such as an increase in the violence on television could also be considered as a cause of moral decline. Therefore it cannot be concluded that the elimination of prayer in the public school system is the direct reason for a moral decline. Geisler’s ninth argument uses the terms secularism and human secularism interchangeably. He also offers a definition of human secularism and states that the government’s policy of forbidding prayer could lead to the establishment of a “religion of secularism.” According to the American Heritage Dictionary the terms secularism and human secularism have two different definitions. It states secularism is “The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education” and secular humanism is “An outlook or a philosophy that advocates human rather than religious values.” Therefore to use these terms interchangeably is incorrect. This makes Justice Potter’s statement (“establishment of a religion of secularism”), take on a whole new meaning. If secularism is simply a belief in the separation of religion and public education a “religion” of secularism is constitutionally correct. Geisler’s definition of “human secularism” violates the rules of definition. Geisler states secular humanism as the non-belief in God. This definition does not have a genus, it uses a negative term, and is too broad. This definition can also include Atheist who also do not believe in a higher power. I have first hand experience dealing with prayer in school. I went to parochial school for 13 years, 13 of which I was not a Catholic and 5 of which I was not a Christian. Although we were never “forced” to pray and Catholicism was not my family’s religion, at a young age I said the Catholic prayers because I did not know the difference and simply followed what everyone else aro...
