Catholicism In American Schools

The struggle over religion in American schools relates back to the 1850’s, a struggle that has been through much upheaval and reform and is rooted from religious conflict brought to the United States. From the reading, Catholicism and American Freedom, by John McGreevy, I have learned where many of the problems with Protestants and Catholicism in American schools emerged. The story of Whall, in the introduction portrays the struggle of Protestant resistance that Catholicism has constantly seen during the 1800’s in America. After reading the introductory paragraph I have raised the question, should Whall be discharged for believing in Catholicism? Whether or not it was acceptable in school, Whall decided to follow his own beliefs, thus being
discharged. I find this story of Whall to have a relation to our class discussion, based on the connection between Catholicism and Democracy. This story raises the question of whether or not the young man is given his civil liberties and freedom, which relates to democracy while being part of an American school, at the time promoted Protestant beliefs.
I believe in this reading, McGreevy is explaining how Catholicism’s challenge to the common schools in 1840’s lead to a triumph of Catholicism in America. Struggle over whether to recite the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments in the common schools, lead to something more than just young men being discharged from schools, but rather young men expressing their religious liberty and proving that as an American citizen they have the right to freedom of religion and the liberty to practice whatever religion they choose. As for my question, should Whall be discharged from school for believing in Catholicism? I would respond no. Tocqueville writes about democracy and how it is the wave of the future moving towards equality. America as a democracy, gives each individual the freedom to express their own opinions on religion, including Whall. Whall exemplifies individuals in American school fighting for a movement towards equality rather than one single-minded view. Tocqueville explains that democracy needs religion to guide it towards its better self. He explains that Catholicism and democracy work well together in America and this shows that the two can work together efficiently. As for democracy, this means that more than one religion can thrive in America. The Introduction chapter expresses that in the 1840’s European immigrants made Catholicism the single largest religious denomination in the United States.
I feel that Catholicism has come a long way since the times of mass anti-Catholicism mentioned in McGreevy’s book. I feel that McGreevy’s explanation that Catholic identification with God promotes a Catholic revival with the emphasis on a more loving, forgiving God, and along with a more appreciated clerical sympathy in the confessional is what Catholicism is portrayed as in our American society today. Personally, I feel accepted by the Catholic church and know that if I am in need I can always turn to confession. In my opinion this identification with Catholicism has helped its spread and has made Catholicism so prominent in the United States. The one riot in the Eliot School facilitated a large following of 1,150 young men into St.Mary’s Catholic school. I see this as a relation to public schools today where the student body deliver the pledge of allegiance and recite “under God.” I believe that this shows that the predominance of God is still around in our public school system. While Catholic schools proclaim prayers, God is still in our everyday lives. As for democracy, today, students have the right to skip over the reciting “God” all together. As we look back at the Eliot School case, freedom in the classroom today is something that has significantly changed and shows the progress of individual rights in
accordance to religion. As Catholicism continued to grow in the United States, one major aspect that I believe changed was a more “Americanized” Catholic following compared to the Roman Catholic following.
In chapter one, we follow the story of Bishop Blanc, and how he saw the Creoles to be dangerously lax in their religious practices. I feel that this as a major theme today, as I see some Catholics in America to be very lax. I am personally familiar with many Catholics that believe in Jesus Christ and God but, do not attend church, aside from the occasional Christmas Eve Mass. I do not think this means they are not Catholic, but I can also see the other side that believes this to be offensive. To those who worship more deeply, followers of the Catholic faith who are not consistent in their worship can offend those who are deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. I believe that part of the American way is to be able to practice and worship freely, and in being a free nation, Catholicism has had to adapt to this lifestyle of the American democracy. I agree with Tocqueville’s belief that religion and democracy in America can work well
together.