I was just thinking about this last night. Where I live it just seems like people are concerned with selfish desires: cars, clothes, houses, toys, etc. And I thought: Why is there such moral decay where I live? Is it everywhere in America? Is it because of no prayer in schools?
I used to sing patriotic songs with the name "God" in them weekly. For some families, that's the only "religion" they get growing up. Since things have changed, fewer people know about God, His goodness, etc.
But in the same token, it gives Christians more creative way to show God's goodness--by being loving to those who don't deserve it...those that are hard to love.
Still, can't help but wonder if more missionaries should stay and evangelize in America and not just overseas. There's a world of hurting people right in your own backyard. That could help out a lot. And of course having the option/freedom of praying at school at will. That would help so many kids. I used to teach.
Prayer is allowed at my childrens' school. But that's because we homeschool. I'm glad that prayer is not allowed to be a part of public schools. If you wanted it to be, then it would be open to all faiths. I wouldn't want my children having Mohammed promoted to them at school or Buddha or any of the other false prophets. Sure I wouldn't mind if Jesus was promoted, but whose version of Jesus? What if it was some Jahova's Witness teacher or some Mormon teacher. I don't feel like having to reprogram my children when the get home from school. If public schools are open to all children and teachers from all religions, I definitely don't want religion taught there. I prefer it taught at home and church where we can teach them the truth.
Originally Posted by madisson1101
obody is stopped from praying during non-instructional times in the schools. I have had students witness to each other in front of me, ON THEIR OWN TIME.
I often wonder why it all of the country's problems are blamed on prayer being taken out of the public schools. I don't believe it has. What has been taken is IMPOSED Christian prayers. Christians are free to pray, on their time not the school's.
Great responses! It's gratifying to know that some people "get it" about prayer in public school.
I don't see the problem with a moment of silence, but I'm absolutely against imposed prayer in public school.
Ringo
__________________ "As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion"
-- Treaty of Tripoli, 1797. Presented to Congress and signed by everyone in attendance.
"The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretence, infringed.''
-- Madison's original proposal for the Bill of Rights
"I ain't afraid of your Yahweh
I ain't afraid of your Allah
I ain't afraid of your Jesus
I'm afraid of what you do in the name of your God"
-- 'I Ain't Afraid' by The Klezmatics
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I really don't understand all the debate on this subject. Everyone has a chance to have her own time of reflection during lunch. My high school never had prayer time, but I never felt restricted, so what's the problem?
Religion has no place in public schools. You ARE a hypocrite, in fact. You'd be OK with Christian religion being taught to your children, but not Muslim religion, because of the propaganda you have been fed about the religion.
It's quite a shame people have come to this. There is absolutely no respect for other people's beliefs.
Religion has no place in public schools. You ARE a hypocrite, in fact. You'd be OK with Christian religion being taught to your children, but not Muslim religion, because of the propaganda you have been fed about the religion.
It's quite a shame people have come to this. There is absolutely no respect for other people's beliefs.
The US government disagrees with you. the Equal Access Act leaves lots of room for students to freely express religios ideas, to wear religious clothing, read religious books etc. in public schools.
The US government disagrees with you. the Equal Access Act leaves lots of room for students to freely express religios ideas, to wear religious clothing, read religious books etc. in public schools.
They can pray of their own accord, but the OP wants prayer to be said, initiated by the teachers. Which is wrong.
I am a mature Christian woman who has been teaching in the public schools for over 20 years. I also earned a Masters in Social Work, and work part time in a psychiatric hospital. In the school in which I teach, I have students from all over the world, and of every major religion in the world, including Islam, Hindu, and Buddhist, along with Christians and Jews.
In my school are many Christian teachers, and several of us gather each morning for prayer for our school, the students, teachers as well as our country. I teach middle school Social Studies and work hard to educate my students on the Bill of Rights, as many have come from countries where such rights are nonexistant.
I raised my children in public schools, and they led many of their friends to the Lord, some right in school.
Am I dishonoring the Lord by believing that it is inappropriate to push for Christian prayers to be returned to the public schools? Nobody is stopped from praying during non-instructional times in the schools. I have had students witness to each other in front of me, ON THEIR OWN TIME.
I often wonder why it all of the country's problems are blamed on prayer being taken out of the public schools. I don't believe it has. What has been taken is IMPOSED Christian prayers. Christians are free to pray, on their time not the school's.
Sorry to be so long winded. I am new to this forum, but not new to CF.
Trish
I completely agree with you. I think that in our culture this push for prayer in public school misses the scriptural point of Matthew's gospel that prayer is to be an approach to God, not a presentation for the people.
Take "Meet at the Poll" for instance. Very often this event is more about the spectacle of prayer rather than a genuine approach to the throne of God. In other words, people want to be seen praying to make a point about the prayer and about politics and culture. In that sense the prayer is for them, not God.
In the interest of full disclosure I am a clergy person in the Presbyterian Church. I very much believe in prayer and it's power to transform. But I don't believe that prayer should ever be used to make or score political or cultural points.
In the interest of full disclosure I am a clergy person in the Presbyterian Church. I very much believe in prayer and it's power to transform. But I don't believe that prayer should ever be used to make or score political or cultural points.
QFT!!!! Bolded for excellence!!
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God
The last temptation that's the greatest treason, is to do the right deed for the wrong reason. T.S. Eliot
Linear Mode
