Religion In Schools???

After reading the two pieces of information from the U.S. News and World Report and Library of Congress websites, it is apparent that the debate over religion in schools will always be a hot topic in American education. The article from U.S. News over the use finding weaknesses in Darwin's Theory of Evolution in sciences classes seemed to be more aimed toward not allowing the weaknesses to be mentioned. The article seemed to be in favor of the the atheist family from Chicago and the leading biologists in Texas. The article was not in favor of the social conservatives group trying to allow for the weaknesses to be spotted and mentioned in science textbooks. The other article from the Library of Congress took a different approach yet it was the same. I feel as if it was saying that the Jehovah witness families did not have to salute the flag because it violated their first amendment right. Although the article was not debating two groups who were for and against religion like in the other article, they were still debating as to how much religion can be forced upon someone in schools.

I feel like we have to follow our Constitution to be fair. I know that there is debate as to how it can be interpreted and that is why we rely on our Supreme Court Judges to make these decisions. I just feel as if we should have the option in schools to pray, salute the flag, discuss weaknesses in theories of evolution, etc. Where I draw the line is when someone is made to do these things and with consequences if they do not do so. I am a Christian and I believe in God with all of my being, but I do not believe it is my job to force one of my students in school to believe the same way I do. I am a teacher at school and I ethically have to uphold my position. Now if a child ever asks me personally about my religion I will explain to them because then they have opened the door, but this is not something that I have the right to stand up and force on my class.

I have struggled personally with this situation the last three years that I have been teaching. I want so badly to talk to some of my middle school students about God and what he can do for their lives, yet I know if I do there is a great chance that I will lose my job and possibly career. I am not sure how to personally excuse myself from not being a soul saver 100% of the time. It is still something that I am personally dealing with. Where do we draw the line as teachers. If we are Christians first before we are teachers then how do we carry out our duties as a Christian to spread the word of God yet keep our careers at the same time?