And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 16:31:08 -0500 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [[EMAIL PROTECTED]] FW: Re-enacting religious events invites trouble > >* From: Julie Lewis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >----- forward Walter Bell/ Americans United SCS/GA's message ----- >--The following message is a posting to the AU Activist News & Discussion List >--To reply to the sender of this message, send e-mailto:Walter >Bell/Americans United SCS/GA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Source: Free! The Freedom Forum Online; Religion >http://www.freedomforum.org/religion/haynes/1999/1/10haynes.asp > >"Finding Common Ground" column from "The Tennessean" > >Re-enacting religious events invites trouble > >By Charles C. Haynes >1.10.99 > >When a fourth-grade class in California held a "Court of Honor" recently, >some administrators weren't sure if the activity belonged in a public >school. > >The Court of Honor an adaptation of a Native American practice, was >intended to recognize the students' transition from childhood to the "age >of responsibility." > >During the ceremony, an elder (parent, uncle, aunt or other adult >significant in the child's life) presented a medallion to the student. > >The ceremony was part of a longer program in which the students, divided >into tribal groups, presented what they had learned about the various >Native American tribes they had studied. > >Should the school have allowed the Court of Honor, or does this cross some >constitutional line? > >Obviously, schools can't involve students in religious practices. But if >the ceremony is a "reenactment", or adaptation, of the Native American >practice, is it permissible in a public school? Is it constitutional? > >Risky business > >There's no court ruling that directly addresses reenactments or adaptations >of religious ceremonies in a public-school classroom. But in my view, >assigning students to participate in a religious practice, even by way of >role-playing, risks violating both the establishment and free-exercise >clauses of the First Amendment. > >The establishment-clause problem might arise because role-plays that are >based on devotional or sacred practices put the teacher in the position of >promoting or denigrating religion. In this case, objecting parents could >argue that rites of passage are sacred moments in Native American >traditions (as they are in other religions and cultures). > >Reenactments could also trigger a free-exercise claim. Many parents don't >want their children participating in a religious activity not their own, >even if the activity is a role-play that isn't intended to be devotional. >Some teachers try to avoid this problem by asking for volunteers. But not >all students are aware of what might or might not violate the wishes of >their parents. > >At first glance, an adaptation such as the Court of Honor seems harmless >enough; it is probably a close call on both establishment and free-exercise >grounds. Such a practice may be far enough removed from explicitly >religious content so that it neither promotes religion nor violates the >conscience of students. > >But I'm still uneasy about it. If, for example, the Court of Honor were >modeled on a Bar Mitzvah ceremony or a Christian confirmation ritual, I >doubt that the school would allow it. The fact that it comes from Native >American tribes (where religious and cultural practices are often >inseparable) may make it seem less "religious" to outsiders. But to Native >Americans the ceremony remains sacred. > >Questionable effects > >Even if the First Amendment objections could be overcome, are role-plays of >religious ceremonies a good way to teach about religions and cultures? > >It's hard to say "no" to this proposition, since role-playing is such a >powerful and effective teaching tool. What student soon forgets reenacting >a key moment in history, a pivotal court case or a scene from a great play? > >But no matter how carefully planned or well-intentioned, the reenactment of >a sacred practice risks distorting the meaning of the faith involved. For >instance, does pretending to sit in meditation like a Buddhist monk, as one >teacher required, really qualify as a learning experience about Buddhism? >Or does it trivialize a practice considered sacred to millions of >Buddhists? Unlike a court trial or a political debate, religious ceremonies >are sacred moments that are difficult, if not impossible, to role-play >without stripping them of all meaning. > >But what if a teacher gets the green light from a member of the clergy or >from a tribal chief? Does that solve some of these problems? Let's assume, >for example, that a local rabbi has no objection to public-school kids >role-playing the Seder meal during Passover (a practice I've seen in a >number of classrooms). Does that make the activity acceptable in the eyes >of the faithful? > >I don't think so. A religious leader or a member of a tribe doesn't speak >for an entire community. Although some groups may object less than others >to ceremonial role-playing, the general principle remains the same: >Re-creating sacred moments risks trivializing and misrepresenting the >tradition involved. > >I hesitate to discourage those creative teachers who work hard to make >learning exciting and immediate for their students. But the constitutional >and educational problems are sufficient to recommend against adapting >sacred practices or role-playing religious ceremonies. > >Rituals and ceremonies indigenous to various religions and cultures can be >presented through audiovisual materials or described by a guest speaker. >This approach protects the integrity of the religions being studied and >safeguards the consciences of both students and parents. > >Your questions and comments are welcome. Write to Charles Haynes, The >Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. >22209. >E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >-- >____________________________________________________________ >Walter Bell >President, Georgia Chapter >Americans United for Separation of Church & State >PO Box 79174 >Atlanta GA 30357-7174 >voice mail: 404-607-0660 >e-mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >web site: http://www.auga.org > <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
