I have a survey that I'm doing for my civics class. It's a one minute thing, and I'd love some opinions!

Question

First, read this prayer:
"Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country."
Now, answer this question with a brief statement:
Would you have a problem if you had to say this in school?

Anywhere from a sentence to a short paragraph would be great. I just need a couple of anonymous quotes to support a point of view in a short paper. Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm OK with it. As long as I do not have to pray to a particular God or religion not of my choosing, then the separation of state and church is being followed and I am OK with it though the courts do disagree with me.

Answer 2

I wouldn't have a problem with it. In the first place it doesn't mention any particular God so it could apply to any religion. In the second place the Constitution does not mention that religion should be removed from all government venues. All the first amendment says is that "Congress shall pass no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". Those words could just as easily be interpreted to mean that the government cannot stop you from religious speech in classrooms or any other public venue.
The whole idea of eradicating faith and religion from public arenas has only been popularized in the last 50 years or so. Before then faith and religion was accepted in ANY government or public event.
By the way, the "wall of separation" mentioned by Thomas Jefferson was in a letter and ONLY in a letter he mailed to the Pastor of a church. Four days later he attended church services at the Capitol building. So much for removing religion from any and all government buildings.

Answer 3

Yes I would have a problem. Okay I personally wouldn't but some people will. There are so many different religions that you can't make students pray the same prayer. This will offend some students who parents taught them differently. I'm in eighth grade and I know from experience that you don't talk about religion because what people have been taught all there life is not for you to judge. So, yes I would have a problem with it.

Answer 4

:D It really depends on what your point of view is.


For your benefit, I will include details on each aspect.

-The Pro-Religion Point of View-
I believe that students in schools across the United States should have the right to express their opinion, or religion, in class. Some people believe that "state should be separate from religion", but I believe otherwise. Religion is crucial to childhood development, and may affect the children's behavior as they become adults. Research has suggested, or even proved, that religion may improve a child's cognitive functions, and has stated that belief in a higher power can stimulate proper brain functions.


-Anti-Religion/State-
I believe that religion and state should stay separate. Why should American students have to say something only around one fourth of the world believe in? This is preposterous. Our founding fathers meant this nation to be completely separate from religion. Look at them. They were the ones who came here in the first place to escape religious persecution in England and Holland.


I hope you find this informative.

Answer 5

Unless it was a religious-based school, I would most definitely have a problem saying this in school. Not everyone believes in or prays to the same "God", or necessarily to any God for that matter. If people wish to pray, they should do it on their own time, and let school serve its true purpose. On a related note, I think a moment of silence is a good alternative to school prayer.

Answer 6

Even if I did believe in a god I would have a problem because a person has to go to school, and a person has the right to freedom of religion(or no religion), and that would be treading upon a person's right to practice (or not practice) the religion that they choose, in their own way.

Answer 7

Being Grade 12 student, In my opinion, i would HATE to be forced to recite this in school. Not only do I not follow a religion, but I also think it is wrong to ask others, who are not nessisarily Christian, to basically give a blessing in school. It seems unfair for those who don't believe in God to thank him for things, when some don't even believe he exists! I would be very frustrated and strongly disagree if students were required to say this in school.

Answer 8

If we had a choice to say it or not, no I wouldn't have a problem. For example, the pledge of allegiance.

But if we were forced to say this, i would definitely object. We should be able to express what we feel and if we are not allowed to, I will truly be convinced that this (censored due to your school assignment) country has gone completely corrupt.

Answer 9

I wouldn't have a problem saying it. I would be afraid of the reaction of other people. There is always an atheist in every crowd that wants to stop prayer in public.

Answer 10

There are too many religions in the world to force this prayer on students in schools today. If it were just a private Christian school, it would probably be more acceptable.