Do you think we should have prayer in public schools?

Answer 1

It certainly would be supported by the 1st amendment.
Forbidding one from prayer would seem to violate one of the things USA was founded on: Freedom of religion.

I know this annoys people who don't believe in God, but hopefully they'll find a way to get over it.

10 thumbs down please ;)

Answer 2

prayer by some students is ok. by some teachers is ok as well, if there are no students present. But teachers should not participate in a student-organized prayer (during breaks) because that is in effect an endorsement by the school. I still think that if all but one or two children stand in a circle to pray is extremely scary and all but breaks the publicness of the school, but it should be legal nonetheless. I personally am against any "moment of silence" or excusing students from parts of lessons to pray. I think that students should be able to conform to a school schedule. So, in conclusion, prayer should be legal as long as it is:
-not endorsed by teachers
-does not interfere with the educational process
and that it would be acceptable if it also is not joined in by a vast majority. If over two thirds of the children are praying together the choice not to pray is hardly free anymore. However, this is circumstantial and should not be interfered with by the law. In these circumstances it would be extra important that teachers show no endorsement or participation at all in the prayer.

Answer 3

In the USA, we should allow prayer time in public schools. We should not restrict any faith from using the time to connect with their spirituality. Not only is it a matter of respect, but it can help break up the chatter before a lesson. Those who do not wish to pray should be allowed to use the time to prepare their minds for the lesson. Those who disrupt the prayer or nonprayer of other students should be disciplined, regardless of whether or not they think their spiritual or nonspiritual position is the high horse.

Answer 4

Prayer should not be forced upon the student, but it should also not be banned. If a student wants to pray for focus for the day, that's fine. If a teacher asks all the students to 'bow their head' for prayer time, I would consider that disrespectful to force it on students. However, I do agree with JesusIsTheAnswer up there, in that prayer is a very beneficial thing, and would encourage anyone to let God know you want Him involved your life.

Answer 5

In which country? In the United States, where I live, there is prayer in public schools. Anyone's free to pray anytime -- Muslims do it five times a day! The school just can't sanction or condemn it.

Answer 6

Absolutely!!! David Barton authored a book called America - To Pray or not to Pray. He shows many charts recording changes in such things as SAT scores -teen pregnancy - school dropout rates - after school prayer was discontinued by the Supreme Court rulings in the early 1960's. In fact many biblical concepts should be taught in schools. Evolution is taught as fact and it cannot be proven at all because no one lived a million years ago. It is only a theory and has to be believed. Creation science is quickly disproving evolution, which was rejected by darwin himself before he died. Finally prayerlessness brings a curse upon a nation which affects us all as individuals. The discipline of prayer results in many blessings and should be encouraged in schools and families and buisness and government. Our early founders believed strongly in the christian faith. For amazing discoveries about the thoughts of early founders go to wallbuilders.com

Answer 7

No. You can have a moment of silence if you want. And kids should be able to express their faith( ANY faith) if they want to pray or the like. But public school should not sanction religion, especially not one specific religion. They should however protect the rights of students choosing to pray a Christian prayer before lunch. Or the Wiccan student thanking the goddess if she/he chooses. What I mean by protecting the rights is to make sure no student undergoes harassment based on faith or lack of faith. And to take assaults on the students right of religion VERY seriously. There should not be teacher led prayer groups in schools. Or public funds that go to faith based clubs in public schools

Answer 8

If the kids want to yes. And they currently are able to so there is no problem.

Now if like most people who ask this you mean "should a public school choose a particular religion to endorse by making the children say that religions prayers" then I don't think any rational person wants that.

Answer 9

Kids can pray. During recess, home room, lunchtime, any free time they have. Teachers and other school officials cannot lead the kids in prayer.

That would give the appearance that the school was endorsing religion, and would make some kids feel left out. In some schools, kids that didn't participate would be picked on, or worse.

Answer 10

It isn't necessary for there to be an organized prayer time in public schools, although I do believe that religious tolerance should be taught in some sort of sociology class in junior high and high school.

If our children want to pray in school, we need to let them know that they have that right.

How many of us prayed before a midterm or final, regardless of our religious convictions?!?!? *grin*

Answer 11

We do. It just can't be forced on everyone and the schools cannot set aside time specifically for prayer. Everyone is free to pray (without disrupting others) at school.