We should all be tolerant of other beliefs, even when they differ from our own. Allowing religion to play a larger role in public life may seem like a great idea to some. In a general way, there can be good that would come from this, but there are many different forms of religion. .
Fundamentalism is one of them, and this type of religion can be dangerous. We've all been witness to this form of religion, as it is usually associated with extremism and violence overseas. I don't think I have to remind anyone of what happened on September 11th. "There is little doubt that one fundamentalism can feed another, spurring recruitment and escalating into a sort of religious arms race " (Laurie Goodstine, More Religion, but Not the Old-Time Kind). It's the safest option for everyone involved to keep religion in the background. It does not need to be a factor in daily life. Doing this does not threaten the future of religion at all, people will always find a way to worship their God; and they have the right to do so.
What about the teachings that can be affected by religion? We see that happening today, with the great debate surrounding sex education in our schools. There are religious leaders that feel sex education should be less about sex and focus on abstinence. This is a novel idea, but how realistic is it? I have first-hand experience with teenagers since I once was one. I had sex, and I'm pretty sure my children will end up doing the same thing. I wanted to assert my independence and make choices that were mine, and that were different from my parent's choices. Sex was not allowed before marriage, and that was the only information my parents felt I needed. So, I got my information from other sources, mainly reading material and my friends. I found myself pregnant, and un-married at the age of nineteen. Religion didn't save me. .
Is this society's fault because religion is not publicly present? No, it was my fault, because teenagers are stupid! Michelle Bryant spoke on this subject in "Selling Safe Sex in Public Schools".