Who think prayer should be allowed in school?

Question

Hypothetically :
So then it's ok, if a child who believes in a god other than yours, to pray to him/her, just as freely as your child (who they sit next to).

Because you know that easy could happen.
Then the kids might argue and fight.

Prayer should not be allowed in school, school is for education.
No one can stop your child from praying silently in their head, and that's fine with me.

Please, forgive my grammer.
I haven't had any coffee yet.

Answer 1

It should be "allowed," but not mandated. No moments of silence or whatever.

However, if a few friends are gathered in the quad at lunch time and decide to have a prayer meeting and pray aloud to each other, that should also be allowed. They should be allowed to express their religious beliefs in such a way, since it doesn't harm anyone else. Kids getting in trouble for praying at school in that manner is a violation of their rights, as is denying a group of kids to found a Christian Club. If Christians at a school want to form a club to gather and encourage each other, it should be allowed, if they can get a teacher to sponsor them.

The problem in this world is that some people think that the separation of church and state is tantamount to freedom FROM religion and, well, that just isn't the case.

To answer Danielle: Yes we DO. Prayer is an integral part of life, and I can't tell you the number of places where we've met up with a friend, a fellow Christian, who felt they needed to pray, and we just stopped and prayed for a few moments. Not loud, not demonstratively to make a show of it, but just praying about whatever the issue was, because it is our right to do so, and we believe it matters. School should be no different as long as it isn't disruptive to the actual classes.

Answer 2

Well, as the old saying goes, as long as teachers give tests, there will always be prayer in the schools. I think a moment of silence is the best compromise for everyone. That way, if you are religious, you can pray. If you are not religious you can still use the time to meditate or compose yourself. People are so polarized in their right or left brains anymore, that they have forgotten how to slow down and be ready to learn, work, and think. Whether that is achieved through prayer or meditation or simply learning how to be quiet and listen, it takes practice, and a daily moment of silence might help the teachers as well as the students more than anyone knows.

Answer 3

I think they should be allowed to pray as long as the school is not organizing/promoting the prayer and the way they pray doesn't disrupt classes.

Kids aren't supposed to talk in class anyway, so class time prayers are silent. They should be allowed to pray audibly, dance around praising, whatever during break period as long as they don't do so to mock other classmates...Kids deserve freedom of speech too and it's very healthy for them to be in an environment where it is okay to talk about each others religions (if they want) outside of class time.

Answer 4

I believe that Prayer should be allowed in schools, when all concerned are of the same faith and wish to pray together...

Our schools currently allow outside groups to meet within the school building... unless they are religious in nature... this seems like discrimination to me...

Our schools allow only silent prayer because there is no way that they can stop it...

Currently our schools have one minute of silence at the beginning of the day... which is supposed to be used for prayer or whatever the child wishes to do silently... Hahahahahaha!! yeah... right... when could you EVER keep children silent for a full minute so you don't disturb someone's prayer without them praying also?

Answer 5

I think it should be allowed. I have always gone to Catholic schools and its an awesome experience to be able to pray your faith alowed with your peers. Its kind of like a reminder each time your pray of how you should live. I think public schools should absolutly allow prayer. In my area the muslims gets to pray in the middle of class in a public school, but some how the christians dont. odd isnt it?

Answer 6

I don't think it should be mandatory, but if done discreetly I don't see a problem with it. Prayer should be done at home or in a private setting. You made a good point about different religions clashing. It might be a bit chaotic. I don't see where bringing a Bible or Koran to school is a problem unless forced to be read by others. It's not like porn or something as long as you keep it to yourself or other like - minded people. I think we cause more problem's when we polarize situations.

Answer 7

I do notthink that there should be a public school system. There should be a community school system that reflects the values and diversity of the community.

If the school is in a hindu community, then it will be more hindu like. If the school is in a melting pot community, then it will likely be more general.

As a parent, I want what I teach my childen to align with my values. I do not want a public school to turn my kids into cookie-cutter Americans, with politically correct ideals (?) that I truly disagree with.

Answer 8

Do Christians ever stop in an aisle of a grocery store with their kids and pray? Do they ever pause with their kids on a streetcorner, or in a parking lot, and pray? Before the movie comes on at the cineplex, do Christians instruct their kids to say a prayer? Do they tell their kids to pray in a public park? A zoo? A pet shop? An electronics store? An ice cream parlor? A jewelry store? Waiting in line at McDonalds? No to all the above, yet Christians insist that kids should pray in school ... WHY?

Can you say "proselytize"?

Answer 9

In a public school, I don't think they should have group prayer or anything like that, as part of the school schedule.

But if a kid wants to pray privately, or if a kid wants to say "grace" in the cafeteria before eating lunch, that should be allowed.

Unfortunately, it seems that in many cases, this right is being denied -- though a series of freedom-of-religion lawsuits could be turning the tide on that one.

Answer 10

Government employees should not be leading prayers in schools, nor should anyone be allowed to lead schoolchildren in prayer.

If they are inclined to pray, no one can stop them. So, the idea they cannot pray is silly on the face of it. Thumpers want to convert schools into churches.