so most people agree, no religion should be taught in public school?

Question

now, with the Department of Education's website as my source of information.

religion cannot be endorsed by a school. and prayer cannot be started by school officials or by means of school owned property.

however it is perfectly legal to pray in school, and to read your bible. so long as you do not do so in a disturbing manner or durring schedualed class times.

then what is the big deal with prayer in school?

people that honestly believe that it is illegal to pray in school where do you get this idea? have you read the laws? and if you have been the victem of an overzealous teacher or administrator do you know how to stand up for yourself on a legal basis without making it into some kind of protest?

and anyone that says that they were praying durring class, dont bother you were disturbing class and would be just as wrong as i would be to throw paper balls at the teacher.

29,

i mean in an outloud and distracting manner.

if you were praying silently most would not even know, let alond care.

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matt,

i do not believe that religion has any place in school or in government.

Answer 1

The cover story of the latest issue of TIME magazine addresses this very subject. Bottom line is that there are high schools who are starting to offer an optional Bible Literacy class. My problem: Who teaches it? The teacher they profile says she uses the offered curriculum as her basis then goes on her own. She is a conservative Christian. She is teaching the bible, not just literacy of the bible concepts.

I propose that we have atheists or pure secularists teach the bible literacy classes, not anyone who is religious. That way, we will have a much more unbiased class, since teachers aren't supposed to infuse their teachings with their beliefs anyway.

Further, I don't have a problem with the bible as a sociological tool in a sociology class or as a piece of literature in a literature class. Comparitive religions class would be a great alternative but if atheists have a problem with the bible being taught, you can BET the Christians will not allow the Qaran or religious texts from other religions to be explored. I think they'd be even more vocal than an atheist!

And I do not want the bible used as a text book or being used in grades below high school. The younger the mind, the more open it is to brainwashing by the religious dogma that will inevitably be discussed in such a class.

Bottom line: I'm open to the exploration of religious texts in general as a historical tool to understand people and why they created gods, but not to prioritize one religion over another.

And I don't have a problem with anyone praying... to themselves, quietly. The teacher or school cannot organize a mass prayer because it would take way too much time to accomodate all religious beliefs and you may not push just one belief over another (like using a Christian prayer when there may be Jewish or Muslim or atheist kids in the class/school as well). Pray all you want!

Answer 2

"and anyone that says that they were praying durring class, dont bother you were disturbing class and would be just as wrong as i would be to throw paper balls at the teacher. "

Didn't you just give a loophole in the law which allows infringment on first amendment rights, unless I'm reading this wrong. Do you mean that if praying is done out loud in a distracting maneer, or do you mean all prayer is distracting?

Besides this I agree with most of the rest of your statement, lots of thought provoking questions there. Isn't atheism a religion in and of itslef, which would mean a creedless school would actually be encouraging a religion, which means it would be impossible to keep schools from promoting one religion? This is a question I have.

Answer 3

I don't think any school should embrace a religion, but they should learn about religions. How stupid is it to completely neglect an important subject. It's not like they avoid politics just because that is a touchy subject. Regardless of prophecy or even simple things like morality, every religion has facts, those facts might not be real or scientifically noteworthy (i.e. heaven/hell, spirits) but it is still a fact that those religious cultures believe in that. How is it possible that the world is engulfed in a religious war, yet school children are not taught anything about either side of the religion? It's absurd.

Answer 4

You answered your question. If they want to pray then they can as long as they aren't forcing there beliefs down everyone elses throats its ok. I have no problem with someone praying to there god before a meal or just to say hello or whatever, but the second they try and get me to do it with them or try to convert me I'm going to fight. I will not be told that I am wrong just because. A school is a place to learn not to push an agenda,

Answer 5

Blessings to you, Yogi. Thanks for this - I've lost count of how many times I've posted the url for the Department of Education website about prayer and other religious activities in public schools. We have to keep reminding people of what is *actual and factual* rathther than the....er....untruths that they may be told by people with an agenda (can we say "fomenting delusions of oppression"?)

((hug))

Answer 6

i dont belive that praying in and iduvidulised (spelling) i think what all the stink is about is the fact of lets say teachers that are catholic have students of say jewish,muslims hindus ect ect forcing them to pray to something they dont belive is against the law. but i agree with you i think relgion should be tuaght in school even if you diont belive in any relgion. Its such an imprtant part of are society that to be completley ingonarant just fuels the fire

Answer 7

When I was in high school (public school) about 20 people would get together before school started and pray together before the day started. We got a lot of crap for it of course and people who hated it, but we did it and no one could stop it

Answer 8

I wouldn't want someone praying in science class the same reason you would'nt want someone playing dodgeball at church. There is a time and place for everything.

Answer 9

School is for academics. It's as simple as that, if I wanted to learn religion, I'd go to church.

Answer 10

my wife has a bumper sticker that says it all...'as long as there are exams, there will be prayer in school'