Why do you feel many do not want prayer and the free expression of religion in schools?

Question

Why do you feel they are wrong?

Answer 1

People can pray in school all they want. They just can't force it on others.

Once you have a prayer led by someone, then you open it up to EVERYones gods and EVERYones prayers. I'd like my kids to learn about science, math, english in school. If we take time for the Christian prayer, Jewish prayer, Muslim Prayer, now time for Wiccans, Astrurtars, Hindus and every other faith, .... then things get a little complicated.

There is time for prayer during church service or at home. There is time for learning about other faiths in social studies or in a Comparative World Religions class.

Answer 2

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, religion and prayer of any kind have no place in public school. Every one is and should be free to pray any time in their own homes, at their places of worship or other private gatherings, but not within any kind of government organization, or public forum.
Why do people keep asking this same question over and over, don't you read the answers???
I feel that people who don't want prayer in school are correct.
If you want free expression of religion in schools you have to include all religions and then there would be no time for real learning. Religion does not belong in public schools. Get it, got it, good.

***:"...All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights....". That statement says that we get our Rights from God, and no legitimate government can take them away."****

Notice that it says "their Creator", not God, there is a huge difference since many people have very different views about their Creator. So you can't use this as a legitimate argument.

Answer 3

As far as I can tell, when I went to school and my kids went to school, they certainly had the freedom to pray whenever they wanted to, privately. I was taught that prayer to your god is a personal prayer, not a public exhibition that so many love to do in order to show off their oratory skills. Those who love to say long, windy and flowery prayers are boastful, and according to the bible, sinful. Even Jesus said that prayers should be made individually but everyone seems to forget that.
. But I would certainly oppose the SCHOOL determining when my child or me should pray, and what prayer I or they should say. Prayer is personal, organized prayer where one person determines the prayer or says the prayer on behalf of everyone else is not appropriate-- Why anyone is wanting organized prayer in school is beyond me-is their religion so weak that individuals cannot function without constant reminder of their religion and must have othe people control what they personally pray for? Some religion, there.

Answer 4

Free expression of religion and school led prayer are two different things. Schools cannot prevent people from expressing themselves religiously, but as public institutions which may have member of multiple faiths, they cannot be seen to support one particular faith over another. This would make those persons that are not a member of the school endorsed faith feel potentially threatened and ostracized. People get the chance to pray everyday in school in the way they see fit.

Answer 5

Many do not want prayer in schools because they don't understand the First Amendment. They don't understand that THEY have the right to pray, or not to pray. It is entirely up to them.

The media have portrayed it as religious fanatics trying to force their brand of religion on everyone. Actually, it is just the opposite. It is government telling people that they are not allowed to pray. That is NOT what the First Amendment says. All restrictions are on the state, and none are on the people.

As to why this is wrong, you need to read the Declaration of Independence. Read the part about:"...All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights....". That statement says that we get our Rights from God, and no legitimate government can take them away.

An idea like that is dangerous to people who have given us the USA PATRIOT Act. No legitimate government can take away our God-given rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and assembly. The right to a public trial (not a secret tribunal), freedom from cruel or unusual punishment (including torture), the right to keep and bear arms & c.

There is an expression that you will either be ruled by God, or you will be ruled by men. Which do you choose? A look at the Twentieth Century : Hitler, Stalin, Mao and many others illustrate what you can expect when you are ruled by man.

Answer 6

You are free to pray in school if you wish, you can even get other believers to do so on open school grounds during the middle of lunch or whatever. The school system can't actually MAKE people pray though. You can express it any time you like, and if you are told not too or mocked, you are being a victim of a "hate crime" or discrimination which is against the law. There is nothing wrong with expressing your religious belief in school. You can pray or sing or whatever, but just don't do it during class time.

Answer 7

No one is trying to take away individual prayer and free expression of religion in schools. Students are still free to pray on their own, to wear symbols of their religion, and to form religious clubs.

What is unconstitutional is the school endorsing one religion by having a mandatory prayer lead by a teacher or other school official.

Answer 8

I think that the reason why "many" don't want prayer or the free expression of religion in schools is because it conflicts with the "religion" of many people in today's world, namely the religion of secular humanism. Of course secular humanists would claim that they don't have a religion but that is only because they don't believe in a divine being. They have made mankind their "god" by placing humanity at the top of the ladder when it comes to deciding issues of morality and they worship at the altar of human intelligence.

Answer 9

It's not the free expression of religion which I am against. It is the forcing of religious ideals onto non-religious people. Making the kids say prayers before class etc.

If you really want religious freedom, go ahead and pray. Just don't complain when the hindu, islamic, wiccans and pagans also pray beside you.

Answer 10

You misinterpret. People want free expression of religion. People do NOT want "prayer time" to be set aside.

Pray on your own time. You're at school to learn.