THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 30, 1994 TAG: 9409290051
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E14 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TEENSPEAK
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
LAST WEEK, students who felt the urge gathered around flagpoles at schools nationwide to pray. In Chesapeake recently, a religious group called Campus Life passed flyers in schools.
And every day across Hampton Roads, students, teachers and administrators observe a moment of silence during morning announcements.
Schools, even in this age of hypersensitivity to political correctness and the separation between church and state, are not without religion.
That's as it should be, according to six Bayside High students who discussed religion's place in schools at this week's Teenspeak.
All agreed that students should be allowed to express their religious beliefs voluntarily in school, although some disagreed on how far that expression could go before it crossed the line separating church and state.
The discussion was at times a philosophical debate about the role of religion in American society.
Nicole Scanlon, a 17-year-old senior, said she believes many of our society's problems have been caused by the erosion of religion's influence, including the push to keep all religion out of schools.
``I know when our parents were in school, there was more religion in school, and there wasn't all this crime; there weren't all these drugs,'' said Nicole, who was raised Catholic but now attends a nondenominational church. ``People could sleep at night.''
James Walpole, 15, a sophomore, believes the drug and free-love period of the 1960s may have contributed to the decline of religious influences in our society, including in our schools. Now, James said, the media portray people with strong religious beliefs as extremists or zealots.
``It sounds like they're making religion a fad,'' said James, who attends a Southern Baptist church. ``But it's not a fad. It's a faith.''
Lauren Williams, 17, a senior, doesn't see such a strong link between society's problems and the decline of religion.
``I think it may be a part, but not a big part,'' said Lauren, who attends a Unitarian church sometimes, but says she has no real religious affiliation. ``I think it has to do just with the overall disintegration of our society. I think it was bound to happen.
``It's never going to be an ideal society, religion or no.''
Still, Nicole said, ``I think a lot of problems would be solved if people were allowed to pray in school.'' She said faith and religion should begin at home.
Alonzo Cole, 17, a senior who attends a nondenominational church, pointed out that America was founded by people who believed in God and religion.
``But people have different beliefs,'' he said. ``You can't impose on anyone else. What about the people who are atheists or pagans or whatever?''
The students agreed that groups should be allowed to hold activities, advertise or recruit others in schools as long as the activity does not break any laws or disrupt teaching.
``It should be up to you'' whether to express religion in school, said Abigaille Laxa, 16, a junior and a Catholic.
Somewhat reluctantly, that acceptance was extended to people who profess to hold nonmainstream religious beliefs, such as Satanists.
Jennifer Winfree, a 16-year-old junior, said concern for others' beliefs should not mean avoiding all discussion of religion.
``People are so worried about offending someone,'' said Jennifer, who describes herself as undecided about her religious affiliation. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Nicole R. Scanlon
Jennifer M. Winfree
Abigaille R. Laxa
Lauren M. Williams
Alonzo D. Cole
James P. Walpole
by CNB