Gutek discusses how religion in schools can create a sense of national identity. He delves into the historical importance of the church in countries like Italy and Spain and the importance of Judaism in Israel. When the government sponsors a religion and teaches it in school, it can have a profound impact on national identity. It, like language and cultural artifacts, can unite a country by creating a bond between citizens and state. In America and Western Europe, church and state are separate and religion does not create the same national identity. This is especially true when there is not a recognized national religion.
As a Jew, I attended a Catholic high school, where religion is a strong part of the school. We had a go to church twice a week, take four years of Christian doctrine and some classes were taught by monks. After experiences this, I feel that Gutek is correct in saying that religion does not create a sense of national identity in school. Religion is reserved for private schools instead of public schools. Because of this, most students do not have any religion in school and do not feel that religion is a part of having a strong national identity.
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