Religion plays an important role in many cultures. It determines which beliefs and values people uphold, which traditions and rituals they follow, and how they live their lives. It is the guiding force in the lives of many people. How does culture influence religious expression and identity? Future teachers need to understand the relationship between culture and religion in order to be accepting of religious differences in the classroom and to treat all students fairly.
HOW IS CULTURE A VEHICLE FOR RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION & IDENTITY?
Religion is an integral part of life in many cultural groups in the United States. It often serves as a tool for socializing people and instilling in them standards and appropriate behaviors. For many, it represents the primary micro-culture with which they identify. It influences all aspects of their lives, including their beliefs about friendship, gender roles, marriage, sexuality, child-rearing practices, divorce, and political ideologies.
A person's level of religiosity is linked to cultural background, including age, gender, socio-economic status, political affiliation, and place of residence. According to data from surveys, older women tend to have higher church attendance rates than their younger counterparts or even men; people from high socioeconomic backgrounds also attend church more often than people from low socioeconomic backgrounds; Republicans go to church more often than Democrats or Independents; and people who live in the South attend church more often than people who live in other parts of the country.
Teachers should be careful not to derive generalizations from the above survey findings as variations within groups may exist.
How does religion impact the community?
Religion is an important force in the lives of many people who reside in the United States. Approximately 90% of the U.S. population identifies with a religion. The various religions that are practiced in this country are concentrated in different parts of the country according to the settlement patterns of immigrants over the course of history. Catholicism has a stronghold in the North East. Liberal Protestantism is concentrated both in the North East and mid-West. Conservative Protestantism is concentrated in the South. Judaism, the Islamic religion, Eastern religions and philosophies, and other Christian religions tend to be concentrated in metropolitan areas.
Religious beliefs have driven many important events in the history of our world. They have helped form entire nations, fueled wars and conquest, and united diverse peoples from across the globe in one common pursuit.
Religion gives hope, peace, and inspiration, and provides guidance for the way people live their lives and interact with others. It impacts the lives of each and every one of us, either through culture, religious practices, or others who act in response to their religious beliefs. Religion transmits values from one generation to the next and, in many ways, determines how society is organized, including the world of school.
Families typically influence the religious identity of their children at an early age by teaching their own religious beliefs and expecting conformity. Children's religious identity is further influenced by the community in which they live. In communities where religious diversity is limited, religious differences tend not to be accepted and are even perceived as heretical whereas in communities where religious diversity exists, religious differences tend to be accepted. Children learn the religious values of their community.
How does religion impact the world of school?
Religion also determines the expectations that parents place on schools in different communities around the nation. In the South, Baptist or Pentecostal families predominantly expect schools to teach content that does not contradict their religious beliefs (i.e., no teaching about evolution or sexuality). The same is true in Amish or Mennonite communities in Indiana and in Mormon communities in Utah. On the West coast, where students come from many religious backgrounds, the curriculum tends to be more liberal (i.e., it includes ethnic studies, religious classes, and sex education). On the East coast, where students also come from different religious backgrounds, religious perspectives tend not to be reflected in the curriculum.
Which role should religion play in education?
Many people in this country disagree about the role that religion should play in education. The law (i.e., the 1st Amendment) separates the church and state but different groups interpret the law in different ways. For example, in 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that there should not be any praying in school. Some groups have challenged that decision. Other groups have challenged the teaching of evolution and sexuality, as well as reading lists and curricular units that reflect different worldviews and lifestyles. Typically, conservative parents want schools to teach Christian values and oppose multicultural education and sex education because they consider that it detracts from morality. Liberal parents, on the other hand, want their children to be exposed to different perspectives and cultural groups and support multicultural education, sex education, and drug education. In the past 3 decades, a lot of litigation has taken place regarding matters of religion and morality relating to the world of school. Much of the litigation was brought about by a conservative group called the Religious Right.
It is therefore quite pertinent for teachers to be aware of the religious values and attitudes that prevail in the community in which they work. This will allow them to implement a neutral, educational practice and to be sensitive to and accepting of religious differences.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF RELIGION?
It is difficult to recommend a code of conduct for public school teachers regarding religion because of the various expectations placed by different groups in the community and the fact that these expectations vary from community to community. By and large, many public schools do try to foster morality and social responsibility by teaching values that are religious in nature (e.g., honesty and respect for others), and oftentimes offer courses based on the community's religious beliefs and values.
What should teachers do?
Teachers must be aware of the influence of religion on their school's climate and curriculum and in the community in which they teach in order to determine which materials, books, and teaching methods to use in the classroom. Teachers should also show respect for different religions, be tolerant of religious diversity, and refrain from stereotyping. They should also refrain from "preaching" their religious beliefs in school and should regularly reflect on themselves to make sure that they are not discriminating against students on the basis of religious beliefs.
In many states around the country, school prayer and censorship of textbooks and educational materials are still grounds for litigation. About 71% of the U.S. population believes that praying should be allowed in school on a voluntary basis. Some people want to censor any books and materials that question authority, social values, and religion, or are non-sexist in nature. Teachers should always be familiar with the climate of the community in which they work and use common sense prior to using materials and resources that are considered controversial.
REFERENCES
Corrigan, J. & Hudson, W. (2004). Religion in America (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
ED.gov. Religion and public schools. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/index.html
Ellwood, R. & McGraw, B. (2002). Many people, many faiths. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Gollnick, D. & Chinn, P. (2021). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Religious Tolerance.org. Religion and prayers in U.S. public schools, libraries, etc. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pray.htm
Information from this post may be used provided credit is given to Dominique Charlotteaux
