why do people think that school prayer should be banned? and why do some people want it?

Question

im doing project on school prayer and i want to know why people are against school prayer or for school prayer

Answer 1

People try to look for simple ways of solving complicated problems but sometimes just create more problems.

Some people think that school prayer will make children better or nicer or more Godly.

Most people think school prayer will infringe on the freedom of religion. What kind of prayer is prayed when you have Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans, Agnostics, and Atheists in the same group?

It is unreasonable to compromise anyone's or everyone's values to come up with some bland prayer that will be acceptable to everyone.

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

People are against it because it goes against seperation of church and state. Freedom of religion also means freedom from religion.
Yes most Americans are Christians but to say a prayer in school gives the notion that there is a state sanctioned religion. That the country is holding one religion above all others.
And lets say you are a Christian and wouldn't be offended by the idea of the divinity of Jesus. There are several Christian sects that find public prayer objectionable.
And then there is the question of what would the non Christians do? The Atheist, the Jewish, the Muslim, the Buddist. Kids already have enough reasons to beat up their classmates why add another? Why single out the non Christians for an after school beating?
Religion should be a private affair. But that's just my opinion.

Those that are for it argue that this is a Christian nation. If people choose not to pray that should be their right. One of the least offensive compromises have been a short time for reflection. A student can take that time to pray or just take stock of their day.

Answer 3

Hello =)

I have to wonder, at times, what value prayer has in the role of "education".

Since education is the role of schools, then, we have to examine whether or not prayer helps us towards that end....

I tend to think that it does not.

Praying aloud certainly does not. Silent prayer may, if the students feel as if their prayers are helpful in a motivative sense.

Praying aloud can only, and will only alienate those persons with a different belief system than the one that is being used for the "prayer"....

Some might argue that no Christian, Jew, or Muslim would object to praying to God. This may be true, but that would still exclude any Atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, or Pagans who do not recognize a single Godhead.

If we are to have "prayer" in schools, then it must be within a broader scope, and done silently. A time set aside in the opening exercises for "Silent Prayer, Reflection, or Meditation", or at any other time of the day, for that matter, seems appropriate to me, if the people of that school seem to feel strongly about it. It MUST be included in that context, however, or we are discriminating against other faiths, or lack of faiths.

Anything else, in a public school, is a breach of separation of Church and State, in the best situation, and outright bigotry, in the worst.

Remember that the test of our American institutions is often to be forced to tolerate the intolerable. In this instance.....Would you tolerate your Christian Children being forced to say a Satanic Prayer out loud in public schools?? From the point of the constitution, A Christian Prayer, and a Satanic Prayer are equally valid...... If you could not tolerate such a thing, then you have no grounds to insist upon a "Theistic" prayer in public school.

Silent prayer is the way to go, if we must have this.

Namaste,

--Tom

Answer 4

I am not for school prayer, as a teacher I know that many of my students are of a different religion than myself. Therefore I do not feel that it is appropriate to make them pray or participate in something that they do not believe in. This is different of you belong to a catholic school because everyone is of the same religion.

Another point to ponder is this: how would you feel if the school prayer was praying to Allah? I'm sure that many people would have a different answer.

Just trying to make a point, there will always be people on the outside, even if the prayer is "non-denominational". You should look into the separation of church and state while doing your project.

Answer 5

No you will ban prayer in university. That could be unlawful. What they are able to do is ban the instructor from main prayer IN CLASS. People simply do not look to get this. If there may be time, even in school, any little one can bow their head and pray, separately. Outside of sophistication, any individual can pray separately or in a organization. But no instructor or different university reputable can lead prayer. It's to the factor now wherein even coaches are not able to lead prayer earlier than a recreation.

Answer 6

The issue is not with prayer, itself, but the fact that someone wants to dictate the words the children use. The first amendment guarantees the freedom of the individual to practice their own form of religion. Compulsury prayer would take away that right by making all children conform to one person's method of thought.
I am very much for children choosing to pray in school, whether individually or in an independant group, however, the school or any other body, should not tell the kids what to say or forbid them from saying what they want if it is a true expression of religion.

Answer 7

School is for learning, not for foisting religion upon children. It's fine having prayers in a church school where parents accept that this will happen but not in state schools where children come from all sorts of religious backgrounds.

Religion is for the home and for church and has no place in schools other than to be discussed in passing when trying to teach children tolerance.

Answer 8

You are allowed to pray in school. You are NOT allowed to interrupt class to do it, or lead prayer groups during lessons, or to try to preach to others during class. Outside of class - whatever you want. Teachers are not allowed to preach or make statements about their faith because they are in a position of authority over impressionable children who don't need to hear that crap.

I support this as it is, and I definitely don't feel the need to waste any more tax payer's time on religion.

Answer 9

I am against school prayer because not everyone that goes to school worships God nor is everyone that goes to school a Christian.

Answer 10

i am a lutheran and i am all about praying. i think that prayer should be allowed because even though people don't believe.. there is a big percentage that do. at least everyperson i no believes in some type of god so let hem pray for it!!!