Prayer in public school?

Question

I feel the U.S. is too diverse to allow group prayer in public school, it would be impossible to include ALL faiths and views and no single religion or way should be allowed to dominate. That is no different then whites forcing everything to be OUR way, and people understandably did and do NOT take kindly to that.

Please explain something to me...

In my opinion any student has the freedom and right to pray to themselves whenever they feel it is needed...did it stop working?

Those rights have not be taken away.

Thanks for all the answers! Not sure some people read the whole thing, maybe some didn't get it. I'm non-religious, do no want group prayer in school. And I feel that people overreact when they say their rights to pray in schools has been taken away when any student is free to pray on their own if they wish. That was my point.

Answer 1

Children can pray silently, or on the playground. They just can't put a prayer over the loud speaker for all of us. I agree there is too much diversity to allow prayer. If people want prayer in school, send your child to a private, religious school.

Answer 2

We don't. It should not be permitted. Surely any Christians attending a public school can have family prayer prior to leaving home. School is for the purpose of receiving an education. Prayer has no place in a public school system. Public schools should be neutral to any religious influences or practices.

Answer 3

Contrary to the beliefs of many, there is no law anywhere in the United States that prevents public schoolchildren from praying, individually or in groups, as long as it does not disrupt class. Such a law would be a violation of the students' first amendment right to freedom of religion.

There are only two restrictions on prayer in public schools.

1) Prayer must be student-initiated student-led. The school faculty, as representatives of the government, may not endorse a particular religious viewpoint by leading students in prayer or by encouraging them to pray.

2) Prayers may not be voiced over the school's public address system. Doing so forces all students to participate in a particular religious practice and offers tacit approval of the particular viewpoint expressed.

These restrictions are in place to allow students full expression and practice of their religious beliefs while barring the government from imposing religous practices on citizens. I've never understood why this is such an issue.

Answer 4

I see that a lot of people have misconceptions about what the whole public school prayer issue.

Here's what the Supreme Court decided. In order to keep true to the Consitutional right to free speech and the ability to worship freely, no school can stop a student from praying. They can't hinder the student, nor can they fail a student if when asked for an opinion, the student speaks of his faith.

And in order to keep true to those same freedoms, the school may not, under any circumstances, force a student to practice any religion. They cannot speak of religion, except those necessary to describe historical events. They can't hang religious icons in their classrooms.

I'm a Christian woman and I'm okay with those terms, aren't you? Perhaps unlike some, I have no wish to offend other religions, as well as create distances between myself and my Jewish and Muslim friends. Let's leave religious teaching to the family and churches and such, okay?

Answer 5

I don't know the ages of the people here, but I am old. When I was in school (which was after 1964 but older teachers continued to force religion on people in their classes). I was spanked by the teacher in front of the entire class because I would not say a bible verse. Everyday we had to stand up, say the pledge of allegiance, have prayer, and then she would go down the line forcing each student to stand up and quote a bible verse, no matter you religious affiliation. If you refused you were spanked....and this was public school.

Do you believe that is right, or should we bring the paddle back also? Maybe that is what is wrong with schools today that they took the paddle out also?

Answer 6

No, as individuals students may still pray in school... they must however do this on their own time and not involve those who do not wish to be involved.

The problem lies with schools mandating time specifically for prayer or sponsoring prayer groups. This goes against the separation of church and state as public schools are government funded institutions. As such they cannot endorse any religion.

What the proponents for prayer in school are demanding is for the school to sponsor prayer groups or even introduce prayer into the daily activities of students (like the pledge of allegiance). Additionally these groups are only interested in introducing Christian prayer into schools.

It's simply another attempt at the religious right to indoctrinate the public.

Answer 7

Those Bible thumpers who think this is such a good idea should take a trip to England. In England they say the Lord's Prayer in school, often say grace, have a Bible reading each day, have an 'official' state Christian religion. Yet despite all that there are significantly more atheists per capita than America where religion has been removed from school. Churches are being closed due to lack of money and attendance. And in living there for 26 years I only met three people who thought that the Bible was literally true.

It should also be noted that the per capita homicide rate is a fraction of what it is in the US.

Answer 8

I agree that Prayer in public schools is a bad idea at this point in our progression as a society. It was not always so. Back when America was a strong and safe place to live (ie, before blacks and women had the right to vote,) it was good. But now, this country has turned so liberally STUPID and evil, that public prayer is nothing but a sore spot in everyone's eyes.

If we white men would revoke the rights of women and minorities to make any decisions, then we would be back on track and life would be good for everyone. It is clear that the whole "civil rights" thing was a complete failure. Just look around.

Answer 9

I think the right isn't gone, but I never recall kids praying at school. Also, I'm sure the parents that are "threatened" by GOD, or any religion for that matter, will make a big deal about it and the school system will not let the "praying kid(s)" go unmarked. In this society, God has reminded us that we will be persecuted as Christians, and that is exactly what will happen if a kid is seen praying.

Answer 10

Whites aren't forcing their way on anyone. It's called society. There are people that cannot accept the mainstream. That is probably due to lack of education or maybe a mental problem.

Anyone can pray in the public schools and pray to whoever they want. Just don't upset the rest of the class.