Should there be prayer in public school?

Question

If you said yes, would you agree that non-believers should get equal time?

I can honestly say I wish I didn't have e-mail notification of answers on this one :-)

Ok let's look at some answers:

David---praying in silence is no less a prayer right?

flinty---apparently a lot of people!

sheila e---I don't see the connection.

youaskianswer---agreed....fair for all.

curious---don't see how.

saq--non-believers NEVER pray...duh....just some time to state their beliefs too is all.

roo---a fine idea.

maria-simply stating their beliefs...fair is fair.

darrell-if the prayer silent I agree, otherwise equal time is needed.

future--yes, in silence.

femme-if the prayer is in silence fine.

einstein-I notice you don't quote Jefferson or Franklin....we're well aware of our forefathers affiliations.

wuss-in silence yes....if not, lets let the non-believers talk and the religious can sit in silence...not fair right?

kevin--dude, this isn't stalag 13.

righteous-exactly!

OK it's safe to say that what we see here is a lot of differing opinions......but mostly that there are so many different beliefs that it would be impossible to accomodate them all.

It's best to keep organized prayer of any kind out of schools.....even you religious folks know it's not necessary to pray aloud.

Everybody have a nice night and thanks for all the answers!

><>J

Sorry I just had to highlight this one....LOL:

"The US is 90% Christian.
We pay 90% of the taxes that fund of schools."

LOL....yeah OK....the U.S. isn't even 90% religious much less christian.....oh well, of all of the 60+ answers, your's is lamest..congrats!!

Answer 1

Why?
You can pray (to yourself and your god) whenever you want to.
Why do some people feel the need to have the government or school board recognize the fact that they pray?

Answer 2

There is a simple and objective way to look at this question. Many of our founding fathers came to this country seeking religious freedom. They were looking for a system that allowed for all sorts of beliefs and a place where people woudl not be forced in to a single option. These founding fathers thought it was a great idea to separate church and state, keeping religion out of government sponsored activities. This is what keeps us from the type of religious fanaticism that dominates the middle east today and causes the kind of myopic decision making that leads countries in to trouble.

For those reasons I would say that there should NOT be prayer in public school. Let families decide how they want to address spirituality at home and practice it freely without imposing it on others that may not see things the same way.

I was raised Catholic, and continue to believe in the Catholic faith. I attended Catholic school in which prayer was a big part of my daily school life. While it is expected and appropriate in private school settings, the fact that public schools are gov. sponsored makes it not OK.

Answer 3

For those reasons I would say that there should NOT be prayer in public school. Let families decide how they want to address spirituality at home and practice it freely without imposing it on others that may not see things the same way.

Answer 4

No one should get any "time" for prayer in school.

School isn't for prayer.

If they have some extra time having finished their work, and want to sit there and lead a quiet prayer group, I couldn't care less. Their right. It is against the Constitution for me, as a representative of the U.S.A. government to interfere.

What about the poor atheist child who sits in class and hears them?

It's not my job to protect them from the "evils of religion". The children doing the prayer group, assuming it isn't interfering with my teaching, are within their rights, just as an Islamic child is for getting on a prayer rug and praying. If they get a low grade because they miss an activity, that's their choice.

It's not my right to stop them.

The Constitution has no rule about separation of church and state. It is clear that the state should make no law restricting religion.

Answer 5

Laws have prohibited that prayer be required for all to participate. But I think that if one wishes to pray before partaking in a activity,or doing a task, they should not be restricted from doing so.Yet if someone does not wish to pray,and get a head start on the others, then that is thier choice. They can decorate the back of thier folders while waiting for those who did what they thought was right.

Answer 6

The only way that prayer in public school should be permissible is IF every religion, or philosophy be represented in that prayer. Or if every child of ANY religion be allowed to pray in their own way.

So that means that not only Christian children say prayers or have bible study, but that Muslim children can have study meetings and prayers, that Buddhist children be allowed to meditate, that children who are Atheists and want to have discussion groups are allowed to, that children who are Wiccan be allowed their prayers, chants or rituals, and so and so on.

Problem is that the Pat Robertson crowd would explode if they found out that little Cindy-Lou was having her prayers-around-the-flag-pole, while just a few feet away there were a group of Pagan students setting for a ritual to celebrate Samhain. If one religion is represented then they ALL must be, if you object to that then be satisfied that NO religion is represented in public schools and be content that you are free to teach you child about your religion in your home or have them educated about your religion in your church.

Answer 7

I do not agree there should be required prayer. I think that if a students wishes to pray before a test, meal, ect....then they should be allowed to. It is their beliefs and should have the right to express them. This goes for any belief someone may have. As long as they are not trying to get others to do what they do not want to do. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Answer 8

No, because I have not once heard anybody suggesting prayers to Buddah or to the Goddess. Christianity is not the only religion out there and Christian Conservatives shouldn't be pushing their views in public schools. If you want your child to pray at school, send him/her to a private religious school.

I DO think that high schools should offer a course in World Religions as a means to help them understand what people around the world think, especially with a global economy. I also appreciate that some schools end the day with a "moment of meditation".

Answer 9

Anyone in public school has the right to pray. The laws deal not with individual rights but with state-sanctioned prayer in public school, prayers which are chosen by the school, or the public school district. The laws protect religions. In our diverse society there may be a half-dozen religions or denominations represented in any one classroom. This is so basic, so simple to understand, folks.

Answer 10

Yes there should be prayer in public schools and NO, non-believers should not get equal time. Non-believers should open and fund their own schools. The US is 90% Christian.
We pay 90% of the taxes that fund of schools. When non-believers become a majority then they can have all the time they want. We have a non-belief system installed in public schools right now because a minority has imposed it's opinion onto the majority. But that is changing back to what it was.

Why should the taxpayers that are 90% Christian have their beliefs excluded from our school system? Non-believers should start their own "private schools" and stop trying to force their beliefs onto the majority.

Answer 11

NO, as a Christian, I do not believe that there should be mandatory prayer in schools, because it is not the function of Government to enforce religious beliefs or practices.