Is it appropriate to study the lords prayer in school?

Question

My third grader came home with a colored paper glued to a wooden stick for a handle. On the paper was the catholic's lords prayer, am I wrong for feeling upset?

My third grader came home from school today with a project he had done with his class. It was a colored paper which was shaped like a prayer book, they used in historical times, and was pasted to a popsicle stick. On the paper is the Lord’s Prayer. My third grader explained to me about the prayer book. He also described the cross in the corner of the prayer, as he was trying to describe what the meaning of this cross was, he attempted to cross his head and chest as they do in the Catholic church and attempted to say the appropriate words. We are not Catholics, and my child has never been in a catholic church.



Am I going overboard by being offended that his teacher would teach this to her students? Should we file a complaint.. if so, with who?

Answer 1

First of all -- I take it your child is in a public school! So then the answer depends on the context that the Lord's Prayer was presented. If they have been told to memorize this because it is a prayer to God, then it could be construed as a violation of church and state.

It could also be that they are examining the various winter festivities of various cultures and your child may come home with a dreidel tomorrow and the next day some Kwanzaa fabric.

But if they are studying the Lord's Prayer as a foundation on which our culture bases its morals, then that would be no different than an examination of the 10 Commandments, Hammurabi's Code of Laws or even the principles upon which Buddhism or Islam are based. These are all examples of older cultures trying to get a handle on the basic rules by which we should live and treat others.

So it boils down to the context it was presented and then if you really have a problem with the school trying to introduce children to something they may not be getting at home. (I only mention this last part because as a regular volunteer at my children's school, I am constantly appalled at the behavior of some children that you can tell they get no guidance at home, whatsoever!)

Answer 2

I think you have every right to feel upset and agree with the others who have said take it to the school board. I wonder, however, if it has a motive that some are not considering. This is around Thanksgiving time, teachers and their classes study the 'pilgrims' and what you have described sounds like a horn book from the early 1700's. If it is indeed a replica of a horn book the prayer is something historically accurate to include, although the alphabet would be equally accurate (as well as good for handwriting or calligraphy practice). I suppose the question in that case would be, did the teacher actually teach the children the prayer or did she simply have them transcribe it?

Answer 3

Dear Heather,

I do not think that you should be upset. I won't say that you are over-reacting (I can't, since I don't know you), but I do think that this is not a cause for worry. First of all, remember: prayer is a fundamental need of man, and it is a part of man's education to learn how to pray. A school system that forbids teaching children about prayer in the name of "separation of Church and state" is denying children something that is a very natural, human aspiration: man's search for God.

I hope this doesn't offend you (forgive me if it does), but I think that you should be grateful that your child was given the chance to experience prayer in the school.

If it is a question of "Catholic vs. Protestant" enmity, then that is a whole other can of worms that I would prefer not to open up at this moment.

Maybe I could just suggest this: Maybe you should ask yourself why (deep down, not just at the surface) you are upset that your child was taught how to pray in school.

I wish you all the best.

Answer 4

It really depends on what school your kid goes to and what the reason was. If he's in a public school it would be hard to think of much (unless he himself chose to do it as, say, part of an art project) that would make it appropriate.

By the way, I'm curious as to what you mean by the "Catholic Lord's Prayer". I have connections with both Protestants and Catholics, and the Protestant "Lord's Prayer" and Catholic "Our Father" are essentially identical.

Answer 5

Well, unless you sent your child to a Catholic school(which I doubt considering you said that you aren't Catholic), no, you are NOT overreacting. This is HIGHLY inappropriate in a public school setting.

Public schools are funded with public money, ie: through government taxes. Therefore, they are government institutions, and the teachers are, in a sense, government employees. Their job is to TEACH, not indoctrinate, and this teacher not only taught your child a tenet of the Christian religion, but more specifically the Catholic religion.

Not only did they discriminate against non-believers and non-Christians, but they also discriminated against anyone who isn't a Catholic. This teacher instituted THEIR beliefs on their class, contradicting the religious beliefs the children are being taught at home by their parents. Children's beliefs are their beliefs and generally taught to them by their parents and Sunday School teachers.

Not everyone in a public school is the same religion, so a public school can NOT force children to pray, to adhere to a faith in school that is different than their own at home, or anything else. Teachers cannot lead prayers or read the Bible as a "storytime" sort of thing.

Teachers can have their beliefs, but children are required by law to attend school and are therefore a captive audience. And depending on the age, also very impressionable. Teachers can't impose their beliefs on these youngsters, even if they feel these kids should(especially when they find out a kid doesn't go to church at all and they feel a kid should).

Teachers can pray(my own fourth grade teacher prayed before meals, but she didn't make us do so) privately at any time, read the Bible on their own time, that sort of thing, but it must be private and personal and on their own time, not encouraging or requiring kids to join in lest she fail them for going to Hell.

Same goes for faculty and students. You don't have to leave your faith at the door just because you step into a public school. You just can't discriminate and harass others who don't share your faith. Kids and teachers who bully students of other faiths and schools that allow this can get into some serious trouble for not protecting the rights of kids(no matter how young and innocent) to believe as they or their parents choose, instead of being told by the government what they "must" believe.

You are not wrong for feeling upset. You have every right to be. You're not Catholic and are not raising your kids to be and that teacher has no right to try and raise your kids for you by telling them they're of the "wrong" faith. They're not the boy's parent, you are, and they overstepped their bounds by contradicting what you teach your child at home.

It could be that this is supposed to be part of a religion/cultures class, but I highly doubt it. I didn't get that sort of class until high school, not in 3rd grade, not even when discussing Thanksgiving. I'd talk to your school, let them know what happened, that it's NOT appropriate, and that this sort of thing should be stopped immediately.

And if your school backs this teacher up and tells you that you and your child are the "wrong" faith and refuse to reprimand this teacher, you have every right to call a lawyer. Public schools have no right to teach religious tenets within their walls. Educate students about the major religions in the world and where they're practiced, but not teach them as FACT. If a school refuses to protect your rights, call a lawyer because if they're not protecting yours, they won't protect others', either.

Your child has a right to a proper education without religious dogma and discrimination hanging over his head. If you had wanted a Catholic education(or any sort of religious education for that matter), you would have sent your child to a religious school. But judging from your reaction, this is a public school, and public schools are for teaching, not indoctrinating. Leave the dogma to a church and the education to a school.

Good luck to you! Trust me, you're not the only one this has happened to and you're not the only one upset about this. You have every right to be. Take care!

Answer 6

I guess The questions is does your kid go to a private school or a public school. If the school is private you got no beef. If its public you may have a valid contention if the prayer was given to him/her by a teacher or it is being taught in a class room as truth. (by the way I am Christian and I don't want my kids to be taught Buddhism in public school so I don't think your kid should be taught Christianity in a public school)

Answer 7

They really shouldn't be teaching religion in a public school. Not every child's parents wants them to learn their religion. Not everyone is the same religion. In school, there shouldn't be classes for religion if it is a public school.

Answer 8

It would be Better to just Pray his each day and Live by it. Now praying would be ok, But really how can you study the lords prayer? this can only be prayed and lived by.

Answer 9

I guess its ok to ocassionally mention god in school, but every one has different religions so its ok if you feel that way. I would too if I was a buddist or a scientologist. Everyone has the right to raise their kids how they want.

Answer 10

unless your child attends a private school, they should not be praying in school (separation of church and state and freedom of religion)...i would be upset too, for the teacher is pushing his/her beliefs upon innocent and accepting minds of children...ask the teacher what's up, definitely voice your concern.