We CAN pray all we want in school and in government. Why do many misunderstand this?

Question

Separation of church and state gives us the right to pray all we want in school and in government -- anywhere -- precisely because no representative of the state/school (teacher, etc.) can endorse a particular practice like prayer. YOU then have the freedom to practive your religion ANYWHERE - in school, government, etc. -- BECAUSE of this principle. Why do many many many people misunderstand this?

Sassafras -- you COMPLETELY misunderstand the point of separation of church and state. As an atheist, I am appalled at the level of education in this country when it comes to this. PLEASE do some research - one can pray all they want BECAUSE of separation of church and state; one can NOT - as a representative of the state - endorse a particular practice which would CONSTRAIN these rights. Sheesh....

No, no, no -- it's NOT the public display that's the issue. It's the endorsement of a particular practice by a REPRESENTATIVE. People can still pray openly (of course, as long as it's not disruptive). Why is this simple concept so lost on most???

Answer 1

You're right, anyone who says there is no prayer in schools wasn't in my Algebra 2 class during finals. What was banned, rightly in my view, was the then widespread practice of compulsory participation by non-Christian students in Christian ceremonies. I, personally, believe that the reason people talk about "restoring prayer in schools" is because it plays better politically than "restoring paddling kids who don't pray aloud in class to Jesus in a manner selected by the teacher and written on the blackboard". My 3rd grade teacher actually did that. What many people don't seem, to me, to understand, is that "Freedom of Religion" includes "Freedom from Religion" at the individuals choice.

Answer 2

I don't know. As long as no one's forcing you to pray nothing's wrong. I pray in school everyday. In fact they have a little thing called See you at the Pole. Every year school children, teachers, and whoever else feel like showing up meet around the flagpole to pray. It's a worldwide event. Happened in the U.S this Sept. about the 27th I believe.

Answer 3

People are free to prayer themselves, but the school cannot appropriate any time slot for this...

The student can pray all he/she wants, but it would be disrupting classes, and the teacher might not appreciate it...

Answer 4

You can pray any where you want any time in YOUR HEAD....it is the public displays that are Constitutionallly unnecassary. That is the irony, prayer is supposed to be between you and your creator, yet everyone seems to want to be sure that people see them doing it or hearing about them doing it. Odd.

Answer 5

A Story To Illustrate my Point....

Every eye in the room was upon Valya as the director of the school called her name again. "Valya Vaschenko," the director said firmly, "take the oath," he commanded. "Valya... Very well, I will read it in your name."
Weeks earlier, the director of the school had decided that it was time for Valya, a twelve-year-old Christian girl in Russia, should become a member of the communist children's group known as the pioneers. Valya refused, but refusal was not hers to make. By law, the director took the place of her parents.
When membership day came, the girls stood in a group before a table on which were laid the three pointed, red pioneer scarves. One by one the other girls had stepped forward to take the oath and put on the scarf, All but Valya.
As the director prepared to read he oath for Valya, he pointed to two other girls. "You will place the scarf on Valya's neck as I read."
He began, "I, a young poineer of the USSR, before my comrades--patriots deciding the question of my admission into the organization---promise that I shall stand firmly for the cause of Lenin and for the victory of Communism. I promise...."
But his next words were drowned out as Valya burst out in prayer to God and began to sing a hymn:
"We will stand firm for the Gospel faith, for Christ, following His example, forward all, forward after Him!!!"

In 1963, Prayer was banned in American Public Schools. What would have happened if American parents had taught their children not to submit? In Russia, the parents were thrown in jail and the children beaten and orphaned. Surely this would not happen in USA? We are guaranteed free speech and religion by the first amendment! Must we wait until it is taken away as it was in Communist Russia before we grow bold enough to stand up and proclaim Jesus before others?

Answer 6

I think the problem is that they don't want to pray quietly by themselves. They WANT to be the center of attention and force everyone else to at least witness it!

Answer 7

You can pray all you want, but we both have freedom of speech, so I say STOP PREACHING TO ME AND GO FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO TELL YOUR RELIGION TO!!!!!!

Answer 8

Because they feel that everyone should pray, their way is the only right way.

Answer 9

I think you are misunderstanding - Read the Constitution

Answer 10

vevrybody ar confused