what are the liberal and cons. views on school prayer/religion in america? plz help!!!?

Question

i just need to know wht the liberals and conservatives feel about school prayer.

Answer 1

The official liberal view is that religion and prayer should NOT be in the schools due to the separation of church and state, as well as discrimination (which religion does one practice in schools?).

Conservatives want prayer and religion in the schools, supposedly to strengthen the moral fiber of our children in school, as well as at home.

My personal opinion is that if there is a way not to discriminate against ANYONE person or child in the school system by having prayer, then who is it hurting. But as long as there are so many different religions, and athiests and agnostics around, there is no way to achieve this, so there is not a way to have prayer in schools. Segrigating children is another way of singling out the kids for bullying, and that is not the answer. And as long as the federal and state governments fund the schools, then they should not be having any religion in them. Send your child to a private school if you would like them to pray in school. If you can't afford it, then maybe you need to look into scholarships or face the fact that your child will not have prayer in their public school.

If one would like their children to have religion in their lives, then take them to church on sundays, or have them pray at home. Why must the schools raise our children???

Answer 2

Prayer and religion in america is a practice guaranteed by their constitution. Hence, you can manifest/celebrate your religious affiliation/practices as long as you don't step on others' rights and beliefs. There are really no problem with prayers and religion being practiced in schools. In some cases however, some asians and muslim international students are ridiculed and discriminated because of their religion. Despite this fact, these religious practitioners are not barred from expressing their faith through celebrating their religion (eg. prayer). Praying in school is a good way of promoting the school's image. It sends a strong message that the school upholds a good moral conduct/standard. On the contrary however, because of the variety of religion and media of expressing one's faith, unpleasant experiences occur. (eg. discrimination of muslims, jews, asian budhists etc.) The common problem of praying/religion in educational institution is to find a way to reconcile the differences, which I think is impossible. For instance, it's an insult for muslims to pray in the methods most christians do. They need to face west and kiss the soil etc. Neither are christians accustomed to their way of praying. If pray in school, which religious congregation should be upheld (protestants, catholics, muslim, hinduism, budhism). If we allow them to pray in their own way, will this be possible or will be it be very inconvenient? Another thing, how about those who are not in anyway affiliated to any religion (eg. atheist / pagans), how do we deal with them? Will it be a violation of their right to mandate them to pray? These are only a few of the myriad of problems that must be settled prior to starting prayer/religious practicing in schools. I doubt if there's a definite solution to these problems.

Sorry, i am neither a conservative nor a liberal. I just see the two side of the issue. i hope my answer gives you an idea of the issue. you can log on to www.debatabase.com or at www.idea.com for more information about this matter.

cheers.

Answer 3

It doesn't matter what the liberal/conservative view is. The only view that matters is what the Constitution says. The Constitution is neither liberal nor conservative - fortunately.

Therefore, school is not a place for prayer. People have homes and places of worship in which they are free to pray.

Answer 4

Suntan Superman D-MI

I think that while religion is one of the most important things in a people, having religion in the schools is a touchy subject. When the average person talks about school prayer, they are talking about Christianity. If that is the case, then it will be a case of forcing your religion on another person. And if it is not the case, then it will still be a very complicated issue. For example, Muslims have Ramadan and pray 5 times a day. Then you have Judaism and Hinduism. And what about Taoism and Sikhism, or even Paganism. Religion is a touchy subject as is, we don't need to tie it to another sensitive subject as education. Thank you.

Answer 5

Most, but not all conservatives feel children should be allowed to say prayers in school. And liberals feel that it should be done in the churches and home. Education is what kids are in school for and the religion is taught in the churches.
The same goes for politics and religion..they are not to be mixed together.

Answer 6

I mean both groups say you "can pray"... the whole issue really comes down to... "class led prayer".. many conservatives seem to be in favor of this... many liberals are not... mainly because there are many different religions and the prayer would almost certainly be christian only...

liberals want just a moment of silence where everyone can pray to their Gods or what have you... but Republicans seem to think that we're trashing Christians when we do that...

Answer 7

Actually the liberal view is Ride the backs of hard working Republicans, Get everything they can for free and bleed this country of any kind of stable economy. I am by no means rich, I live pay check to pay check and I am behind on many bills but I have too much pride to leech off the government and I never expect anything free in this life! People who do are lazy and ignorant!

Answer 8

When we had prayer in schools and actually taught the difference between right and wrong (and before gun control, so everyone had access to weapons); there were not any school shootings like there are today.
Does that tell you anything?
By pandering to the 'oh my, that might offend someone' crowd, we have ruined most of a generation.

Answer 9

i'm a republican. as far as prayer probably not. i don't ever remember saying prayer in school, but i do believe that kids should still be able to say the pledge. our country was founded with it. this country is made up of alot of different people who fought to have a new life. i just think that people are making too much out of small stuff. and to the lady above me, i follow bush, i am a christian actually catholic, i am in the us army, and i support what i did over in iraq. my religion has nothing to do with who i support. grow up.

Answer 10

schools are a place to learn not to pray. prayer is left to the church. the only religion that belongs in school are religious studies. but all should pledge the allegiance to the flag. one nation under god means whatever your god may be. the pledge is important to develop a love for country and the unity of all Americans no matter what your religion. we may have different religions but we have one thing in common no matter what. we are all American.

i'm liberal on some issues neocon on others no party affiliation.