I may be alone here, but I really wish there was more religious freedom in schools. Have you ever been writing something for class around winter time in which you mention “Christmas break”? Well, chances are you have, and chances also are that that particular assignment was given back to you, with the teacher asking you to change Christmas to winter.

School administrators seem to think that going as far as mentioning religion in schools would be enough to offend certain students, so now they just avoid the topic all together. But there are problems with this philosophy.

I am a Christian, but I’m not going to get offended if a Jew mentions Hannukah or Bar Mitzvah. I’m not going to get offended if a Muslim student begins praying at lunch. And anyone who does get offended by these things has problems of their own.

Back when my parents were growing up, they used to sing Christmas carols before Christmas break (I refuse to call it winter break). Now, if you as much as suggest the idea, you’ll get weird looks from the other students and a quick, but stern, “No” from the teachers.

Why can we say “under God” during the pledge of allegiance but not be allowed to sing Christmas carols? I’ve never met someone who was offended by the pledge of allegiance, so I really don’t see the problem with singing about a reindeer with a red nose or Santa.

There are other examples of lack of religious freedom, too. One time during class, a teacher (who’s name I won’t mention) was talking about contraception and homosexuality and why she condoned them, and at the same time time started talking about why religion, specifically the three Abrahamic faiths, were wrong for not condoning them.

However, when one muslim student started to calmly try to explain to the teacher why they believed what they believed, the teacher was quick to tell the student that “school is not the place to talk about religious beliefs.”

This type of stuff happens more often than you might think. Why is it not okay for students to voice their opinions whenever their faith is being attacked? Often times I have found a teacher condoning something that goes against what I believe, but I have been too afraid to speak up for fear of getting in trouble.

Of course, there are institutions at school specifically for religious conversation and debate, such as Echo Bible Study. These kinds of clubs are a good start, but it is not right to limit religion in school to just a few clubs. I am not in favor of making school a religious institution.

I think that that kind of system would take away our right to freedom of religion. However, what I am in favor of is making religion, all kinds of it, more acceptable in schools.