Should America allow prayer in school?

Question

Should students be instructed and given time to pray towards Mecca during their school day; and allow the Muezzin get on the loud speaker reciting a call to prayer for all Muslim students... as well as forms of prayer if needed?

Answer 1

Prayer is allowed in public school in America.

But having a call to prayer over the loudspeaker will not be allowed, because:

A. It will infringe upon the religious beliefs of other students

B. It could have the appearance of being supported and advocated by the school.

Regarding being given time to pray, if it's during class time, no, because it will be a disruption to all the other students.

Since they're children, they can have some flexibility about their prayer schedule, and pray toward Mecca during lunch or in between classes, or wait until they get home.

Imagine if every kid of every religion expected the public schools to make allowances and special schedules for them? It would be chaotic and disastrous.

Answer 2

Public schools are paid for with taxpayer dollars whether religious or not, so "No" prayer should not be part of a system that involves the money of those who do not believe in religion. That's what church, synagogue, fellowship hall and the like are for and supported by their FAITHFUL.

As it is we the taxpayers are MADE to support religious schools with GRANTS and have not raise much of an eyebrow yet because not many know about this FACT. If it were well known that religions sponge off the taxpayers and get all the exemptions from having to PAY taxes themselves their would be a civil war like you have never seen before in Washington. Evenually it will come around though.

Answer 3

As a part of seperation of church and state (because I know that issue will be brought up), it should be allowed, as the state should not regulate religion. But that doesn't mean the teacher and the class should stop for prayer or wait on someone to pray. Class should continue as always and its up to the student if their willing to miss a couple minutes of information. Prayer should not be inforced, but protected from being forced. So nothing over the speaker. I personaly think speaker is fine and good but I'm only reciting what the best thing is for everybody and what would be the most American thing to do.

Answer 4

No, students should not be so instructed, because for one thing, America is >2% Muslim and what you're suggesting would only apply to Muslims. But I think students should be allowed prayer time if they so choose. Adults make it into this huge issue but actually I doubt the children would actually choose to spend time praying in school. They'd rather take a nap. I know I would have.

Answer 5

Should America *allow* prayer in school? Yes, absolutely, and we do allow it. To not would violate students' Constitutional right to free expression of religion. To allow students to sit out several times a day might be a bit disruptive to the educational process, though; students with such extraordinary needs should be flexible enough to fit their prayer schedule in with the school.

The other part of this question is implied, I think, but when prayer in school is mentioned it is generally not in reference to allowing it, but mandating and enforcing it. State-run schools have no business requiring or coercing students to pray. As government entities, they must remain separate from religious matters.

Answer 6

scotgirl60 & baronvonstrudel have very good answers...

a student can pray any time they please during the school day...

If you want more prayer, give more tests ! ! [that's my sense of humor bleeding through]

From the US Constituion... you can find similar language in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [go to www.un.org]

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

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 7

Students have the freedom to pray however much they want, however that's different from mandating prayer, giving them special prayer time, etc.

I have no problem with fellow students praying. I see them praying all the time during break, lunch, etc. However, I would be pretty pissed if the school set up special prayer time for them. If you wish to devote yourself more to a religion, then more power to you- but don't expect special treatment to accommodate all your religious desires. I've never tried to change my school around, getting them to let me have the day off on all my religious holidays, or anything similar. I try to keep my beliefs to myself, because school is a place to learn- you can be religious to your heart's content at home, and at school as well as long as you respect the fact that you have to pray on your own time.

Answer 8

If God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit cannot be mentioned at school, then no other religion should be allowed in school either.
In the early 90's when I was in high school, we studied lots of religions in world history (buddhism, hinduism, islam, etc), and were allowed to discuss almost every one - until the subject of Christianity came up...then the discussion was over.
I'm tired of having to be tolerant of everyone else's spiritual beliefs, while at the same time I'm not able to voice my opinion about my own beliefs without "infringing" on someone else's rights.

Answer 9

If a recommended prayer time should be broadcast for ALL religions then you would have a constant steam of religious messages and littlle school work would get done .
Doing this JUST for Muslims is unfair and indicateds that the Government favors Islam .
NOT IN THIS COUNTRY !

Answer 10

No, this should not be done in public schools.

Students should be allowed to pray to the extent that it is not disruptive, and accomodated reasonably, but there should be no compulsory prayer, or any implicit endorsement of any religious activity by the school.

Private schools can do whatever they want, provided it is not criminal.