Why can we no longer pray in school?

Question

Why do we not have the option of silent prayer before starting a day in a public/government institution where school age children face so much of life's turmoil in our society? My other question was - why is the gov't removing God - this is but one meaning behind that question. It isn't about being taught religion in a gov't/public institution - it is about being able to enforce your faith as you understand it to be... taught by your pastor, reverend, priest, rabbi, parent or any other.

Answer 1

The reason that prayer is no longer allowed in school is because of a lawsuit filed by Madelyn Murray O'Hare in the 1950's. The Supreme Court ruled that prayer in schools was unconstitutional.

It is a sad irony that this atheist raised a son who is now one of Christianity's strongest evangelists. The Supreme Court banned prayer led by teachers but does not stop individual students from praying silently.

For those who claim that this is vital because of the "separation of church and state", it is ironic that the United States of America pays a chaplain to pastor to the members of Congress and to open every session of prayer. Every person who testifies in a United States Court must swear on a copy of the Bible. Apparently "separation of church and state" only applies to our children.

As for the other, yes there is an organized movement to remove God from our nation. But it more has to do with growing differences in religions and atheism. In other words it isn't a conspiracy, it is less Christians and more people who share differing views. The problem will grow worse in the next fifty years when Christians will be a minority in America.

Pastor John

Addendum: Johnny Sane, I can't speak to the accuracy of swearing on Bibles. I have testified in court once and was asked to swear on the Bible. But now that you mention it, I was in a divorce court the other day and don't believe the Bible was used. So that may be accurate information. Thank you.

Answer 2

Because public/government institutions are a representation of all people in the country....not just Christians. As multicultural, democratic societies, we must represent all cultures and to do that in the sense of religious practices, is just not practical ....there are too many people to accommodate, so best not to accommodate any and leave the practice and enforcement of your faith where it does the most good...in the home. There's nothing that says you and your family can't pray at the breakfast table or before everyone leaves for their day....I think it has more impact that way, anyway.

Not being able to pray in school or any other government/public institution doesn't take away anything from anyone.

Living your faith everyday, no matter what it is, is the most important thing of all.....not whether little Jonny prayed before class started.

The separation of church and state is there for a very important reason and shouldn't be changed.

Answer 3

Mandatory prayer in public schools is wrong because the schools would be endorsing one religion over many other religions that are out there in this country. Also it goes against the idea of separation of church and state.
If you want your child to have mandatory prayer send them to a private school.

If you want to enforce your faith attend mass but do not do it in a public place especially in a government building

Answer 4

It's called separation of Church & State. Your child can pray silently in school, as long as they don't try to include their friends. The point is you're not supposed to enforce your faith on others in public places, the government is not a religious institution.You can enforce your faith in church or whereever you go to worship, and in your home among your family, but not at work or at school. We must respect everyone and their own faiths.

Answer 5

See, this is a misleading question.
Prayer is not banned in school or public places. Students can pray at any time, to whatever god(s) they worship, as long as they are not disruptive. Teachers and school staff are not allowed to lead prayers in class because they are supposed to maintain a veneer of neutrality towards all religions - no favouritism, in other words, so they don't seem to discriminate based on faith.

As for public/government institutions, generic non-denominational prayers are held in Congress (and most state capitols) before every session. Courthouse staff are allowed to pray, but no purely religious images are allowed on the grounds because, again, First Amendment neutrality towards all faiths.
(The 10 Commandments are fine, imo, as long as they are depicted equally alongside the core laws of all other major religions & cultures as a "history of law" sort of thing. Only 3 of them relate to US law, anyway.)

Anyone can practice their faith at any time, as long as they are peaceful, not disruptive to public functions, and do not attempt to infringe on the rights of others (such as forcing an entire class to pray, regardless of their beliefs).

And on the "gov't removing God" bit, keep in mind that several of the US's founders, such as Thomas Jefferson, were actually deists dedicated to keeping the country religion-neutral. Read the Treaty of Tripoli: Article 11, or Jefferson's autobiography entry on the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom, for their statements on America's religious leanings.

Answer 6

You can certainly pray before school.

The school is not required, however, to set aside school time for you to do that.

You are sadly misinformed about what is acceptable and what is not. In fact, there is *Constitutionally protected* religious expression, including prayer, in American public schools.

If you'd like to know the TRUTH about that, go here:

http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html

As for the rest of your question - see, it's that whole "enforce" thing that is the problem.

Honey, you can pray anywhere at any time. Are you incapable of praying unless the whole room is praying with you, or unless the whole room is silent while you pray?

If you need that, I think perhaps it's YOUR problem, not the school's.

Answer 7

easily, there have consistently been little ones who did no longer pray. They bowed their heads and did as everybody else did yet weren't quite praying. no person likes to be pronounced what they might and can't do era. the two aspects Have valid factors. As a Catholic, i do no longer desire to have a Mormon instructor enhanced my baby in Prayer. although, our u . s . is obviously no longer taking advantage of the removing of Prayer and pledge to god and u . s . from our colleges. i think of it extremely is way less approximately prayer then all pupils commencing the day an identical way, it quite is starting to be a feeling of community and "togetherness." there's a clean schedule to purposely erase faith from the face of our u . s .. The experience of entitlement angers me. There have consistently been young little ones that don't choose to do long branch on the Chalkboard yet we don't deliver the prepare to a screaching halt through fact artistically gifted little ones are intimidated by using the undertaking count.

Answer 8

If a student is not saying a silent prayer before the start of the day, then it is the fault of the parent for not teaching his or her son or daughter to pray to God every day.

The government has not removed God from our lives and our schoiols. It is people who are too lazy or too distracted by this world who have removed God from their lives.

Answer 9

Whoever told you prayer isn't allowed in school is a liar. Enforced prayer is not allowed. School officials are not allowed to require prayers (silent or otherwise). As long as there are pop quizzes and exams, there will be prayer in school.

Answer 10

Wow! You need the GOVERNMENT to sanction prayer in order for you to communicate with your God?

What kind of weak religion are you in?

Me and my kids can communicate with the Creator 24/7, anytime we want, Government or no Government sanction.