This country is founded on the basis of freedom of religion (Not freedom from religion). Explain how you feel about the conflict of public prayer, and why/why not you feel it pertains to our constitutional right to pray publicly.
2006-06-14 05:20:11 · 16 answers · asked by Jenny Y 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Prayer should be and is allowed in public schools by the students. They point were prayer is considered to be crossing the 1st Amendment line is were it is an officially endorsed function of the school. Such as if the principal led the students in prayer every day. However not allowing a student to pray in school is a blatant violation of both free speech and freedom of religion.
2006-06-14 05:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by mattwbell 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you say 'this' country, I assume you're speaking of US? Are there other countries that prayer in schools is a hot topic?
I think that prayer and religion are very personal matters. I think too that as long as your prayer is not violating the other person's personal freedoms then you should pray. To those who do pray, they might find it a fitting way to start the day and may help them focus and feel at peace, in which case, may actually produce better students, whether or not their faith is misplaced.
Those who wish not to pray should be allowed to abstain.
A school is an educational institution, yes, but if prayer helps the students to be better people, or for those who are of different faiths to be more accepting or tolerant of others, then it can't be a bad thing.
2006-06-14 05:30:14 · answer #2 · answered by stacey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was in public school (late 90's), anyone who wanted to start a club could do so with a teacher's support. A large group of students started a prayer club and met every morning and said prayers. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, as long as it isn't forced and doesn't make other students uncomfortable if they don't share the same beliefs. I do NOT feel it should be mandatory b/c it would be impossible to cover everyone's beliefs and one religion should not take precedence over another. A voluntary club is the way to go in my mind.
2006-06-14 05:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by allyson71377 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't force everyone to pray. But I like the idea already mentioned about "quiet time." Not everyone believes in God, or the same God. You have to be fair to all students.
On the other hand, how many people shot up they're fellow classmates when prayer was allowed? None.
Ever since prayer has been eliminated, scenes like Columbine are popping up all over the place. This is overwhelming evidence that prayer needs to be reinstated into our educational system. This and a creationism class to give both perspectives on where we all came from.
I mean, really, how is it fair that evolution is still taught, but prayer was eliminated? Sounds like religious persecution to me.
2006-06-14 05:37:45 · answer #4 · answered by Nep-Tunes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course prayer should be allowed anywhere, but not forced upon those who don't believe. Although, I think prayer in schools could encourage more kids to abstain from sex longer, be more involved in sports activities, etc. I don't think it can have a negative effect except those parents with different beliefs...then there's conflict. Everyone's entitled to believe what they want, so I think it should be a personal choice whether or not kids pray in school.
2006-06-14 05:29:41 · answer #5 · answered by Shining Ray of Light 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom OF religion is freedom FROM religion. If someone doesn't want to share your beliefs, they shouldn't have to. Nothing is stopping anyone from praying. But forcing everyone in a classroom environment to perform religious ritual violates their freedom.
2006-06-14 05:27:48 · answer #6 · answered by Net Bear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Students should be able to quietly pray to themselves whenever they want. No rule/law can keep you from doing it. The issue is school-mandated prayer which means that I as an Atheist would be forced (or pressured) into joining in which violates my right to worship freely (or not at all.)
2006-06-14 06:30:13 · answer #7 · answered by yLime 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think there should be quiet time, in school, as was the case when I was growing up,, (we were made to put our heads on our desks) of 20-30 minutes, or so,,, allowing each individual student the opportunity to pray if they wish,,, meditate, study or read,,,, write letters,,, etc.,,,, I believe in America we should be opened to all religions,,, as long as our nations laws are not violated,,,,,
2006-06-14 05:26:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pupils should be free to pray if they so wish, in their own time, but the school itself in its official capacity should have nothing to do with any religion, except as a subject of academic study. That's the only fair way to run a school, just as it's the only fair way to run a country.
2006-06-14 05:25:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be great to allow prayer in public schools, at football games..etc..
Rather have prayer in schools than teachers having sex with students, drugs, guns, etc..
Sad to say..but, too many of our public schools are in such disarray, that I would seriously consider sending my child to a private school, where the parents have a say..smaller classes,way less violence..better education, prayer each morning, christian clubs, bible study..worth every penny.
2006-06-14 05:35:02 · answer #10 · answered by swampfox conservative 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋