Should prayer be allowed in a public school?

Question

I think prayer should be allowed, but only during a moment of silence.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church agrees with the U.S. Constitution as currently interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court and does not support "structured" prayer in public schools.

In the Vatican II document, DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, DIGNITATIS HUMANAE (Human Dignity), the Church states:

The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

Students will continue to privately pray before tests just like they always have.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

As already stated in some of the other answers , a person can pray anywhere they choose , but as for should it be allowed , Yes it should , I think a moment of silence should be practiced in all schools , this gives an open opportunity for those who wish to pray to do so , for those who choose not to they should respect them and they too can find things to do with their moment of silence , that way no one is being forced into anything except being quiet for a time which everyone needs , call it meditation or whatever but silence can be good for the soul and mind. I will pray whenever and wherever i want to no one can ever take that away because it is in my heart and mind and without talking to God i am nothing

Answer 3

Actually, prayer already IS allowed, and you don't need the farce of a "moment of silence" to do it. You can pray any time you want in school. Before a test, before a meal, before the day starts if you will. You can pray for your classmates and teacher, you can pray to pass the next test, or just pray to get through the day. It's all already legal. There's no need to wonder if it should be allowed because it already is.

All individuals have the right to pray as they please, when they please at school. Or not, if they so choose. There's nothing forbidden or compulsory about it. You've got free will, so use it, because you already can.

It's the district and teachers and faculty that are forbidden from leading or requiring prayer and for good reason. It is never ok, nor should it be allowed for a principal or teacher to stand before a class and lead their students in a prayer or fail them if they refuse to participate. That is what's unallowable and illegal because teachers, principals, and faculty are employees of the state in a public school.

And because of the First Amendment, the government can't favor one religion over another. It must remain neutral. And before anyone gets on the rant that atheism is a religion and that forbidding religion altogether breeches that amendment, atheism ISN'T a religion, but rather, the lack of one and a belief in God. Therefore, forbidding state-endorsed religion is not endorsing atheism, merely staying the hell OUT of the arguement as it should.

If prayer led by faculty were allowed, do tell me which religion and denomination it would be? Christianity? Judaism? Paganism? Hinduism? Do tell me. And if you can tell me that, do tell me what denomination/sect? If you can do both of those, then tell me about those students who don't belong to the religion or, if they belong to the religion, don't belong to the denomination.

Is it fair to them to have to pray to a religion or denomination they don't belong to in order to pass their classes, let alone even attend the school? I don't think it is and I don't think you do, either. Therefore, state-led and required(compulsory) prayers in public school is illegal and should remain so.

But you can still pray. That was never illegal. We can't tell a person to leave their faith and beliefs at the door, just because they've stepped into a government-funded school. That would be an attempt to govern people's very thoughts, and thankfully, this isn't Orwell's 1984, so we're quite safe from being forced to stop being Christian or any other religion when we go to school.

We don't need any moment of silence b.s. to guarantee that. It's already guaranteed and always will be.

Answer 4

I agree with you 100 % , I just wrote a paper on this in y college class, i got an A!!!! prayer is important and I believe it makes a huge difference. A moment of silence would give every individual an oppurtunity for spiritual, worship and strnegthening of their faith. Prayer should be allowed...most of all religions pray anyway. So with a moment of silience..( basically respecting those who do not pray) would give each individual the time and reflection they need.

Answer 5

The question is as to whether it is whether it be encouraged.
As far as allowed, no one on this earth can stop that.
I agree with you though for what I think you are asking. Once people start praying aloud in front of others with the intentions of forcing their way on them it brings a lot of digression.
It wouldn't be a bad idea though if they had a class about prayer in public schools.
Also, I'm sure they'll allow it if a terrorist enters their school with a machine gun.
I

Answer 6

That's almost like asking, "Should free speech be allowed in school?" If you are asking about a group prayer - I think a time for silent prayer to accommodate all beliefs would be the fairest.

Answer 7

like i know where i live in va the school are allowed to but the school can not make a child pray if they don't want to.only cause ever one don't belive in parying.do i think there need to be prayer in school not really i think there is more imporant things to worry about then prayer.

Answer 8

I think anyone can pray in a moment of silence to whoever they wish to pray to or not. If we have the school choosing who prays or who we pray to then I am against it mainly because I wouldn't wish my kids to pray to Satan or Allah or any false god but all people have the right to worship as they see fit.

Answer 9

I think you should be able to pray where ever you are. I would say a prayer when on break or where ever it is that you need to pray. One can never talk to the Lord enough. I am with you on that one.God Bless.

Answer 10

I have no problem with it. They allow every other person to wear their hat sideways with droopy drawers, dark makeup with trench coats and black painted fingernails and all that crap. Why not let a kid say a prayer if they choose.