Blog 8: Religion Presentation

Our group presented this week and it was an invigorating experience. Each member of the group contributed equally to the presentation and the end product was a dynamic presentation that involved class discussion. I enjoyed reading through the CQ questions prior to class. The questions were insightful and thought provoking. They introduced ideas that I had never considered and they ignited conversations within the class. Religion is such a difficult topic to bring up in the classroom. Luckily, teaching math does not involve religion, so it is infrequently discussed and then only minimally. I feel uncomfortable because I do not want to say anything offensive and then have angry students, parents, and administrators. Some of the most successful conversations I have heard about from other teachers that they had about religion was when it happened suddenly and was initiated by the students. Then, the teacher is not creating an awkward environment by trying to make a big deal out of anything, instead, the teacher is there to guide and facilitate when needed and allow the students to be the main participants in the conversation. One group was discussing whether students should have the right the post the Ten Commandments outside their lockers. The group did not see the harm in this because it is the student's property. I do not believe it is the student's property. Students are liable for search and seizures of their personal belongings without probable cause because they are on school property and their locker is the same. It is not considered property of the student and therefore, students do not have the right to post whatever they want on them. Our country was founded on the basis of separation and state and we are so lucky because of this. Millions of people are persecuted and terrorized because of their ideals and religion. The beauty of the United States is the freedom and liberties that everyone is allowed to take advantage of no matter what they believe and this needs to be respected in the classroom.