If you are for prayer in school does that mean you want to force kids to worship Jesus?

Question

But kids can pray in schools. At my high school kids were allowed to meet and pray as long as it was done before classes started and after they were over. It was club.

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.

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

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

My, there are a lot of uninformed folks here.

Prayer is already allowed in public schools; the only restrictions are that it not be during class instruction time, or disrupt the class, and not be led by a teacher or other school employee.

It's always best to go to the source on things like this rather than depend on someones opinion (particularly when they have an agenda)

The Department of Education on religious expression in schools:

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html


Since this information is readily available, why is it, one might ask, that this issue is being misrepresented by people who ought to know better (and, I'm willing to bet, DO know better)? Perhaps one might ask a few pointed questions about WHY such people would willfully lie about this issue.

People who talk about "taking prayer out of schools" really ought to read what is *actual and factual*. I suppose it's too much to expect that after doing so they'll correct other like-minded folks with the TRUTH, but I'm basically an optimisitic person, so I keep on tryin'.

AND, for more "actual and factual" stuff, here are SOME of the cases in which the ACLU has defended the religious liberties of Christians (this is also information that is easy to find, so once again we must wonder why there are so many LIES about the ACLU):

http://www.aclu.org/religion/govtfunding/26526res20060824.html

http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/protest/27266prs20061027.html

http://www.riaclu.org/20060111.html

http://www.aclu.org/religion/discrim/25518prs20060419.html

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3379553&nav=15MVaB2T

http://www.aclu-sc.org/News/Releases/2005/101364/

http://www.aclu.org/religion/discrim/16230prs20040603.html

http://www.aclu.org/religion/frb/16347prs20040811.html

Answer 3

If you allow prayer in schools, you are indoctrinating the children in whatever faith the prayers are based in.

The simple act of prayer implies that there is deity there listening, and ready to answer said prayer. This simple act is a form of indoctrination.

Christians might try to say that there is no indoctrination involved, but if the prayer was to other than the Christian God, arms would go up instantly. Any comments that it was merely showing that some people believed in another religion, say Wicca, and not an attempt at indoctrination would be immediately dismissed.

Prayer is a form of indoctrination. It will result in questions and answers. If Christians wouldn't want Wiccan prayers said in the presence of their children, what possible excuse can they offer to Wiccan parents for Christian prayer?

Prayer in schools would be fine if all of the faiths of all of the children were represented in the prayers offered. If you can't offer all faiths representation, you should offer none.

Answer 4

Good question! We have to qualify what you mean by "PRAYER IN SCHOOL".

If you mean that students should be allowed to pray ON THEIR OWN, or in groups that they themselves put together, fine. Any student can opt in or out. That certainly seems reasonable.

But I sure wouldn't want school staff directing the prayers! Could you imagine; Muslim Monday, Totem pole Tuesday, Wicca Wednesday, Thunder Thursday ( Native American rain dancing/prayer) Friday free-for-all!

YIKES!!

Answer 5

Not all schools allow this freedom. It harms no one for kids to be given the opportunity to pray at school. Also, if the school would show that they respect religious freedom by allowing students to pray, the students would learn to respect religious freedom also. But if the school restricts religious freedom, what can we expect, but that students take that to mean religion is something to be feared and restricted.

Answer 6

No, kids should not be forced or lead to pray by anyone but themselves. They should be allowed to do so for any religion they see fit.

Answer 7

I believe that prayer should return to the classroom! This does not mean that I believe that anyone should be forced to do anything!
You must realize that Jesus did say that He was the only Way to the Father! With that in mind, if prayer returned to the classroom than children may be inclined to accept the Truth--but not by force!!

Answer 8

I do not believe in forcing anyone to do anything. If someone wants to pray it should be between them and god. If someone does not want to pray, just like if someone does not want to say the pledge of allegence, they should not pray. No one is forcing anyone to do anything.

Answer 9

Prayer should be allow back in the schools, but not forced on anyone.. Those that want to have prayer should be able to...

Answer 10

I would never want kids to worship Jesus! You should only worship God. I think the kids need God back in school. The children today are mean destructive and disrespectful.