If prayer were allowed in schools, who would be allowed to pray?

Question

Would it be everybody? Would it be just Christians.
If prayer was allowed to be openly conducted in schools of any religion, many Christians would be rather angry that Muslims could also pray. Should we just have prayer for Christians in schools?

Sorry, my wording was rather faulty.
My reasoning is that if Christians do get religion/prayer back into schools, they will be relecutant to extend it to those of other faiths. Would any of them try to make a law where only Christians could pray in schools?

Wow.. sixcannonballs..
Please study religions lol.
I can't believe you mixed up Islam and Hinduism..

Wow.. sixcannonballs..
Please study religions lol.
I can't believe you mixed up Islam and Hinduism..

I'm not asking what SHOULD happen. I'm asking what WOULD happen. There is a major difference.

Answer 1

First of all, silent prayer has always and will always occur in school by some students. That will always be a personal interaction between an individual & God. If it's a religious school, then yes, everyone would be required to pray together the prayers of that religion. The public schools remain neutral on religion, and for good reasons. They cannot endorse any particular religion or use school time for prayers.

The reason for that is the way our government is set up. Some countries have an official religion. Some even force all of their people to practice that same religion or face death. Other countries outlaw all religions alltogether. We are not any of those countries. The 1st ammendment guarantees freedom of religion. That means that all people here are free to practice any religion they please, or no religion at all. That means our country does not endorse any one religion for its citizens.

By recognizing that the U.S. does not have an official religion, you will understand that we are keeping things equal by not showing preference for one religion over any other in public settings such as schools. If you keep up with the news & court cases, you probably know that public buildings such as schools or court houses cannot post religious statues, the 10 commandments, religious decorations, etc. The ones who have tried to do this in government places have been court ordered to have them removed. There is a time and a place for everything. People are free to do that at home or in their places of worship. It is not appropriate for public schoolteachers to lead students in prayers in the classroom or at school activites. Teachers may teach ABOUT different religions in general, depending upon the course, but not by endorsing any particular religion over any other . There's a difference.

To answer your question, we will never be in that position to have to decide which religions should be allowed in public schools. Public schools are not in the business of providing prayers in every denomination in order to keep things fair either. If U.S. parents want their children to be TAUGHT a specific religion, or be led in group prayers, they always have the option of sending their children to the religious school of their choice, or by teaching them that at home. This is by no means to disrespect your own particular religion, whatever it may be. It is simply recognizing that people of ALL religions (or no religion) have rights to an education. The job of public schools is to provide an education for ALL of our children, it is not to provide religion.

Answer 2

No; it wouldn't be just Christians. Freedom of religion. If a person of one religion can pray to one god, then so can other people of other religions. Besides, we actually ARE allowed to pray in school. The Constitution enforces the separation of curch and state. Even though many try to interpret the phrase to mean that people can't express their religious beliefs in school, it doesn't mean that. Not only does it mean that the government cannot endorse a religion, but it can't also interfere with situations dealing with religion (that is why former Chief Justice Roy Moore refused to move the Ten Commandments statue). Also, this means that students don't check their religious rights at the door, which was enforced by a ruling of the Supreme Court years ago. All students can all pray to whatever deity they want to. Christians have "See You at the Pole," an annual event in which Christians gather at a flag pole and pray. Though people of other religions haven't organized any event similar to this in American schools, they can.
In short, we all can pray in school, as long as it is not student-led and a particular religion is not favored by the school. Everyone is allowed to pray in school to whatever deity they want to pray to.

Answer 3

Some are trying to make laws of that nature. It's not working and it won't work. If they allow Lead prayer back into public schools, they will have to allow for all religions. Personally, I think it's better that there is no Lead prayer. If you want your child to be of a specific religion, then that is your personal choice. Religion should be kept at home... especially if you are professing it's a Personal Relationship. You don't go to public places and bring up personal things about any of your other Personal Relationships.

Answer 4

That is discrimination, I as a christian would never do that to any other faiths, what gives you the right to decide that your religion is above all other religions. How can you tell someone that you can pray your religion in school but no other religions are allowed. I dont even think God would like that. that is very biased.

Answer 5

well first the school board would have a study done then the teachers union would protest then a teacher would appointed to be head prayer sayer and the PTA would protest because of background checks on prayer teacher, fundementalists would protest that teachers are not schooled in prayer but would have to have a man of the cloth give devotions and then the teachers union would protest that he was taking their job away ad nauseum!!etc etc!!it would take 20 yrs to get a prayer said?about how long its been since one was said? sad isnt it? Kithy-- why do gays do it?

Answer 6

Prayer is allowed in schools. They can't stop anyone from praying (before a test, before they eat.) as long as it is student led (no administration can be involved) and anyone can pray. If you are HIndu and have to bow to the Mother land 6 times a day or whatever it is--no one can stop you, but for something as outright as that they may suggest you go to a more private room as to not disturb the teaching. ONCE AGAIN...PRAYER IS ALLOWED IN SCHOOL AND DON'T LET ANYONE STOP YOU.

Answer 7

Some may hate me for this, but this country has a right to freedom of religion (Amendment I). Thus, it shall be all or none. I myself am Christian, and can't imagine the harm in anyone praying who wants to do so.

Answer 8

Every one is allowed to pray in schools, in all religons, it just can't be during class time. This can be done before school, after school, durig recess or lunch. Many public schools have bible studies or other religious clubs during these selected times of the day.

Answer 9

The day that prayer becomes mandatory is the day I start the counter-revolution to re-establish the Constitution and have it amended so that religion never has the power to do it again.

Answer 10

People have to be careful because as sure as there is a God, if open verbal prayer was allowed in school today, we would have kids doing seances and devil worship--it is just what this world is coming to.