I have a religion/education question. I am a school teacher, and this morning I found a letter stating that?

Question

anyone wanting to join in a prayer b4 the school day starts is welcome to come to her room from 7:15-7:30 in the morning. I believe this is a violation of church and state regulations. Even though it is only for those who choose to come...it is being held on school grounds. Am I correct in my thinking??

Answer 1

No, the actions are voluntary and are not being promoted by the school.
Keep in mind, there are two parts to the First Amendment.
One part deals with the government not establishing religion.
The other part, seemingly ignored by the media, states that government will do nothing to hinder the free exercise of religion.
FIRST AMENDMENT: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Answer 2

nope, anyone wishing to pray can do so anywhere they wish. The teachers are not allowed to envoke it on the children and the authoritites cannot envoke it on the teachers. Those teachers are free to pray where ever they wish as long as it is not class prayer and there is no requirement to attend.

This is what is wrong with our public schools, prayer has been taken out of it and when disaster strikes someone always wants to ask God why these kids were killed in school and why a bomb was in their and so-on. Why ask God, you guys won't even let him in the place.

I am concerned that you are not only not attending, but seems as you do not want them doing this either. Just remember, this is the land of freedom and when freedom is taken away, will you really want to live here? ONce this government starts taking freedoms away it is only a matter of time before it hits home.

Leave those ladies alone, why not join them and see what a difference it makes in your life?

Answer 3

The school teacher had mental problems. As for the Med Student, intelligent people are always in danger of becoming completely Nihilistic. Once a person has abandoned all human taboos the Id may potentially be unleashed. This is why I think religion may be a good thing. If people believe in something they may behave, unfortunately most religion is so illogical that many "intelligent" people conclude its total bull. The solution is to push Buddhism, its one of the few religions that is internally logical and adaptive. Many New Age religions also require internal logic and should also reduce mass murder. Of course Pol Pot used Buddhist philosophy to justify killing 2 million people in the 1970s, but it took some pretty creative thinking. Once you become totally Nihilistic even the risk to your own life means nothing as you would conclude that we are all so insignificant that a few years of life more or less is meaningless. What ever you do don't listen to "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. I blame them for this sort of thing.

Answer 4

Hi,
I'm not sure that this IS a religion/education question. Sounds more like a, " I don't think it's right and I want confirmation/justification to raise a stink" question.

You can jump on the bandwagon with smoofus70 and believe that only those people who DO NOT have religious beliefs have any public entitlements in this country.

Or you can throw in with fcas80 and do a Big Brother bit with an anonymous tip.

Or you can choose to join them in prayer before school or choose not to join them.

We really need to get back to thinking that everyone in this country has the right to their beliefs.

And yes Pat Fortam, that includes the "goddess circle" for Wiccans, group prayer for Muslims or any religious group, and before school meetings for atheists and agnostics, as long as no one is trying to force someone to attend.

I'm so tired of people wanting to control what others do and think.

They aren't breaking the law, leave it alone.

Joel C

Thanks for the vote of confidence.....but I do think tattooing it on your chest may be a bit much......LOL

Answer 5

The supreme court has allowed non school sponsored groups to use facilities for a religious gathering when before or after regular hours.

1990 The court rules that the Equal Access Act does not violate the First Amendment. Public
schools that receive federal funds and maintain a "limited open forum" on school grounds after
school hours cannot deny "equal access" to student groups based upon "religious, political,
philosophical, or other content." (Board of Education v. Mergens)

Answer 6

If similar group meetings are allowed, then banning such meetings just because they are religious is unconstitutional.

There is no ban on religion as such in schools, although it can become very confusing with some of the contradictory policies and rulings.

Students and staff alike are free to practice religion, individually or in groups, as long as such practice is not at odds with other people's rights and sensibility, does not conflict with school policies or school use policies, and cannot be construed by a reasonable person as being supported by the 'state'.

Answer 7

No, I don't think so. (1) It's before school starts; (2) you're not being forced to go; (3) it probably won't involve students.

I'm an atheist and a member of the ACLU. I wouldn't participate, certainly, but I don't think it's necessarily a violation of the first amendment. But keep an eye on it - it could easily turn into one (by extending it into school time and coercing students to attend at the expense of class time).

Plenty of groups use schools for religious stuff - 'see you at the pole' days, bible study, etc. Usually after or before school.

Answer 8

I'm a public school teacher, too. In California. We have a religious group who meets after school in one of the classrooms. As far as I know there haven't been any problems. This group has been meeting this way for a few years. I think as long as the teacher isn't trying to convert anybody, it's OK.

Answer 9

A group praying in the school building is no more illegal than having any other group in school, like a reading club. Why would you think it is illegal to pray in a public building? Are they forcing you to do this?

Frankly, your ignorance about this issue is scary for a teacher to have.

Answer 10

Oh my gosh! Do you live in Alabama? Well, in the rest of the world everyone is allowed the right to their own beliefs......its not harming anyone, its for 15 minutes so give it a rest!!! Don't you want society to become a more tolerating environment where you live ? (probably somewhere down south right?!)