Prayer In Public Schools???
352549
I found you some websites to read up on.\nMaybie you could go to some christian/catholic schools where they still have prayer and ask if you could interview students or teachers on how prayer has effected them at school.
291597
Not so brief, but it sums it up I think. =-)\n\nEngel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that determined that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools, even when it is relatively non-denominational and students may excuse themselves from participation. This was decided in a vote of 6-1, with Justices Frankfurter and White unable to vote.\n\nThe case was brought by the parents of students who complained the prayer to "Almighty God" contradicted their religious beliefs and was supported by groups opposed to the school prayer including Madalyn Murray O'Hair's American Atheists . The prayer in question was:\n\n    Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen.\n\nThe plaintiffs argued that opening the school day with such a prayer (even if students are not required to recite it) violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (as applied to the states through the Fourteenth), which says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The governments of twenty-two states1 signed on to an amicus curiae brief urging affirmance of the New York Court of Appeals decision that upheld the constitutionality of the prayer. The American Ethical Union, the American Jewish Committee, and the Synagogue Council of America each submitted briefs urging the Court to instead reverse and rule that the prayer was unconstitutional.\n\nJustice Hugo Black, writing for the majority, pointed out that the prayer is a religious activity by the very nature of its being a prayer. The majority further ruled that prescribing such a religious activity for school children is inconsistent with the Establishment Clause. That is, the program was created by government officials to promote a religious belief and therefore not permissible.\n\nIn response to the defendant's claims that: (a) the prayer does not respect any specific established religion; and (b) the prayer is voluntary, Black's opinion held that neither of these claims frees it from contradicting the Establishment Clause. The opinion held that the fact that it promotes a religion is sufficient to conclude it is in violation, even if that promotion is not coercive. Furthermore, the opinion held that the fact that the prayer is vaguely worded enough to not promote any particular religion is not a sufficient defense, as it does still promote a family of religions (those that recognize "Almighty God"), which is also a violation of the Establishment Clause.
895902
It is acceptable to violate a law. Speeding to get someone to the hospital. Jaywalking to save someone. Countless others.\n\nI grew up in Boston. Strong Iriish Catholic but no prayer in public schools. My children are now in grade school in TN (Bible belt). They pray in public school. Could not draw Jack-O-Lanterns for halloween because it was satanic. Way over the top for me.
988692
It isn't.  Keeping religion out of schools promotes freedom of religion for *everyone*, of every religion and no religion.  It allows people to send their kids to school without worrying about whether they will be indoctrinated with religious beliefs that they don't agree with, presented as if they were facts.  That's why secular schooling is essential for everyone, religious and atheist alike.
578657
If they teach in a religious institution, then yes.  If they teach in a public institution, no.  If they teach in a private school, then they should act in accordance with the school policy.\n\nI have a very simple rule for answering these questions.  I substitute Satanism in for religion and see how I respond since that is also a religion.  Do I want a teacher in a public school talking about his or her devil worship?  No.  Therefore, no to all religious talk in public schools.
463481
Taking mandatory prayer out of the schools is a good thing. (No, I'm not a Satanic worshiper). The reason being is because there are so many different cultures in America, along with so many different religions. I wouldn't want my children "forced" to say a prayer in any religion. \n\nAt my High School, every morning, the FCA and teens from different churches would meet together at the flagpoles, hold hands around it and say a prayer. There was never anyone who tried to "ban" this activity because they were not imposing their religious belief on others. \nReligion will never fully be removed from the lives of children. Most of History tells a great deal about different religions...the rise and falls of. \n\nHowever, I do believe it is wrong to take "one nation under God" out of the pledge of allegiance. They already have it that a kid doesn't have to say that line if they, or their parents do not believe in God. \n\nIf a person wants their child to be raised in a religious environment, then their parents should send them to a private school based on their religion. In the mean time, pulic schools need to stay unbiased in religion because so many different religions attend public school. \n\nOh, and no, I don't believe Satan has won. He will never win. He is no God. He is a fallen angel, but like us, he is still a creation of God. He's like a little boy at the Mall who throws a fit because his mother won't buy him a piece of candy. He gets punished, but still sulks in the corner...mad now because he didn't get his way and that he was punished. This is how I view Satan. \n\nI hope I have answered your question. Best wishes.
695090
Don't even worry about it. It won't happen. Christian schools don't teach judgement. In fact, they teach the opposite--understanding. I wish I could properly convey in words. . .just how valuable it is to attend a Christian School. You'll have well-rounded children, who grow up to be well-rounded adults. I've seen and attended both sides of the fence. There is no comparison between Christian and Public Schools.  This may sound a little harsh, but you can either 'invest in their future' or 'save for their failure'. I don't know where you live, but where I grew up, that statement would be true more often than not. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions about Christian Schools.  Thank you and God Bless.
409858
The laws of this country are passed on whole as representative of what is best for all.  When a law is controversial, such as abortion or prayer in school, you have to ask yourself who are you to force your belief on other people.\n\nWho are you to tell someone they can't get an abortion, what happened to the right of privacy in the Constitution acquired through substantive rights via the ninth amendment.\n\nWho are you to tell others they must pray in school, what happened to freedom of religion.  What happened to the establishment clause that states a govt may not adopt an official religion, which by sanctioning a type of prayer it could be seen as doing.\n\nI do not mean this response to target you directly, I am asking the questions in general.  But in such instances the minority is being forced to accept the belief of the majority.  What happened to America, the land where religious persecution was wrong, and people could pursue their religion as long as no one was hurt.\n\nYes, america is the land of the majority, but the minority can not be ignored and stepped on.  if a law is not necessary to the functioning of the country, why pass it and oppress a group when no group would be oppressed or harmed were the law not passed.\n\nI am not offended by what you wrote.  I prayed when I was in school, it was a private school, and it was when I first started school, but I enjoyed it, but I would be considered spiritual, and why should what I believe be forced on someone else.\n\nWhat is important in passing laws is the function of govt and society.  Just how badly do the above examples affect either.  If you wish to take part in abortion operations you can, if you object you can abstain.  If you want your child to pray in school send them to a religious school, but don't require the govt force prayer on everyone.\n\nThe problem with majority rule is where do you stop.  When the majority carries favor, when do we say, oh they can win on this but not this.  What about when the majority wants something harmful to the public?\n\nI am not trying to invalidate your point, I very much respect it, and contrary to the tone of my answer, I agree with you to a large extent.  But I think such things are moot.  Many politicians use such things to win favor, but what do they do for you to better your life or the lives of their constituents.  Let me put it this way, would you rather nationwide healthcare, or a ban on nationwide abortion.  which one is better for the public?  which one is more important to you?
472862
There are many cons.  Some of those would be:\n\nNot everybody worships the same God, some worship no God.\nDifferent denominations of the same belief system pray differently.\nIt takes time away from educating the children.\nHow would parents' issues or concerned be addressed? \n\nOne commonly held misconception is that students can not pray in school, they certainly can.  They can not make other pray with them and they can't be disruptive about it. Schools allow Bible clubs and other religious clubs now, they are not compulsory, but they are allowed.\n\nIf you're looking for some good references, I'd suggest the link below.
541657
Where were you when government class taught the seperation of church and state?  I am so tired of hearing about not praying in school.  No one I know ever did except the small country schools years ago.  The founding fathers didn't want one religion to run things so it had no place in government!\nIf there was to be prayer in school, it would take forever: Christian prayer, Buddhist, Wiccan invocation, Hindu, Jewish, etc.  There can never be just one!\nI don't know how you can say God has been kicked out.  Come to Northern California, Texas, Utah, etc.  There are churches on every corner where I live.
1074740
If it's a public school. go to the school district office.  If it's a religious school, inquire at the church
58763
Your teacher or *a* teacher at your school might help (if that helps you).  Also, they might have tutors lined up.  You can try local churches in some communities.  Otherwise, ask your questions here.
586678
Religion is not taught in schools.  We have separation of church and state, meaning that you have freedom of religion and the government won't force a belief on you.  That's why religion is not taught in school.
146349
supposedly no role if you are referring to the public schools.\n\nWhat is the actual subject of your paper.\n\nSchools have played a big part in Removing Religion... or at least those people who complain that their children shouldn't be exposed to even the mention of God.\n\nI wonder what they are using for currency these days.
712526
Employment law makes it illegal to force your employees into religious observance. So, if you are required to be there, then they are breaking federal law, regardless of whether this is a school or another work place. I would suggest to the principal that if he wants to have a private religious gathering for staff on a voluntary basis, he does so at some other location or time.
633568
I see that you are fearful of what people may say. I know how that's like " in school I had to pray for a friend right in front of the whole school and i did it. If you are christian and someone ask you to pray for him/her right  here  and there or a brother ask you to help him pray for a person that second go ahead because god is with you guys. what a honor to pray for someone who understand that they need god to help him/her. Also you lay hands on him/her. Don't misunderstand what I am saying just put a hand over his/her head and pray your heart. The Prayer can be about healing if they need it or about over all status.
216017
obviosly being a bully would be worse, whats wrong with praying? The more we pray the better our schools will be and there will be less bullies.