Forced to Recite Prayers in Class, Is this Legal?

Question

Here’s my problem. I’m a sophomore at a private Christian school (you don’t have to be Christian to attend however). I’m not religious but I can deal with the chapel services we have since I do respect other people’s beliefs. However, this year I have a French teacher (she’s new to the school) and she’s really religious. Seriously, you should listen to how she conducts class. Now she is making us memorize and recite this prayer to God in French! I can’t believe it! :( This really goes against my beliefs and I feel hurt and left out. I can’t say the whole prayer without wincing or my voice cracking up. Now I dread French class and I know my grades aren’t what they used to be. I used to really love it. Please someone tell me, is what she is doing legal (it'd really help if you work with law)? Please don’t have a bias against me if you are a Christian. What can I do?? Thank you. ~Aly

I might want to add that I'm in high school and all the "good" high school are private Christain ones where I live. So no choice there really. Thanks for most of your anwers!! Some of you are discriminating against me though. :( Typical...

Answer 1

I'm not so sure about this..this would definitely be illegal in a public school though. Talk with the teacher and see if you can reach a compromise. Or just think of it like learning more French instead of a prayer. Don't worry, it'll work out.

Answer 2

Private schools in the U.S. are not bound by any laws about what they can teach. They can insist on you learning prayers and reciting them--they can't insist on you *joining a religion* unless your parents agree (children's religion is their parents' choice in the U.S.), but they can require activities that you don't have to believe in.

If you are not Christian, you may be able to argue that it's against your religion to say this prayer. But religious organizations are given quite a bit of leeway in matters like this; most likely, there's nothing you can do. And if your parents don't mind or agree with the class, there is NOTHING. Kids have no legal right to choose their own religion. (Sorry. It sucks. Nothing you can do about that part.)

If you need to pass the class anyway, maybe you can learn to say the prayer as a parody... figure out what inflection to put on it to make it obvious that you don't believe what you're saying. Like an English speaker saying sarcastically, "Our FAAAAAther, who art in HEAVen," (roll eyes) "HALLowed be thy" (giggle a bit) "name."

Make the other kids crack up. If the teacher fails you, at least you entertained them--and you'll have grounds for going to the admin and claiming it's obvious that you *do* understand the subject matter, and you can speak it smoothly. Then you can ask them if you're required to *believe* the contents of anything you're assigned as a reading exercise.

Answer 3

I really think it takes a special kind of rudeness to attend a religious school and then complain about religion .Change schools . What did you expect by enrolling there ? It sounds as though you have an agenda. You deserve to feel hurt and left out . I'm sorry; but you knew what kind of school you were attending . That's like a non-smoker going into a tobacco shop expecting to find non-smokers inside .You are looking for trouble .It has nothing to do with bias on their part . You ought to be ashamed . Make someones day, and attend another school that is not a religious school. I can not get over your nerve . Get over yourself .

Answer 4

Try talking to the teacher. Explain that while you do want to learn
French, your beliefs preclude you from reciting her prayer. Ask if
you can learn an alternate speech in French that is not of a
religious nature. This is not an unreasonable request. She
can't impose her religion on you, you have the legal right to
your own beliefs. But instead of being negative, try to be
tactful and present your request in a respectful manner,
so smile and start off with a positive statement like:
Your class is so interesting, you really make me want to
earn French. Its such a beautiful language .....something
you can honestly compliment her on, then say but I do have
a small problem that I would like to discuss with you .....

Answer 5

Well the part where the law comes in really depends on where you are.
Secondly, even if you did manage to defend yourself through the law, know this, your french teacher is gonna mess up your grade.
So just take a look at what is more important in life, your faith or your grade.
If I were in your place, I would be confused too.
Try talking to the authorities of the school and perhaps even your parents.

Answer 6

It's illegal at a PUBLIC school.
See the establishment clause of the Constitution.

It's legal at a Christian school, because your parents are paying for you to become a good Christian girl, aren't they.

Just suck it up and mouth the words. You can go burn crosses and sing like a prayer when you turn 18...

but for now, just play pretend for the sake of your grades. they do dictate so much of your upcoming adulthood...

Answer 7

While I sympathize with your situation (and would feel exactly the same way if it were me), I don't know if there's anything you can do. I believe that as long as schools are private and do not take any federal money, they can do just about whatever they want. But, in fairness, I'm no legal expert.

Answer 8

Let me get this strait. You go to a private Christian School and you think it violates your rights to have to recite religious stuff. What are you smoking? Got any more?

Answer 9

They can not force you to pray to God, but they can assign you lessons. Look at is as a language lesson, not a prayer. They might require you to recite the famous "to be or not to be" speech from Hamlet, but you would not have to agree with the ideas Hamlet expressed - simply to learn it in French, and demonstrate so by reciting it.

Answer 10

Yes,I undertand your lament.

Replace the words with other French ones.

Words that sound very similiar are great,very 'mad libs-ish.'

I used to do it in Spanish,My teacher hated me.

A real Frenchman would recite it to her and stuff a brie
in her knickers as a matter of personal liberty.

It's just a class too.Remember you are there to learn the language so don't unwisely scatter your focus and energy.