Joy to the World… Too Religious?

It is December, which also means that the holiday spirit is in the air for many people. Brooklyn Benzel, a 13 year old home-schooled girl, decided that she would play “Joy to the World” for her piano assignment. However, after submitting a video sample of her recital, she was shut down by a California charter school because her song choice was too religious.

Being a popular and well known Christmas song, her mom was baffled and angry that they shut her daughter down. Additionally, she argued that the lyrics would not be sang, but just the melody would be played. Her mother stated that she was tired of being attacked for their Christian faith, and the fact that it was even happening was alarming. The school even went out of their way to provide, in their opinion, a more suitable song: “Jingle Bells”, as it did not contain words like savior and heaven.

After emailing back and forth with the school officials and threatening to take legal action, the decision was reversed the by director of communications and development for IEM Schools, allowing Brooklyn to recite the song. It was stated that:

” At South Sutter Charter School our goal is to provide students as much flexibility as is allowable by law in all aspects of their education. We recognize and value our students’ First Amendment freedoms, and acknowledge that all public schools must be nonsectarian…”(Rachel, Director of IEM)

Nevertheless, the company who manages the charter school was already facing allegations of religious discrimination and a possible lawsuit. Obviously religious freedom is a concern, not only at these schools, but as we continue to see, worldwide.

Parke, Caleb. “California Charter School Reverses Decision after It Rejects ‘Joy to the World’ for Being ‘Religious’.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 28 Nov. 2019, http://www.foxnews.com/us/joy-to-the-world-california-charter-school-rejected.

New Religion, or Declining Religion?

The world is constantly evolving, and as it does, so does humanity. Recently, the idea that society is secularizing has became prevalent; and although religion seems to be diminishing in significance, it is actually transforming, according to Smith. In his article, he conveys the idea that believing-which is how many define religion-is part of being human. In other words, humanity will always rely on religion.

In Smith’s article, he attacks different newfound religions but focuses on the shift towards an anti-Christian society. One being trans-humanism; which is, we as a human race can evolve beyond our current limitations: physically and mentally.  Recent ideas of this religion include body alterations and brain implants to surpass human limitations. Additionally, they are furthering investigations into a system that can duplicate an actual person’s mind, so that when they pass away, there are still ways to communicate with an artificial version of them. To this, Smith comments that the new neo-religions we see rising in the contemporary era are anti-human, which seems normal as the evolution of technology grows as well. On the contrary; Attorney General William Barr recently spoke out about the steep decline of religion in America. Nevertheless, he believes this downfall of Christianity will cause a loss of meaning. Barr does not see this decline as a a growth of new religion.

According to Smith, there are many religions emerging, and we can only expect to watch as more arise. These may not be what people consider traditional religions, but as humans, we always have a religion. But Barr sees this disinterest in tradition as a future dilemma. The question of whether or not religion is disappearing can lead to an even more difficult question, what actually defines religion?

Smith, Wesley J. “Not Less Religion, Just Different Religion.” National Review, National Review, 21 Oct. 2019, http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/not-less-religion-just-different-religion/.

Ambrose, Jay. “Opinion: William Barr Is Right about Religion.” Detroit News, The Detroit News, 25 Oct. 2019, http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2019/10/25/opinion-william-barr-right-religion/4088368002/.