Fellow christians, do you support school prayer, and public displays of religion..........??

Question

if you do, then why do you go against the very teachings of Jesus Christ himself, like when he says this.........

5"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words

assumptions, assumptions, look at my other questions, i am christian

i repeat.........

6But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Answer 1

FIRST OFF I'M A CHRISTIAN...
I BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRAY ON THEIR OWN...BUT NOT AS A CLASS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS...BECAUSE THAT SHOWS NO RESPECT FOR THE OTHER CHILDREN...SO THAT WOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED CHRISTIAN-LIKE

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOUR CHILDREN WERE MADE TO PRAY TO BUDDHA?

Answer 2

A) I have neither children nor grandchildren, so in my opinion it should be left ENTIRELY up to the parents whether or not there is public prayer in their neighborhood school(s). After all, they're the ones most involved. I would certainly have no objection if the majority wanted them.

B) Your quote has nothing to do with your query. It pertains to public prayer as an attempt to garner recognition and attention to how devout and wonderful you are. NOT a Christian ideal by any means!

C) If non-Christians wish to pray publicly, let 'em. Even in school.

D) If atheists wish to hold non-prayer meetings in school, let 'em.

E) As long as it's NOT mandatory for anyone to attend, no harm, no foul. The Constitutional Amendment guarantees freedom OF, NOT freedom FROM, religion! Read the blasted document, people!!

Answer 3

This is just further evidence to what I keep saying over and over again.

Memorizing a single line or a number of lines, chapter and verse is detrimental to one's spiritual growth. One must comprehend the entire book overall.

You're taking the statement entirely out of context. This is a warning against seeking the approval of others.

First off, let's start with the mistranslation of "vain repetition." Do you know that is a deliberate change made by Anti-Catholic Protestants?

The actual word - which makes much more sense with the following line is the Aramaic word for "babble." Do not babble like the heathens do. For they think they will be heard for their many words.

With that one purposeful edit - now my Protestant brothers and sister pray exactly as Jesus says they shouldn't. My Protestant brothers and sisters who condemn my rosary can go on for half an hour about the same subject. Repeatedly saying "and I just ask" or "I beg you, Lord" or "I claim it" over and over again.

It breaks my heart.

Matthew chapter 6:7

Douay Rheims:
7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

Peshitta - which comes direct from the Aramaic, the language of Chist.

7. When you pray, you should not chatter as the Pagans do. They hope that by their many words they will be heard.

While both of those are Catholic bibles, more honest Protestants without an Anti-Catholic agenda use bibles that, while simply written (like 6th grade level) are more honestly translated.

NIV

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

New Living Translation:
7 When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

If you read all the Gospels in their entiretly, Jesus himself prayed in public regularly. He even prayed while hanging on the cross with everyone watching.

So on passing judgement on those who WOULD pray in public, YOU are going against Jesus.

Answer 4

NO...nor do I support religion taught in secular schools. Surprise!!!! Oh and by the way, contrary to what some Christians and Atheist believe, prayer IS allowed in school, it just must not be mandatory. I really do not care about public displays but note most churches have them outside where just anyone can see them.

Jesus was preaching about not praying for the attention and glory of others.

The Skeptical Christian
Grace, Hope, Love, Faith, Peace, Freedom
PEG

Answer 5

Silent time at schools...sure...prayer led by students/teachers, etc... in schools no...

How can you address the prayer needs of every religion. We are a country of many and should not deny the rights of everyone to pray to the God of their choice.

I don't think many Christians would be too happy knowing their child is being led in a prayer say to Buddah! So, let's keep schools for educating on reading, writing and math...and keep churches to education about the God of the religion to which you belong.

Answer 6

As Christians we often focus on the "creature" (people) instead of the "creator" (God) which distracts us from doing the will of God. We have direct communication with God wherever we are (school, work, etc.) and we can pray in our hearts and God will hear. So there is really no such thing as prayer being taken out of the schools because prayer should be in the individual's heart, and no one can take that away!

Answer 7

I agree with you there. But I also pray when the need strikes, as that is my personal bond with God. I mean, I don't drop on my knees and start speaking in tongues or anything, but I definitely like to pray when the need arises. With my eyes open like I am talking to an invisible person...of course we all love the crazy lady pushing the carts around that do that don't we? Great question as usual.:)

Answer 8

No not at all. I am Pagan, I pray at 2 of my meals, if my child were to recite a Pagan prayer she would be stoned by the Christians. So let it be, no prayers in school for any religion.

Answer 9

You are taking these verses out of contex. The point is to pray to God, not to have other people look at you and see how great you are. Prayer should be between the Lord and yourself.
School prayer is another issue entirely.

Answer 10

Yes, I support religion in schools, as long as they are sponsoring Buddha!

Or, should we continue to allow private/secret prayer?

Blessings in Christ