Question about prayer in school?

Question

In the public school system there cannot be one religion placed over another.
I am going to give you a senerio, and ask that you comment on the legal aspect (if you know) and your personal feelings and why.

A group of students get together for lunch. They sit around the table, hold hands, bow their head and quietly pray over their meal.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

That sounds well within their legal rights. The problems start when kids are graded on or forced to learn or participate in religious things. As a Christian, I don't want some stranger teaching my kids about our faith. Therefore, I don't want relgion in schools per se.

Answer 2

As someone who has been a student of the law, it is perfectly LEGAL. it is not endorsed by the school, but the students have EVERY right under the law to practice their beliefs. This is the perfect loophole and why we see God using our youth more and more. The school is not permitted to engage in or promote any religious activity. However, the students can practice, promote, hand out literature, pray, wear religious clothing, etc. The students can do all of these things, it it would violate their civil rights under the 1st amendment for the school or the district to try to stop them.

Answer 3

People can pray anywhere they want to. The founding principles of this nation, related to separation of church and state, protect our right to pray. Those same principles protect our right NOT to pray. Christians who try to force their religion and their rituals onto others do not intend goodness. They intend indoctrination and brainwashing. If prayer is so important to them, why did they pick only on little helpless, captive children in public schools with forced prayer? If Christians truly meant good, they would have forced laws that require everyone to pray over their meals in restaurants. Public restaurants and public schools are the same common ground where all Americans gather. But, unlike public schools, restaurants are full of intelligent, powerful adults and businessmen. Christians want to force prayer into public schools and onto other people's children because Christians are too feeble-minded to defend their magical-thinking among intelligent, powerful adults in a restaurant. No, Christians do not mean good with forced prayer in public schools. One of the morbid consequences of religious magical-thinking is preverted and feeble critical-thinking processes. Christians cannot think and adapt and cope as well as other people. They are very afraid of change and challenge. So, they burn libraries and "witches". And, they fight tooth-and-nail to take logic, math and science out of school. They are mentally unstable. They will stop at nothing to prevent others from changing or challenging their magical-based worldview. Misery loves company. But, spiritual growth requires solitude. Prayer isn't a party-line. Spirtuality is a faith of one. Religion, on the other hand, is a political action group, a social club, a pack of people so truly spiritually lacking that they need each other for validation. As for the students who are praying at school . . mind your own business. That is what truly decent people around the world do. They mind their own business.

Answer 4

I see nothing wrong with this. There's no reason why a group of students shouldn't be allowed to say a quiet prayer, as lunch time in a public school system is usually loud, they wouldn't be distracting anyone. When I was a senior at my high school, after we said the pledge of allegiance we had a moment of silence for quiet prayer.

Answer 5

This is perfectly legal, because the school is not sponsoring the prayer group. The Constitution does not really dictate personal actions, but rather limits actions of governmental bodies. The government cannot restrict your speech, religion, etc. Private parties can, though. So, the public entity (the school) is not taking any action regarding religion.

Answer 6

I think that it is a load of crap. No religion over another? Yeah right. Muslims can prance around and do whatever they like at school, but the moment a christian does every one throws a fit. It''s because christianity is the only true religion and the world which belongs to Satan at the moment doesn't like the truth. I think people praying at school is great and should be encouraged, but it's not. I have been asked to turn my shirt inside out because it said "Got Jesus?" but people can wear Muslim shirts. I had to because my shirt offended someone. Well ICP affends me but I don't see the school doing anything about. It's all just a load of crap. I learned to deal with it, after all, this is my last year! Hope that helped. Later

Answer 7

That scenario is perfectly legal, because we have freedom of religion, as guaranteed in the First Amendment.

As you can see from your responses, the atheists (like me) and the liberals "get it". Now explain this to the Christian Right. They're the ones trying to eliminate religious freedom through the establishment of officially-led prayer and the like.

Answer 8

You are legally permitted to engage in personal prayer at lunch, or in prayer with other students as long as you do not impose on anyone else.

Personal feeling: I'm not sure I have an opinion about this at all. If you want to pray at lunch, pray at lunch.

Answer 9

Perfectly Legal, as long as it is not led by a teacher or other school official, however in my opinion that should not be illigal because the First Amedment says "Congress shall make *NO* law concerning the establishment of any religion or prohibit the free exercise there-of."

Answer 10

its completely fine.

nobody has any right to tell them they can't. in fact I can't imagine anyone even trying to say they couldn't, I mean in an official way.

why would it be an issue? religion not being in schools only means that the school can't officially support religion. students can do their own thing as long as it doesn't bother anyone else.

edit:>>" I have been asked to turn my shirt inside out because it said "Got Jesus?" but people can wear Muslim shirts. "<<

ummm, get a spine? have you heard of the word "no"? good grief, if anything your the kind that have the problem, expecting everyone to cater to you. don't make yourself a victim. stand up for yourself.

how about "no thanks" or "why?" they can't give a legitimate reason of why, unless ALL clothing with words on it(which applys to all....) are against the rules, in which you should know better.

>>"This country was founded on Christianity."<<

this is simply untrue.