people at certain times.
ReplyDeleteJill, you make some very good points. This issue is so complex that even after going to school at a time when the Pledge of Allegiance and prayers were said in school to the days when my kids were in school and things began to change, I still find myself on both side of the fence. Being a religious person myself, I tend to lean in favor of the freedom of prayer, etc. However, it seems very unfair (and even uncomfortable) at times that the freedom to practice one's religion only holds true if it is America's mainstream Christian religion. And, I say this being a Christian myself. I really enjoyed your blog this week!
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