what is your opinion on prayer in school?

Answer 1

Schools should have a silent moment every morning, if a kid wants to pray he/she could. If they don't want to, they would have a moment to relax, focus on something positive, clear their mind...whatever they want. I heard that if that was done, students would do better in school.

Answer 2

I think personal prayer in school or anywhere is wonderful but structured prayer is an infringement on the freedom of religion.

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 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 3

Why are people stating angrily that "nobody should be forced to pray in schools"? There is not a single public school in America that forces children to pray -- rather, there is a growing number of public schools which do not allow children to pray if they wish to, or to say "Merry Christmas" during holiday season. This is the frightening thing. This is religious oppression.

Whatever happened to "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", a familiar quote from the First Amendment?

"Free exercise thereof" would include prayer, whether in public or private. Children and adults alike ought to be allowed to practice their religion as they like, whether in school or at home, and I think we have reason to be worried about our other First Amendment rights if this one is slowly being taken away.

Answer 4

It is perfectly legal for children to pray silently in school, in fact it cannot be prevented, even if it were illegal. Student lead prayers, as long as it does not interfere with class time and is completely voluntary is also acceptable.
Prayer organized by the public school is not allowed.

Answer 5

The lack of prayer in school in this country is why we have so many problems with our young people today. Pray needs to take place in school everything single day. No exceptions. When you take God out of your life the world goes to hell in a handbasket.

Answer 6

It depends on whether the school is a state secular school or a school run by missionary. If it is a missionary school such as a christian missionary school, the school environment is that of a christian culture and students and their parents who choose such a school, enter the school with the full knowledge and expectation that prayer is part of the school spiritual development programme. Such schools have constitutional rights. The school board of management is fully responsible.

Answer 7

I think that there should NOT be prayer in schools!! Who has the right to decide how the children must worship their "God"? Why should all kids be forced to pray to the same god? What about those children that do not believe in god? (and make no mistake, there are kids that do not believe!!) If some children want to pray in school, then it should be an extra-curricular activity, not a mandatory thing that is done in the morning before classes start! I personally hated being forced to pray when I was in school, and you would not believe the amount of trouble I got into because of my beliefs about their "God" Let the children have the option to pray if they must, but do not force all the children to pray, as not all believe in the same thing (as their parents don't all believe in the same God)

Answer 8

I agree that prayer should be allowed for those whom want it. Take the first 10 minutes of school in quiet time and allow those that want to pray to do so. Those that choose not to can be seated quietly. It allows a child to pray to whichever God they believe in and those that don't believe in any God can just be quiet and respectful to those that do!!!

Answer 9

I am not opposed to prayer, but there is a certain way my husband and I pray and teach our children to. I would rather they learn our way and keep prayer and religion, no matter how nondenominational, out of the school system.

Answer 10

It is a hard question. I beleieve that children should be allowed to pray if they want to, but I dont believe that the school should organize prayer. It would be unfair to children of different religions.

Answer 11

I think that if a moment of silence needs to be taken, then take that moment and pray to the God of your choice. If you do not believe in any type of God then just use that moment to keep your mouth shut and let everyone else have their freedom of religion.


My family prays at home and at our place of worship. I will not rely on the public school system to teach my child(ren), morals and values and faith, that as a parent is my job.