Is this praying at school?

Question

I have a small little situation. I am in this band in high school and i dont know what to think of this. Every time we go to an event such as a football game or contest etc., the band all huddles together and prays to god and jesus. I find this highly offensive to me personally but i dont know if this is against the law or not. I know that praying like that is against the law during school but it is after school they do these things. However, it is not an option to attend or not it is required that you go to these things or you will fail the class. so i have no clue what to do at this point, they have done it all semester but it has not i have just been to nervous to say anything. Please any advice will go a long way for me.

just to add, im not saying there is anything wrong with christianty but this is the law and it says a class cant pray like that at school.

ok its not like i have anything against praying i just dont think that they should be doing it school and that it should be a class thing like that. thats stepping on the rights of the minorty of the intrests of the majority

i dont understand why your not getting this people i have nothing against praying or christinaty but what about everyone else? they might not be christian or they may just not like praying, even if the general class doesnt care, which some may have just been nervous like me, what about all the other classes? you cant just make an exception becuase everyone might be christian.

Answer 1

The only time the government or others seem to think praying is alright in school or during school functions is when something bad happens like a terrorist attack, a school shooting, or some other unfortunate event.

I would advise that you just stand there and exercise your freedom and not pray. I have been in these situations and no one really minds if you don't pray. However, I am sure that all the people who are on here and value individual freedom will tell you to piss on everyone else file a law suit and make everyone else do what you want and not pray. Then you become just like them only now all of them feel weird and you really are the outcast for making them do something when they are not making you do anything.

Why not just do the right thing and let them pray while you wait. My question is how can you be offended? What are they doing to you? If you think it is because they are making you feel like you are not apart of the group, then just wait til you offend them and tell them they have to not pray because that is what you want, and the wants of 1 offended person is more important that the rest of all of them.

Do the right thing, and be a real American.

Answer 2

If these students are doing it on their own, sorry ... you just have to sit it out. There is NO law that says you cannot pray at school or at a school function. The students can pray if they feel like it.

This is a school function, though, and there IS a law against your school 'encouraging' prayer or religion. If a teacher is organizing this, or encouraged the students to do it, then yes you can complain. I know it's not during school hours but the school is sponsoring the event and it's probably on school property.

Also, either way, they cannot fail you because you won't pray! As long as you show up and play your music it's fine.

So watch and figure out whether a teacher (I guess it might be your band director) is praying with them, or leading the prayer, and if they are tell the principal immediately. I know people will say talk to the teacher first, but if this person is religious and you are not it can turn into a debate ... trust me, I've been there. It's better to let the principal know from the start so they can take care of it. If the principal brushes you off, call the school board office and complain. Their number's in the phone book.

If there's NOT a teacher leading this ... I mean, if the students just decided to get together and pray there is nothing you can do. Occupy yourself while they are doing this, maybe practice or go over your sheet music. Or excuse yourself to go to the bathroom and come back when they're done.

If you refuse to pray, or complain that a teacher is leading prayer, and think the teacher is discriminating against you because of it, that is VERY serious. You should tell your parents and school board representative immediately. That's asking for a lawsuit.

Good luck. I know it can be hard to 'go against the flow' but sometimes you have to. See what exactly is going on and act accordingly, as I advised above.

Answer 3

Becuase the band is a (public) school sponsored activity, the prayer may very well be illegal, esp. if led by the faculty member, as it violates the seperation of church and state.

At my high school in Oklahoma, students were only allowed to pray at the flag pole outside. However, I am sure students prayed at other times (before exams, games, asking someone to the prom, etc.)

If you feel uncomfortable about the prayer, please talk to your parents about it and then discuss it with the band leader or school officials if you see this as a problem or feel pressured to participate.

There may be another student who is in a similar position and feels bad speaking up. There may also be students who would like to participate in the band but do not feel welcome due to the prayer. So it may be worth mentioning or at least discussing.

I am sure your band manager would want to know if some students were did not appreciate the prayer. They are educators afterall.

Answer 4

I would have a private talk with whichever faculty member is present at these events and voice your discomfort. Tell him/her that you would prefer to not take part and get permission to remove yourself for the short time it takes for them to complete the prayer.
You could probably "win" if you made a big fuss and may get it ordered that they not do that at all. But if you were satisfied just not having to participate yourself, why cause a big stir if it can be avoided. Who knows, maybe there are others thinking just like you and are also too nervous to say anything. If they see you standing aside, they may also and the group of you could do something else that you were more comfortable with

Answer 5

If you attend a public high school and they are FORCING you to attend the prayer session it is a violation of the laws regarding seperation of church and state. Get with your parents and voice your opposition to the school principal and/or superintendent. If they do not listen, or if you get harrassed over it, call in the ACLU. They will help you out.

Answer 6

It's not legal for a teacher to lead a group in prayer at any school-related event. However, it is perfectly legal for a group of students to join in prayer of their own accord.

Answer 7

it really depends. if you're not being forced to do it, you can actually pray in school whenever you want as long as you're not being disruptive. if the individual band members just felt like praying, they are allowed to do so. what they can't do is make everyone do it.

Answer 8

quit being a non conformist cry baby trouble maker! If you call yourself a christian, you would not have any problem saying a prayer with the rest of your group.

Answer 9

The majority of the people's beliefs are based on religion. If you don't believe, don't pray!

Answer 10

Well why does it offend you.. if you don't want to pray, then don't pray... I'm not religious but I could care less if someone else prays or not... I just won't do it.. why would what others do offend you if it isn't hurting you..