My son's gr.K teacher makes them pray before eating. I thought you weren't allowed to do that in public school? I am not relgious and I don't want my kids to be taught relgion. If I wanted my kids to learn about all that I would send them to a relgious school!
2007-10-19 11:48:33 · 13 answers · asked by pharfly1 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Ooop's I double posted this... Sorry everyone!
2007-10-19 12:02:37 · update #1
Ah the age old question of Separation of Church and State.
I feel that unless the school is a religious based school, then there should not be praying or forced praying period!
My daughter was expelled from school because she would not say "One Nation Under God" during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Religion should not be taught in public school.
2007-10-19 11:57:46 · answer #1 · answered by Vera C 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
You have already received some excellent advice.
DO talk to the teacher first! It is the civil thing to do. Also, remember the classic line: "If you agree not to believe what he says happens at school, I won't believe what he says happens at home." Find out what is going on before your base a complaint on the evidence of a 4-year-old!!
Moments of silence, when someone may, but need not, pray, are legal. It is illegal for the teacher to pray if anyone objects. As a parent, you have the standing to be the one who objects. A teacher has a right to pray, but not to lead prayers; however, in the event of a complaint, it would be appropriate to argue that if a person in charge says a prayer, he or she is leading a prayer, so the teacher would do well to pray silently. Each of the children has a legal right to pray, but not to "lead a prayer." Your child has a right to remain with the group and may not be excluded to allow others to pray.
Let me return to my first point. Be civil and cooperative, firm, of course, but not accusatory. It is in the best interests of you, the teacher, and your child that the matter be settled amicably, if possible.
2007-10-19 21:11:30 · answer #2 · answered by anobium625 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the prayer? I remember saying "God is great, God is good. Now let us thank him for our food." We tell our kids to be thankful for what we get and this prayer does so. Please remember that the majority of teachers are Christians. Saying a small blessing before eating is something we do that is as natural as breathing to us. When I did my student teaching back in '91 we were told that we couldn't force our students to pray with us but we could bless our food before lunch. Children at that age copy what they hear but don't internalize it as "religion".
I think if you are really upset about it you should go to the teacher and ask what is said before lunch and if it is something that you find against your beliefs then ask if your child can be excused from saying the "prayer"
Don't go to the Principal or anyone else before you talk to the teacher. Parents who have come to me first find that I am more than willing to work with them. Going over a teacher's head will only cause you hardache. Also most of the time a Principal will want you to speak to the teacher first before coming to them. If you and the teacher can't work out the problem. Then the principal will be able to help you and will respect you more for talking to the teacher first.
Remember you and the teacher must always be willing to work together for the benifit of your child.
2007-10-19 19:30:07 · answer #3 · answered by tina b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teacher cannot make them pray. Unless the class is not allowed to eat until every child opens their mouth and utters each word, then nothing is wrong. Also, asking a thanks for the food is not wrong as long as a specific God is not forced on the children. If it's really that huge of a deal to you (I understand that you don't want your kids to go religion crazy, but saying a quick thanks before food isn't going to do that), then first talk to the teacher. If he will not change his ways or you cannot come to a fitting comprimise(ie instead of "thank you god for this food or bless this food" a simple "i am thankful to live where i can have healthy snacks every day and do not have to worry about being hungry"), then you will need to let the school know or ask to have your child placed in another teacher's class.
2007-10-19 18:56:58 · answer #4 · answered by jayjay 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe its God's way of catching your attention.
Christianity claims that God loves you and wants to be with you forever. Rejecting God means rejecting his presence. If he is the source of all that is Good, seperating from God means all that is not Good. Sadly that choice is sealed the moment we die.
Wouldn't hurt you to think about it, Pray about it and God will answer.
Sadly people pray not to have a relationship with God but rather as their personal slot machine to get some blessings from or as a last resort.
Ask
God, I am not sure if you are real or which one you are out of all these religions, but if you are real, whoever you are. please reveal yourself to me and humble me enough to realize it.
If you have a good reason for your personal beliefs, then you should go ahead and teach your kids, so when the kids convert, you clearly know that you should convert also... Since their reasons are the same as your reasons and obviously something happened to the child to have them make a choice to convert.
Share your beliefs with your child and explain to them why you don't accept something. You'll be surprised how much reason a child can throw back at you to show you anything you may be accepting emotionally rather than intellectually.
2007-10-19 22:28:16 · answer #5 · answered by bagsy84 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure she doesn't just allow them to have a moment of silence (ie. pray if you want silently or don't pray if your not that way). A moment of silence is permitted or moment of person reflection, which is not the same as making someone pray. I would speak to the teacher and inquire about what is going on. If not satisfied then I would speak with the principal.
2007-10-19 19:04:58 · answer #6 · answered by Wicked Good 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The sad fact is that prayer is not allowed in school. I completely disagree with the separation of church and state. But anyway, I teach high school and I offer a prayer meeting before school to any student who wishes to come. If I lose my job because I am doing what God tells me to do, then I will get another job and do the same thing there.
2007-10-20 01:02:42 · answer #7 · answered by Coach K 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Generally yes, unless it is allowed to just have a moment of silence.
If a VERBAL praryer is required in a public school it is generally not allowed.
If it is a SILENT prayer the student can do anything, even math tables. Then you have no foundation.
2007-10-19 23:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, that's illegal. She can't tell them they have to pray or who to pray to, or lead them in pray at a public school. If I were you, I would talk to her and gently remind her that this is illegal and you can easily involve the ACLU if necessary. She'll probably back off. But I'd switch my kid's teachers if they thought they could get away with that crap.
2007-10-19 21:05:32 · answer #9 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is 100% not allowed! Go to the principal, the media, raise a stink! Tell your child that he doesn't have to say it. Good luck!
2007-10-19 18:59:33 · answer #10 · answered by SMS 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋