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John Foust - The Power Team
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Here is a March 10 survey of opinions from high school students in Janesville regarding the religion in schools, and my response. (I don't know if my response was ever published.)

- John

Young Views

(Published Saturday, March 10, 2007 - Copyright 2007 Janesville Gazette)

Question: Efforts to separate religion from public schooling have made recent news. First it was keeping Christianity out of holiday programs. Then it was whether a school choir could attend a member's funeral at a church. Then it was whether to hold assemblies featuring the Power Team, ministers who fight drug and alcohol abuse and might invite students to an evening crusade. Are schools doing a good job of keeping religion out or going too far?

Religion is one area that the school district has become far too sensitive over. As an agnostic, it troubles me when religious organizations enter schools to preach, but these occurrences are very few. For a society that props itself up as open - minded, Americans are strangely sensitive to the slightest sting. - Lindsay Bolan, 17, Janesville, Parker High senior

It's a free country, so students should be able to express their religion in school. No school should have a rule making students keep God out of their school life. Some students are very religious and need prayer and God in their lives to help them get through the day. - Renee Burnside, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are going too far with keeping religion out of programs. People believe the Constitution says to separate church and state, but nowhere are those words written. California schools tried getting rid of the "God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. What is so wrong with saying "One nation under God"? - Ali Butler, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

The fact that religions are being pushed out of schools saddens me. Different religions represent different cultures. Being around different types of people can help us to be more open - minded to other beliefs. I would enjoy learning about different religions instead of the subject being taboo and off - limits. - Allie Stroner, 18, Janesville, Craig High senior

Religion will always be in schools, no matter what people do. The country was built on religious freedom, so it should not matter if religion is practiced freely in school as long as all religions have equal opportunity. - Alex Benedict, 17, Janesville, Parker High junior

Schools are doing well. However, when schools have assemblies, the Power Teams are usually Christian. I understand the majority of the United States is Christian, but there are other religions, too. Where are assemblies featuring Buddhists, Scientologists, or agnostics? Though assemblies don't push Christianity, they should include other religions, too. - Amy Mathews, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

Keeping religion out of schools necessarily advances a doctrine of prohibition, freedom from religion, not freedom of religion. Schools have an obligation to create an environment in which all people can express their beliefs and be treated with respect. A prohibition on religious discourse and expression stifles thought and diversity. - Lucas Moench, 18, Janesville, Parker High senior

Overall, the level of separation is good. School needs to be a place where students of every race, religion and creed are neither given preferential treatment nor ostracized. The School District of Janesville does a good job of this. - Jason Mumma, 17, Janesville, Parker High junior

Schools aren't doing a good job keeping religion out. They won't celebrate religious holidays but allow religious groups to perform. They contradict themselves by not letting the choir perform at a member's funeral but inviting a gospel group to perform at school weeks later. Schools need to make a decision. - Thyra Brudos, 18, Parker High senior

The schools are going way too far! We as students should be able to make our own decisions on religion. Why is it so wrong to believe in God? Why should those who don't believe have more power over the ones who do? - Lindsey Beals, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I think it is taken way too far. The separation takes away our rights. If we want to be religious, let us. If the teachers want to relate something to Christianity, let them. Give us our rights back. Let us! Give us the freedom to pray before lunch. Let us! - Asha Norton, 16, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High junior

I think schools are pushing it a little too far. As long as it doesn't become a "Mine is better than yours" type of thing, I don't see why it's a problem to have religion mentioned in school. It may even open some people's minds about different beliefs. - Kevin Tully, 15, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

The teaching and enforcement of religion should stay out of public schools, but what about the expression? Anyone should be allowed to express their religion appropriately. When they start banning certain activities related to religious groups, they're not banning religion. They're banning our freedom of expression. - Abby Arnold, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

The separation of religion and school is taken too far. A school's choir should be able to sing at a student's funeral regardless of where it is held, and guest speakers should be able to lecture regardless of religious affiliation, as long as they leave religion out of their presentation. - - Elisha Horner, 18, Janesville, Parker High senior

I think schools are doing a pretty good job of keeping state and religion separated in school. They have changed all the breaks away from religion. For example, it is no longer called Christmas break but instead winter break. I don't think schools are going too far with this. - Andrew Cullen, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Religion should be allowed in school as long as nobody tries to convert anyone else. Everyone should be allowed to express their own beliefs, but those beliefs should not be forced on others. The more others are pressured, the more problems we will have. If only we could get along. - Ben Gartland, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are going too far to separate religion - more specifically, Christianity - from schools. Students are exposed to many religious and pagan holidays, like Hanukkah and Halloween, and even New Age religion - for example, the visiting hypnotist at Craig. Is it fair that schools should limit Christian assemblies and not others? - Sierra Galfano, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Teaching religion in schools and expressing it at school are two completely different things. Schools are doing fine keeping religion out of the curriculum, but going as far as banning anything even remotely related to religion is wrong. Students should have the right to express their beliefs anywhere at anytime. - Emily Clark, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

I think schools are doing well with religion in school, from what I know. Students are able to wear their "Jesus is my Homeboy" shirts and support God, we just don't pray in classrooms. Religion isn't bad, and we shouldn't have to keep quiet about God at school. - Jessica Barone, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Everyone has their own beliefs. Schools are supposed to promote individuality, not try to hide it and say that it doesn't exist. We should be able to learn about other cultures and the religions that go along with them so we can all learn to be more accepting. - Ashley Waldhart, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

I believe the public school system has taken the topic of religion too seriously. It is ridiculous when schools do not allow teachers to put a Christmas tree up. Even worse is when our school choir is banned from singing at a Christian funeral for Parker students. - Peter Nicoloff, 16, Janesville, Parker High sophomore

Schools shouldn't be trying to do a good job of keeping religion out of public school. Religion is a big part of many students' lives, mine included. Allowing religious activities isn't forcing any student to change the way they believe. It is just letting students keep their system of beliefs. - Murphy Larson, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I think that public schools are going too far with religion. I came from a Catholic school, and this is my first time being at public schools. If we want to honor our religion in school, then that's OK, as long as it's OK with the other students. - Kelsey Kennedy, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

They are taking religion too far. I am a Catholic, and if I was in a class who knew someone who died and we couldn't go to the funeral, I would be very angry. Religions should be shared with everyone and not hidden just because of school. - Marie Bisiorek, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

People think it's OK if we don't teach religion during school, but schools bring in outside groups that are religious, and they do religious shows after school. I'm religious, and it's not fair that we can't talk about religion freely. Religion is just a way of expressing yourself differently. - Ashley F. Shabazz, 18, Janesville, Craig High School senior

Schools are doing a good job of keeping religion out of schools. Christianity is all right to be in school programs as long as each program also includes other religions. The choir should have been able to sing in the funeral because it was an out - of - school activity. - Nicole Strieker, 15, Janesville, Parker High sophomore

The public schools do an exceptional job of separating religion from public schooling. People need to understand the difference between promoting a religion or informing students of religion in relation to history and other school materials that it may relate to. - Carol Moore, 16, Janesville, Parker High junior

I think we should be able to talk about our religion in school, but we should do it carefully. We should be able to celebrate what we believe in but respect others' rights if they do not believe in the same. It's up to the person and their family. - Jacqueline Benish, 14, Parker High freshman

Schools have gone too far to keep religion out. Students in the choir should have been able to go as the Parker choir because they are doing it on their own time. They weren't there to sing about God or anything like that; they just wanted to honor their fellow peer. - D.J. Duran, 16, Parker High School

Schools are going a little too far. Keeping Christianity out of holiday programs helps to not offend people, but not letting a choir sing at a funeral because it's at a church is going a little too far. If someone's not comfortable with it, then they shouldn't have to go. - Tiffany Franklin, 18, Janesville, Parker High senior

I think schools have gone a little too far concerning religion. I understand that everyone has different beliefs, but these beliefs should be celebrated, not shunned. - Lizzy Conley, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are going too far with keeping religion out of schools. They don't have to teach religion, but if a choir wanted to go to another student's funeral that's being held in a church, they should be able to. Schools should find a balance with religion without going too far. - Casey McMahon, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I think schools are going too far in efforts to separate religion from public schooling. I think it should be allowed, but at a minimum, and students should be able to choose to participate. They should also try to keep opportunities equal between religions. - Anna Mayer, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are going too far in keeping out religion. They are because if a student does not like a religious event that a school might have, the student could bring a note from his or her parents saying that the student does not wish to attend the event. - Alex Milbrandt, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are going way too far. If kids want to talk about religion or say "Merry Christmas" freely, then they should be able to. This year, I have gotten scolded for talking about Jesus Christ in a class. It's ridiculous. - Lauren Magrath, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools have tried so hard to keep religion out, but the question is why? Yes, differences in religious views could cause conflicts, but it's not like our schools are 100 percent peaceful now anyway. I say lighten up, and let the students deal with religion on their own. - Naomi Coffren, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Our schools today take religion out of school too much. Schools can't teach Christianity, but schools can teach evolution. Both are theories, neither proven. If schools teach one, they should teach the other. Schools today try too hard to take religion out, and in the process take it too far. - Stephanie Jarvais, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Religion should be allowed to be in school because everyone has a right to have their own opinion. Religion is still in schools even when the schools try to stop it. Students should be able to share their religious beliefs. - Brielle Powers, 14, Parker High freshman

Just last year, every motivational speaker at Parker High School had a message to say about his or her God. Everyone is entitled to their own religious expression, just do not try to convert others in a school. Education should be based on fact, not an opinion. - Mike Strieker, 18, Janesville, Parker High senior

At a Catholic grade school, we were told that in high school there was not going to be anything that would offend anyone from a certain religion. But to be honest, I don't see that. There are teachers who think students are Christian, and there was also a Christmas tree. - Gunnar Shuler, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are going too far to keep religion out of them. Religion is a big part of a lot of us, and it is part of what makes us diverse. Instead of omitting diversity, we should be celebrating it. - Haley Haas, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

The schools are doing a great job of keeping religion away from public schools. I feel that if people want to learn about their religion, they should go to church, not incorporate it into school activities. - Nicole Buggs, 14, Milton, Craig High freshman

Schools are going a little bit too far in trying to keep religion out of schools. People are able to choose what they do or don't believe in, and if something is presented in schools that they don't agree with, they should just be able to ignore it. - Kelsey Swales, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools mostly keep religion out of the classroom. Teachers never speak of their beliefs or criticize other religions. When teachers do speak about a religion, they never refer to a specific god. There is never a "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hanukah" poster up in the halls. - Scott Fischer, Janesville, Craig High freshman

The amount of religion in schools is fine because there are cultural and historical things dealing with religion that should be learned in school and can't be ignored, but nobody is being told to be a certain religion or even religious at all. - J.P. Merz, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are doing an OK job; they just need to make sure that they show all sides of a religious issue. - Jodie Surber, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

No, I think the district has gone too far after the choir incident. If I had been the student at that school, I would've wanted in my will the choir that I had participated in at school to sing at my funeral. Some parts of Christianity should be allowed. - Dan Yazumbek, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools can only teach the history of religion, not their beliefs. When a school loses a student, they should sing at a church because it's only paying respects to a loss, and when the ministers come to talk about drugs, they aren't teaching a religion, only the dangers of drugs. - Jennie Dahl, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I think everyone is overreacting to the whole religion thing. I think if something involves religion at school, it should be optional and just leave it at that. Craig isn't having problems with it as far as I know, so I'm not going to worry about it. - Tanner Davis, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are going too far with religion because if you go to a Christian school but you're Catholic, you're treated differently. Also, because some religions don't celebrate Christmas and some do, the ones that don't get told they should celebrate it. So therefore I think it's gone too far. - Amanda Brushwood, 15, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I believe that schools are going too far in keeping religion out of school. The schools should accept views of all their students but not be biased toward any groups. I believe religion should be accepted but not forced. - Stephen Olson, 15, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

Yes, schools are doing a good job keeping religion separate from school because they should not be trying to force a religion on anyone; school and religion are two different subjects and should stay that way. - Kolby Venema, 16, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I think schools are doing a good job of separating religion from school. In an English class, we do read the Bible, but religion is not forced on us. If there is an activity at a church, it might be brought up but it is always the student's choice. - Erin McClellan, 16, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I think schools are going too far to keep religion out. We are given a choice on whether we want to believe in Christianity or another religion, so we should have that choice on whether or not we want to read it in school. Religion is a choice that only you can make. - Tyler Meyer, 15, Darien, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

Religion is controversial everywhere, not only in schools. But in schools, it's wrong for students to wear Christian symbols when if I even mention that I'm atheist, I get criticized and judged by students and adults. Religion is part of your rights, but religion shouldn't be recognized inside public schools. - Ashley Hotzel, 15, Delavan, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I think schools are going a little too far with keeping religion out of school. If they want, I think kids should be able to express their religion humbly but without forcing anyone to join them. - Jake Drefs, 15, Elkhorn, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I'm sure schools somewhere are going too far, but as far as this one, they're not. I really don't hear much about religion problems in our school, but then again we are a small school. So I believe schools are doing a good job at keeping it out, and they're not going too far. - Mike McErlean, 16, Delavan - Darien High School

I think that schools are going a little bit too far because I think that if a family's religion is not expressed at school then it should be OK. If a student's religion is a problem to schools and a school will only allow this type of belief, then what do we have, a private school? - Coty Seefeldt, 16, Delavan - Darien High School

I am sure that schools are doing a good job at keeping religion out of the schools very well. There are no religious fights in school; they don't even talk about it that much. If schools keep up what they are doing, they will do just fine. - Steve Mestan, 16, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

Schools are doing well. However, when schools have assemblies, the Power Teams are usually Christian. I understand the majority of the United States is Christian, but there are other religions, too. Where are assemblies featuring Buddhists, Scientologists, or agnostics? Though assemblies don't push Christianity, they should include other religions, too. - Amy Mathews, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

School and religion are two very different things. For me to answer this question, I would say they are doing pretty well with the idea of keeping Christianity out of school. They should keep this out because kids need to learn regular academic courses such as biology, geometry, etc. - Drew Benzon, 15, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I think that they are going too far. I'm in choir myself, and if one of the members died, the choir should be allowed to go to his or her funeral. The school should have no say in it. - Christy Hoppe, 15, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I believe schools aren't keeping out religion, but in the elementary and middle schools they say the Pledge of Allegiance. So people don't or won't say the Pledge of Allegiance because "God" is in the Pledge of Allegiance. Not only not say it but turn away from the flag. - Mike Lieu, 15, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

There is always someone complaining about school and religion. Whoever this person may be, I disagree. My school does a wonderful job of not mentioning or referring to religion. At my school, I've never heard of anyone being pressured into religion and in this case no words are good words. - Erin Klade, 15, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

In my opinion, we need to be better about religion in school. For example, in most elementary schools they have Christmas pageants. Well not everyone celebrates Christmas, so instead we should just call it a winter pageant. This way, no one would be offended. - Joseph Turner, 16, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

I think schools are going overboard in keeping religion out. If we are allowed to share and be proud of our ethnicity, then why can't we share and be proud of our religion? I don't see schools saying blacks can't wear their colors! So why can't Christians support their religion? - Cheri Trussler, 15, Darien, Delavan - Darien High sophomore

Saying God or even mentioning anything to do with him these days is becoming worse than swearing in school. Although teachers could get away with swearing. If we are interested in religion over sinful nature, then where's the harm? Is the community scared? He isn't. - Katie Gosda, 18, Janesville, Craig High senior

In my opinion, schools are not going too far with religion. Schools educate, but they don't preach religion. As long as it is the student's choice to go to these programs or funerals, I think it's fine. - Crystal Campbell, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are doing a good job of keeping religion out of schools. Teachers are doing a good job of not expressing their opinions or trying to pressure an opinion either. I don't know of any clubs that have to do with different religions either. - Audry Wiskie, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools should have some limitation on how much religion is present in schools, but not a complete cutoff. Schools should allow things like students leaving for a funeral, or assemblies against things such as drugs. If religion doesn't try to change someone's opinion or free will, it should be allowed. - David Swanson, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are doing a fine job keeping religion out of schools. Kids are going to practice whatever religion they want. It doesn't necessarily mean they are going to come and preach it to everyone. Religion is out there; some just don't know how to deal with it yet. - Gabby Kutz, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are going too far with trying to keep religion out of schools. Students should be allowed to practice their religion how they want to. We, as a public, are making too big a deal of trying to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." - Joe Fox, 17, Janesville, Craig High senior

High Schools are doing a great job keeping religion separated from the schools. The schools will only bring religion into the conversation when it is necessary, and the other students seem to respect each others' decisions. This is a good way to keep everyone's religion choices separate. - Laura Groessl, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are going too far to limit religion in public schools. Just because Christianity makes some people uncomfortable does not mean the ones who believe in it should not be able to celebrate their beliefs in a program at school. - April Kath, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

They have done a pretty good job at keeping religion out. - Michelle Peaslee, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are doing a good job of keeping religion out. Nobody complains if we have a Christmas break because it's about Christianity. Students like breaks, and the schools don't force any students to join religion clubs. We can choose to go. - Mary Leibfried, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I think that the schools have gone too far. You should be able to make a choice to participate in events that include religious activities or not, and if someone didn't want to, then that's their choice. - Alex Crandall, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

You are not exposed to religion at Craig. Take it from me. I went to a parochial school for 10 years. The only reference to God or religion is in the Pledge of Allegiance, and it's only said on Mondays. That is the only reference I have seen at Craig. - Maria Hirsch, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Religious beliefs are a large part of what shapes a person's personality. These ideas do not have to be removed completely from school and could even be approached academically. We already touch on what specific religions believe in social science courses. What's wrong with saying "I believe…"? - Eric Fritz, 18, Janesville, Craig High senior

Schools are doing a great job at keeping religion out. Teachers are very considerate of other people's religions and watch what they are saying. Students also get to choose their classes and don't have to choose ones where they would be talking about religion. - Amanda Ellis, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Schools are doing a good job keeping religion out of school because I have never noticed a time at school when teachers have given out too much information that could offend somebody. - Emily Baker, 15, Janesville, Craig High freshman

Keeping religion out of school shouldn't be such a big deal. Unfortunately, schools have to make it an issue because so many students are easily offended when their religion is talked about in class. We should just believe what we want to believe and not care what others think. - Jamie Berg, 14, Janesville, Craig High freshman

I don't care strongly one way or another about religion in my school. I think the schools have done well in keeping fanatic groups from their students, but I also believe that the some policies go too far, especially when it comes to Christmas celebrations. - Tim Seeman, 18, Janesville, Parker High senior

My response

Overall, I was pleased by the comments made by students in "Young Views" on March 10 regarding religion and the public schools. I was impressed with the depth of understanding shown by many of these young adults. They are smart enough to see many of the conflicts and the reasons behind the rules that respect everyone's beliefs.

Yes, there were a few misconceptions. Students are free to pray in schools. Student participation in the Pledge of Allegiance is optional as well. Being taught the facts or the role of religion in the context of a class is one thing; compulsory prayer or required belief is another.

I just read a March 10 editorial in the Tribune newspaper in Ames, Iowa. The Power Team had just performed assemblies in their schools. Parents and a state legislator were upset by the way they invited students to the evening meetings. Our freedoms require constant vigilance and an informed public. The Power Team will play this trick over and over.

John Foust