A Conservative Christian View on Values - little chat with Focus on the Family, an ultra-religious group that opposes anybody or anything that doesn't agree with their views

School Administrator, Sept, 1995 by Linda Page

Whose Religion?

The danger that we must guard against as we attempt to repair this damage is restrictive control of behavior without the internal moral compass that comes from an acceptance of God's law. A concern is that pure social utilitarianism could lead to a controlled society where those in power choose the acceptable behaviors.

Keeping that caution in mind, upon which belief system should our virtues be based? In American culture, they historically have been rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition. It is, after all, Moses who is holding aloft the Ten Commandments above the 3rd Street entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court building.

And what's the source of the Golden Rule--the one that the diverse leaders in Aspen cited? Look up what Jesus said as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): "However you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

So many overt references to the God of the Old and New Testaments exist in Washington, D.C.--inscriptions at the Jefferson and Lincoln memorials and in the House of Representatives chamber--that one might be tempted to think that the Founding Fathers put a high value on religious belief in public life. (And you would be correct!)

And how about today? Which world religions are most representative of American culture?

A 1994 Harris poll reveals that 95 percent of Americans profess a belief in God. Which religious I affiliations do they associate with? More ore than 96 percent of those professing religious faith identified themselves as Christian and another 2.5 percent considered themselves Jewish, according to the 1992 National Survey of Religion and Politics conducted by the University of Akron Survey Research Center. All other religions (Islam , Hinduism, Buddhism) had a combined total of just over 1 percent.

Religious Discussion

Ideally, students should learn responsibility and the Golden Rule in the context of striving to live a godly lifestyle. These standards still can be the goal--even though religion cannot be taught in public schools. First Amendment case law does not permit religious instruction in the classroom, but it doesn't bar a classroom discussion of religion as the source of character or morality.

For example, it is perfectly legal to discuss what motivated people to establish the first universities, the first hospitals, democratic government, the abolition movement it, and the civil rights movement. In each case, the chief motivator was religious belief.

Using copies of original source documents from American history is an excellent way to teach the virtues espoused by our founding fathers. A variety of creative ways exist for teachers to do this at all levels.

A couple books that provide excellent historical information from original sources are The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and From Sea to Shining Sea by Robert Lechie. Consider also the Congressional Record. The entire Bible can be found in older editions of it.

Also, don't overlook the Kentucky statute that addresses the reading and posting in public schools of texts and documents of American history and heritage. It states, "There shall be no content-based censorship of American history or heritage in the Commonwealth based on religious references in these writings, documents, and records."