Author Question: In your opinion, does having the phrase In God We Trust on American banknotes and swearing ... (Read 66 times)

OSWALD · **on:** Jul 10, 2018

In your opinion, does having the phrase In God We Trust on American banknotes and swearing government officials in on the Bible violate freedom of religion? Why or why not? Be sure to include in your answer the appropriate definition of freedom

of religion as outlined in the textbook.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

According to the textbook, equality for women has improved significantly during the twentieth and the early twenty-first centuries.

Are there any areas in which women are still at a disadvantage in American society? If so, what are they? If not, provide evidence for why you think they are no longer at a disadvantage.

What will be an ideal response?

kxciann · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 10, 2018

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1, Define religious freedom as the idea that individuals should be free to choose and practice their religious faith and that the government should not establish a preferred or official religion.
2, Discuss how In God We Trust might not violate this definition because it does not specify any religion and thus does not interfere with the practice or non-practice of a person's faith. Discuss how it might violate the definition just by mentioning God.
3, Explain how swearing on the Bible could be construed as violating this definition because it advances one particular religion, Christianity, over others, and thus government would need to allow officials the option to be sworn in on a different text so as not to violate the notion of freedom to practice one's religious faith.
4, Provide a clear and effective conclusion.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1, Discuss that by championing the American creed of equality, the women's rights movement has been able to make significant gains in support for women's equality as noted in Figure 2.2.
2, Discuss areas where women may still be at a disadvantage in American society, such as sex-based discrimination including harassment and inequality in pay for equal work. Or, if the student feels that women are no longer at a disadvantage, indicate whyfor example, there are increased numbers of women in positions of political power such as Hillary Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, and increased opportunities for women in fields such as law and medicine that have traditionally been dominated by men.
3, Provide a clear and effective conclusion.