I see a lot of people who are unhappy about no prayer and no God in schools.?

Question

So, let me ask you. Which religion would you have be the official religion of education? Which god would you have the class pray to?

Oh, I like you edsawyer!

OK, maybe I should clarify. I have no problem with a moment of silence, kids praying, elective courses in religion, or extracurricular religious activities. What I'm saying is that it should be a level field for everyone, and edsawyer had it right, it would take up to much time to represent all faiths, just leave it where everyone is free to worship as they choose, and not be indoctrinated in school.

Answer 1

All that nonsense does not belong in schools.

In my opinion schools should have the right right to have a form of religious class, with a maximum of one hour a week. This class should be a choice for the kids, not an obligation.

Kids who choose not to follow that class, should have a choice between 3 option to fill that hour:
- sports
- phylosophy for children
- a class that teaches how to deal with religious bigots.

Prayer only belongs in that hour of school. And at home of course, even though in my opinion it should not even belogn to children at home. Children should never be exposed to these sort of things, religions should require a minimum age of 18.

Answer 2

The point is that NO religion should be the "official" religion in a *public* education system, and prayer had absolutely no place in a secular school. Once you pick one religion, you're excluding all the rest.

There are already far too many instances where kids are picked on or made to feel different. Don't let religion, which is something that's *supposed* to bring people together, contribute to the problem.

Answer 3

I wouldn't have any official religion of education. It's called "Freedom of Religion" for a reason. At the same time, I see nothing wrong with having prayers at school (with guidelines of course). Most people worship a higher being of some sort and I think prayer would remind children to be good in school.

The rules I'd have would be as follows:

1) All prayers are optional. Children don't have to be present when they are said. Parents have the right to keep their children from attending prayer services.
2) Prayers should be said before school in a general meeting place (for example: 30 minutes before school starts). It is impossible to give children the option to not attend if prayers are said over the loud-speaker. And there is no way to regulate prayers if each teacher says a prayer in their classroom.
3) All prayers are general. God isn't the same to everybody so you can't pray to "Jesus" or "Allah". You have to use the generic term of "God" or "higher power".
4) You have to be respectful of all religions in the prayers. You can't say something like "please bless all the disbelievers in Christ, that they may one day believe in Christ and not burn in hell".

All this being said, I think it is also fair for atheist children to have their own club with meetings where they can discuss their thoughts on life.

I, personally, would like to have some sort of compromise. I don't think it's fair to prohibit children from practicing their religion in school. (Just as long as everyone else's personal beliefs are not disrespected). It's "freedom of religion", not "freedom from religion".

Answer 4

There can't be an official religion of education because of the first amendment. Prayer and God in schools doesn't mean it has to be something everyone in the school does. I'm unhappy because it's considered a crime for me to pray before I eat lunch at school. In my opinion they should allow individuals to do as the wish when it comes to religion in school.

Answer 5

The principle of the separation of church and state is that the state shall not legislate concerning matters of religious belief. In particular, it means not only that the state cannot promote one religion at the expense of another, but also that it cannot promote any belief which is religious in nature.

Christian prayer in schools is intimidating to non-Christians, even if they are told that they need not join in. It is particularly bad if the prayer is led by a teacher, or otherwise officially endorsed.

Children are quite free to pray as they wish in their free time.

Answer 6

What's wrong with a moment of silence so that each individual child can pray to God as she/he understands God?

Those who don't believe in God can use it to focus their thoughts on positive things.

I don't see anything wrong with prayer at football games. I don't always agree with the theology of the person praying, but what they want is for the kids not to get hurt. I don't have to agree with their theology to agree with the spirit of it.

I don't think their should be an official religion of education. Neither do I think that we should make education officially atheist.

Answer 7

It would be impossible to incorporate everyone's religion/beliefs into one teaching. It's ridiculous to think there could, or should be an 'official religion of education'. If you want to pray or practice a particular religion then do it. Why should everyone have to do the same thing?

Answer 8

Christianists and Islamists would probably like to force us all to be praying to their gods in schools everywhere.

Indoctrination has no place in a school, schools are for teaching, church is for preaching!

What is wrong with praying at home, in your place of worship and of course you can say a prayer in your head any time you want to without disturbing anyone else.

Answer 9

Why can't each child choose who they pray to or not to pray at all. A moment of silence or something like that should be a choice. God is already in the schools. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. My daughter was standing for the pledge and not reciting it so the teacher came over and took my daughters hand and placed it over her heart and recited the pledge to her. Telling her she needs to say it. When my daughter told me I wanted to go into the school and set this teacher straight (saying it nicely) but my daughter asked that I not bother. She didn't want the teacher to dislike her so she said the pledge. She says "Mommy I just say it so no one gets mad at me but I don't believe in it" I hate that she compromises herself and her beliefs to please others but it is her choice. We have to start allowing people to believe and live as they choose starting with the rights of our children.
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People

Answer 10

Praying IS allowed in public schools. The only thing the law states is that the schools themselves can not be the ones to instigate or organize it. If your child wants to pray to themselves in school they have every right. I agree that religion should be kept out of public schools because of the one huge problem you would face if it was allowed........Who's religion does the government endorse?

Answer 11

I believe that a single prayer from every religion, sect and denomination should be read at school each day. This way all things will truly be equal and we'll have no time to actually educate our children, so they will be perfect fodder for organised religion.