Stubbornly Persistent Intrusions

 

One hundred years ago, in July, 1925, the State of Tennessee, these United States, and the entire world within reach of the communication technology and media of the time were treated to the spectacle of what's known as the Scopes Trial.  From July 10th to July 21st a high school teacher was prosecuted for teaching the theory of evolution in violation of the law of the Volunteer State.

Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan and H.L. Mencken participated in the spectacle, among others. Their appearances in that courtroom made it the peculiar landmark of our history it became; seemingly a victory for the separation of church and state assured by the Constitution although Scopes was found guilty.  The victory was due to the spectacle created.  The law was shown to be an absurd consequence of ignorance and religious repression of a well-established scientific theory intruding on public education.

But if there was a victory it was short-lived.  When it comes to public education, those legislators who believe that God is responsible for the creation of the horrible human race still insist that this be taught in public schools. Those who think God gave us Ten Commandments (including one that mandates his worship) demand they be displayed in public schools. So, the intrusion of religious beliefs in public education continues. 

Many Americans seems to want the religion they personally prefer to be taught in public schools.  They're not content to merely practice their religion freely, without hindrance by goverment or others.  They want it, or at least aspects of it, to be required parts of public schooling.  Perhaps they assume all Americans have similar religious beliefs and so wouldn't object to the schools imparting them to their children; perhaps they don't care if they do or don't.  I suspect the latter is the case.

In fact, religious education is required, more or less, in many countries.  So, the urge to impose religious instruction on students isn't unique to America. Our Great Republic, though, is somewhat unique due to the clause in the First Amendment prohibiting government from making laws regarding the establishment of a religion.

There is debate over whether the intrusion of religious beliefs or symbols in schools constitutes the establishment of a religion.  That aside, my interest is in the question: Why does the desire that religion be taught in public schools persist?

You'd think that parents themselves could arrange for their children to learn of their religious beliefs. There are churches and other places of worship everywhere to assist in that task. Is it thought that people will only become or remain adherents of an approved religion if intelligent design and the Ten Commandments are taught in schools?  That's difficult to believe.  Is it thought that students will lose their faith if taught the theory of evolution, or if the Ten Commandments are not prominently displayed somewhere on school premises?

Again, this seems very unlikely.  The religious education I received in Catholic schools didn't serve to convince me of anything where religion was concerned, and served more than anything to result in a loss of faith.

I doubt the intrusion of religion in public schools accomplishes anything.  I know of no study or evidence establing that it does. My guess is that the efforts at religious intrusion into public education persist because true believers don't really expect anything will be accomplished.  They feel the intrusion is inherently good. There need not be any result.  No opportunity to express their beliefs can be missed.  There is a kind of compulsion involved.  A form of religious exhibitionism.