Discussion Questions by Coley Welch

Discussion Questions

cawelch2_1 — 2025-10-30 22:02:32 UTC

Your answers are for reference during the discussion.

Is putting chaplains in classrooms a violation of the Freedom of Religion?

What benefits (if any) do you see from hiring chaplains?

What issues do you see with this law?

Do you think this could impede instruction in any way? In other words, is this a slippery slope?

sharold31 — 2025-10-30 22:04:41 UTC

Most schools are woefully understaffed with counselors and mental health professionals. I suppose one benefit to the chaplains is that at least there's someone there.

2025-10-30 22:05:40 UTC

Is putting chaplains in classrooms a violation of the Freedom of Religion? Yes!
What benefits (if any) do you see from hiring chaplains? This may provide comfort and support for the specific group of students that identify with Christianity, but this does not foster inclusivity at all.
What issues do you see with this law? Not inclusive or considerate of those who have different beliefs. I also find it irresponsible that this was implemented as a response to a school shooting.
Do you think this could impede instruction in any way? In other words, is this a slippery slope? Yes!

2025-10-30 22:05:40 UTC

Yes, especially if the district is not also hiring a councilor to be available for each and every faith as well as non-faith based councilors.

mbrown4_32 — 2025-10-30 22:06:44 UTC

I don' t think that putting Chaplains in schools is a violation of religious freedoms as long as the students are not being forced to see them.

The benefits are some students, who are religious (christian) might feel more comfortable talking to a chaplain instead of a counselor.

I think the issues are why is it just Chaplains, and how much of the billion dollars is going into this? Schools asked for mental health professionals and not worship leaders.

This is definitely a slippery slope, public education and religion should not be intertwined,

The issue I see is the lack of specification regarding the chaplain’s role, as well as any training and certification requirements. This can lead to a woeful experience.

2025-10-30 22:06:50 UTC

2025-10-30 22:07:01 UTC

This could impeded on instruction by influencing how students view certain ideas as they relate to the core subjects!

lrjarret — 2025-10-30 22:07:56 UTC

Is putting chaplains in classrooms a violation of the Freedom of Religion?

Depends, I think children having access to a chaplains could be beneficial as long as ALL children can access one of their religion. I also think they should be available, not in the classroom.

What benefits (if any) do you see from hiring chaplains?

Humans society has had chaplain like positions as far back as their have been humans. They fill a niche of an advisor.

What issues do you see with this law?

For one its implied that there will be only be Christian chaplains , and their is also the issue of funding. I also want to point out that in theses types of discussions people lump all Christians together, when there is a lot of variety.

Do you think this could impede instruction in any way? In other words, is this a slippery slope?

Well first off slippery slope is a logically fallacy. But, I can think of several ways it could be problematic

Michael

2025-10-30 22:08:41 UTC

I think it is tough to say if it doesn't follow the freedom of religion act. Some may respect students choice and others may not which to me is too risky to allow.
They could be good mentors to students that need it. Under the condition they do NOT impose their religion onto the students. It's fine to share that they are christian but they should not try or be allowed to put that religion unto other students.
the law of allowing chaplains blurs the barrier between religion and school. I feel like it can start to influence cirriculum slowly and overall I think it's a bad idea.
Tough to say if it is a slippery slope. But I think that it COULD become a slippery slope which to me is already too slippery and shouldn't even be allowed if there is a chance.

2025-10-30 22:09:35 UTC

I do not think it's a violation of freedoms but it does only help a certain group of students, not all.

The most concerning thing in my view is the fact that they don't have to have a license to be a chaplain in a school. While, yes, more resources for students to receive counseling is a good thing, the lack of training specific to a counseling/school context gives me pause

erschmal — 2025-10-30 22:09:40 UTC

2025-10-30 22:10:31 UTC

Is putting chaplains in classrooms a violation of the Freedom of Religion? I believe it is a violation. It seems to me that they should not be allowed.

What benefits (if any) do you see from hiring chaplains? Mental health professionals are in short supply, so this could be an area where they might be useful but I would advocate for doing so in an after school position rather than during school.
What issues do you see with this law? More forceful indoctrination of students and belief systems. Not being inclusive or accepting of other beliefs.

Do you think this could impede instruction in any way? In other words, is this a slippery slope? Yes. I work in an environment that caters to home schooled parents, many of whom do so for various religious reasons, so I have to make sure that everyone feels included.

Freedom of Religion

erschmal — 2025-10-30 22:12:05 UTC

I see this as a violation of the freedom of religion act because if I am a student who is in need of a counselor, and the only counselor I have access to (because of a variety of reasons that could come up) is a chaplain of a religion that is not my own, I would not be comfortable with that and would not feel supported. Also, students may come into the counseling center with a variety of religious trauma that could affect how safe they feel in the counseling space.