I n discussions about whether or not public schools may teach moral values, an important distinction must not be lost. Opponents' voices tend to insist that to teach moral values in public schools is to teach religion and therefore a violation of the separation of church and state. Though this is not the case, their perspective has held sway in recent decades but, thankfully, is being reevaluated. V alues talk can be threatening since values touch the deeply personal in life, and they do, in people of religious faith, become intertwined with the religious dimension. Values talk can be confusing, too, because of its complexity.
Values come in various shapes and sizes, but simply put, a value is something of worth.
S ome values are distinctly moral, having to do with right and wrong. For example, people with religious faith may believe strongly that, if peace and happiness are to be achieved in a school or community, individuals must treat each other with respect. They must also respect each other's property, and must act in caring ways toward each other. Violent behaviors, stealing, lying, cheating, are disrespectful and morally wrong. R eligious faith adds to this setting a perspective which includes the believer's relationship with the Divine.