Can I attend a public school and openly pray?
959478
You have the right to pray in school, but you do not have the right to disrupt the school or class with it, or promote a religion.
698506
He definitely can. You only say your prayers out loud to speak the things you ask of into existence, and it shows your faith to God, by your asking for them. I don't think your question sounds silly at all, though. \n\nGod bless♥
969839
I was brought up a Catholic so I have to attend Parochial School.
532487
If I were you I'd look into the Equal Access Act.  In this act, school groups that are religious in nature and/or political in nature, can meet on school grounds AFTER school hours so long as there are non-curriculum groups (such as a chess club) that are also allowed to meet.\n\nThe rules for this are that you are in a public school, that there are non-curriculum related school groups (such as the chess club) and that you (as a religious group) do NOT have a faculty adviser.  Because of the separation of church and state, the school cannot provide you with materials or a teacher, but it MUST provide you (as a child of taxpayers) a place to meet if other groups are allowed to do so.\n\nSo, the simple rule is this: if you are in a public school, you can meet, but you must follow the rules of all other student groups.  You are different from other school groups because of your religious affiliation, however, and the school cannot provide you with an adviser (they can require that one be present (just to make sure there are no other school rules broken since you are still minors), but he or she cannot have anything to do with the group or how it is run.  You probably cannot be photographed in the yearbook, and probably cannot have all of the frills of a regular school group, but you should have access to the school facilities to meet.\n\nThis is what I would suggest you do: make friends with the Christian group in that you should NOT try to get them to disband if the school messes with you.  You are both in the same boat (or should be) and what rules apply to you should apply to them since you are both outside groups meeting on school property after school.  Look into the Equal Access Act and calmly ask for a meeting with the principal to go through it.  Explain that you want to figure out how you can best follow the rules of the school and also follow the rules of the Equal Access Act.  \n\nFor the most part, journalism teachers and advisers are great assistants when it comes to students' rights issues, so if you need help understanding the Act, talk to your yearbook or newspaper adviser or a Social Studies teacher.  Make sure if you ask a faculty member for help you establish that you are NOT asking for them to be your adviser, but you do need some help interpreting an Act.\n\nIn the end, most principals want to do the right thing and be fair to all groups (and follow the law), but they often have trouble with community pressure.  By being patient and non-threatening, you can help your school to understand what it MUST provide you whether or not it believes in what you believe.  The hardest part for you will likely be to establish that yes, you ARE a religious group, and therefore the Equal Access Act does apply to you.  This is because many people believe teens follow this type of religion as a way to get back at their parents.  But once you establish that you are a religious group, this should be easier.\n\nIF and only if being reasonable and calm and going through the act fails to convince your principal, contact the ACLU for a lawyer in your area.  Don't go directly to the lawyer as it's hard to work out a compromise if you bypass the principal (you want the principal to be your friend, not your enemy).
888304
I have never heard anyone say that behavior problems in schools is due to the fact that they are no longer allowed to pray in school. Kids will do as they wish, as they are allowed to do when not punished. If they wanted to pray, they would pray. When they want to act up, they act up. It has nothing to do with taking away prayer from school. \n\nI wholly agree with the 'hypocrites attending worship services'. This is the main reason I stopped going to church for so many years. I figured I would surround myself with true people and be able to worship him better at home than I would somewhere else with others like that.\n\n\nFor all of you that are going crazy saying that her question is suggesting that we should make prayer mandatory is school, you werent paying attention. big surprise. i saw that no where in her question. In fact she was saying the opposite. that prayer has nothing to do with the way kids act at school. \n\nI believe in perhaps a quiet time in which a student can do as they please. Sit there and reflect on what to eat for lunch if they want, those who want to pray, pray.
127109
no. due to the separation of church and state decision in 1946 during the Emerson v. Board of education case brought before the supreme court, the bible and all religious material are not allowed as curriculum material in the united states. students may choose to bring or read it, and quoting passages from it are fine, but it may not be used in the curriculum, and teachers are not allowed to speak of religious beliefs and practices unless a student asks. the ONLY exception is a religion class (world religions) or a private school/college, where taking these courses or attending this school(as in private schools) are by choice. colleges and private schools are not held by the same rules, as they are private companies, if you will.
1117780
Public school is not the place for God & religion to be taught or even presented.  How would the decision be made regarding exactly which religion should be presented?  It would be impossible to represent every religion in our country in our schools.  If you are going to do that, it would only be fair to represent athiests as well.  Think of it this way, would a Catholic family be happy if their childred are being taught Jewish beliefs and vice-versa?\n\nThere are alternatives for people who choose to have their children educated in a religious setting.  If that is something that is important to people they should use those options as opposed to trying to force their beliefs on people who do not share them.
643344
Did you just get one lately? (don't get offended)\n\nI was from a missionary boys' school and it has strict rules. \n\nI guess it would be public caning. \nThey don't do it that often now though. Society has changed.
310170
engel v. vitale was one case involving prayer in public school; the Supreme Court ruled against school prayer in it.  sorry, i'm kind of vague on this but you can check on wikipedia
875795
I consider myself to be a level headed person with rational thought and l have argued this point for years.. Prayer in school is a good thing, the ten commandments in school are a good thing as well.. The only problem l have is when neither of them are in the children's homes..I really don't want my kids educators teaching them how to pray,l feel that if we keep these things in our homes are kids will keep them in their hearts where they belong..
872716
nothing but your own belief. see what you think is right another person might not, thats why it not allowed in school. But i think they should change that rule because in literature it has secret and hidden religious perposes. but any way i think that its just how much faith you have in your own religion.
943379
u might want to get religious
366145
I think the students and teachers that want pray should be allowed to but those who don't shouldn't feel pressured.
1158579
You have just as much right to anything, you can even have your own club, news letter, if they can proclaim it you can, you have just as much right. check out this website, and there are some books on the rights of the student in school. You can do a whole lot more than you thought. I had my own newsletter and held meetings every morning, a prayer and bible reading meeting. In the open. This website also has books on the rights of teachers in the public schools, ... you'd be surprised.
1136052
Well, I'm not familiar with the educational system in Australia, but I  know here in the states, not all private schools are religious in nature. Perhaps you should look for one that is secular in nature.
743752
The previous answers are either, vague or incorrect. The bottom line on current judicial thinking is as follows:\n\nPer the "Establishment Clause," it is unlawful for schools to initiate any form of prayer in schools or at school events, such as graduations or sporting events, etc.\n\nPer the "Free Exercise Clause," students are free to pray at school, and organize non-faculty-led prayer or Bible study groups. They may even request the use of school facilities for these meetings, as the Supreme Court has ruled that these groups have as legitimate a claim as any other student organization like Junior Achievement or the Chess Club.\n\nI hope this helps
441539
The major con in my opinion is that prayer in schools will promote one religion, when the students attending that school may be from many different religions.\n\nThere is no way to allow every child to say a prayer to every religion, so therefore, they shouldn't acknowledge any particular religion.\n\nA moment of silence is fine.  Each student can decide to pray, to reflect on the day, or to do nothing.  It favors no one and alienates no one.