Religion in public education Religion in school can be defined as the practice of any personal religious belief or act in a place of education. To say that religion is a topic of great interest to many people in the United States today is an understatement. The debate on the separation of church and state has continued unabated for years. With many different perspectives on the issue and even more opinions on how it should be handled. From the beginning, many people questioned the role religion played in education. Should schools teach religion? If so, can they do so impartially? Will they misinterpret religion? How many people would be offended? Would we be better off without it to avoid controversy? The problem is: can we really answer any of these arguments without the other side disagreeing? Many of these questions have their roots in the same controversy occurring in schools today. Aside from the separation of church and state, one of the most hotly debated topics regarding religious education is prayer in school. While some believe that prayer in school is constructive for the development of a child and his or her faith, others may conclude that it could completely denounce a child's faith. Because this is an ongoing controversy, further research into the question of whether or not religion should be allowed in public education usually boils down to two main points: the First Amendment and is religion good for our children? Could we potentially reach a compromise or could the two opposing sides meet somewhere in the middle? The first major reason those who support religion in our schools look to their country's Constitution... middle of the paper... the Establishment Clause. Np, 2010. Web. 27 April 2014. The Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New. Cambridge: Printed by John Field ..., 1668. Print."Salford Town Council." Why is Religious Education (RE) important? -. Np, May 13, 2011. Web. April 27, 2014. "Constitutional Argument: The First Amendment." USConstitution.net. January 3, 2011. February 27, 2011. Haynes, Charles C. and Oliver Thomas. Finding common ground: A guide to religious freedom in public schools. [And. new and updated. Nashville, TN: First Amendment Center, 2007. Print.Stone, Andrea. “Most think the founders wanted a Christian United States.” . USA Today, September 13, 2007. Web. April 27, 2014. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-11 Amendment_N.htm?POE=click-refer>."Establishment Clause." . First Amendment Center, September 16, 2011. Web. . .