Wouldn't prayer in schools that take public funds make us like Islam?

Question

I mean like Islam forces religion. I kinda see how tax dollars should not support that.

Answer 1

I can give you one major con that should make any reasonable person at least stop and think twice about it. And I think you are on the right track because everybody knows they are referring to prayer by Christian standards when debating this case.

We have a right in this country to freedom of religion and the right that the state or government not be biased towards any one religion. So, what this means is that if you allow prayer in schools, assuming this is by christian standards, then you can not disallow others... ie, budhhist chanting sessions or islamic kneeling for prayer at certain times of the day. Those are only two examples.

So you see, you open a pandoras box; a very large one.

Some might argue 'well christianity is our majority religion and what our country was founded on; therefore, it should set the standard for what type of prayer.' If you do that then you end up being no better than dictatoral countries that demand one religion or rather the practice of one religion.

Btw, he constitution specifically dictates the separation of state and church. In layman's terms, it does this by saying the government (which the supreme court has ruled to be any service that tax dollars pay for - public schools) shall not make any laws (actions) that influence (that can be negative or positive influence) a religion nor shall they prohibit the free exercise of religion. So you see, the constitution distinctly states for religion to NOT get involved with legislation.

If you are interested in that part more, you can read some quotes from Thomas Jefferson where he states this separation very clearly at.
http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/churchstate.html

Answer 2

The simple truth of the matter is that the people who push for prayer in schools would crap their pants in anger and fear if they got their way... and months later their child was starting school and that child had to listen to an Islamic, Wiccan, Hindu, Satanic, or some other non Christian prayer in the classroom.

I am sure that a court ruling or law that would allow for open prayer in schools would say all religions are equal. But we all know deep down that there is a certain faith or two that would see that their faith is more equal (i.e. better) than others... and we would open up the slippery slope of harrassment and potential punishment for children who did not go along with the majority religious belief.

Sure, none of that punishment would OFFICIALLY be for that different faith. On paper it would be for other things. But it would still happen, and the different prayer would be the root cause.

And then lets not even get started on the harrassment and bigotry that athiest or agnostic children would face.....

Answer 3

Well, you must not be familiar with the First Amendment. Here is what it states.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

This clearly states that the government shall not establish a national religion (like the fascists do) but it does not mention that it cannot ackonowledge that many of its citizens have a religion and wish to express their beliefs. This is a predominantly Christian society and they have the right to pray.

It also states that the government cannot prohibit the free exercise thereof, which is what praying does.

After all, there is also freedom of speech, not freedom from hearing speech you do not like. If you do not want to hear the prayer, leave the room. As my father always stated "if you do not like what is on tv, change the channel."

Just because it will certainly will come up, I do not practice any religion. I was raised Catholic and have issues with the church. I do not attend church at all, except funerals. I believe that the Christian values and the lack of following them is what has brought this country down to where it is now.

Answer 4

Well, the issue of "prayer in schools" is often an issue of misunderstanding. I (and most of America) would be extremely incensed if anyone was FORCED to pray. On the other hand, God is very real, and nearly all of the founders of our country prayed to him publicly, so it can hardly be said that there is no precedent. I believe that students and teachers alike should be permitted to say any peaceable prayer they want, silently or out loud, to any god they want, at any time. If a teacher wants to open her classroom with prayer, that's great. There is a far difference between allowing someone to pray (since our freedom to not only believe but PRACTICE our religion is constitutionally protected, ESPECIALLY in or on public property or institutions), and forcing him to.

Answer 5

Actually, it wouldn't.
First of all, no religion is supported by the US goverment, hence, wether tommy prays, or molly supports Mohammed, as long as they have tests, there will be prayer in schools.
As for turning our schools into Islam, that only happens, if not only they pray, but they spend all of their time praying, reading the bible, planning on making bombs, and practicing stabbing people.
Needless to say, saying a prayer in school isn't even close to Islam....contrary to what Liberals, Athiests, or other wackos say.
Even Jefferson said, that individual religions will be protected....then why did prayer get removed?
Because, the lawyers perverted what Jefferson said....and the minority twisted it.

Answer 6

Only if it is forced prayer. That would be wrong. It is just as wrong to prohibit prayer. We are supposed to be protected not only from being coerced into practicing a state religion, but also protected from being prohibited to practice our religion voluntarily. If a majority of students want to pray, what's wrong with allowing them, so long as those who don't want to don't have to?

Answer 7

this could be a daft question, even in thought, shape aside. between the main motives the unique colonists traveled to u . s . a . became for religious freedom. Our entire American society and subculture is in line with immigration. we could no longer forget approximately that the only those that did no longer commute here from different areas of the international are the interior of reach human beings. That being suggested in truth each and every physique in u . s . a . in the present day(different than for interior of reach human beings) has moved here from all reaches and cultures of the international, which of direction incorporates a huge quantity of religions. in spite of if there have been no policies stating there could be a separation of church and state, basically the belief of attempting to stress any religions of any form in PUBLIC faculties is amazingly disrespectful and under minds each and every thing that settlers got here to this united states of america for interior the 1st place. we are basically no longer a rustic with in elementary terms one religious concept, and if human beings somewhat think of its okay to stress others to apply their prayers then they might desire to truly learn themselves and their ideas-set in the direction of others and their respective ideals. Its no longer approximately sharing ideals with each and every physique, its approximately admire and information that distinctive human beings have distinctive ideals. So in precis, there is not any prayer that would want for use using fact ideals fluctuate and that's what makes us u . s . a .. leave the prayers at residing house, church, and private faculties, and admire the selection of the regularly used public for what it particularly is. Edit: P.S. by using no potential did I recommend you have been ridiculous for posing the question, it particularly is a considerate question. basically the belief of finding one prayer for each guy or woman is a daft thought.

Answer 8

It's amazing how many people refuse to acknowledge that simple truth -- forced prayer in public school makes us no better than the theocracies we claim to oppose.

Not to mention that it violates our Constitution. But the way things are going, it's only a matter of time....

Answer 9

I see what you mean, but we had prayer and hymns in our primary school and it never really felt like anyone was trying to force religion on us...I don't know anyone who took up Christianity as a result.

Answer 10

Yes