Prayer in Schools

[mathinspiration]

What are your views on this?

 

[badatusernames]

What kind of school prayer?

1) Organized, school/administrative/teacher/formal student lead or directed prayer, especially only of one religion - No, shouldn't be allowed.

2) Literally any other kind of prayer happening in school - Is allowed and should be allowed.

 

[Introverted1293]

I think prayer in school is good. I saw a YouTube video where students were outside of their school praying. I am actually jealous that they have such strong faith. When I was that young my face was never that strong.

 

[Freedom~Sprite]

What are your views on this?

No one can stop prayer occuring in school. Open prayer, led by a principle over the intercom before classes start on the day? No, that's not in keeping with the eclectic makeup of a secular school. However, anyone can pray in school. And carry their Bible if they wish .

Atheist fronts thought they gained a victory when open prayer like I mentioned, over the intercom, was prohibited by the court. However, it didn't stop Christians and any other member of any faith from praying when they see fit.
Now, the worldly push to turn America away from righteousness has gone so far as to see some public schools not even having a pledge of allegiance allowed to be openly said in school.

The only way evil prevails is if good people do nothing to stop it.

 

[ViaCrucis]

What are your views on this?

In the United States public schools are government-run schools, and as such organized prayer isn't permissible as it violates the US Constitution's freedom of religion clause. The freedom of religion clause specifically prohibits Congress from the establishment of religion; but historically attempts at establishment of religion at any federal or local level has been opposed, as early as Thomas Jefferson's 1786 Bill for Establishing Religions which de-established the Anglican Church as the state religion of Virginia--even before the passing of the Constitution. James Madison and other leading founders were opposed to all religious establishment by state authorities on the basis of individual religious freedom for all.

So organized prayer is not acceptable here in the United States because it violates the freedom of religion clause and impedes on the religious freedom of both faculty and the student body.

However, students have always been allowed to pray in school--because to deny students the right to pray would be a violation of their Constitutional freedom as individuals. When there have been cases of schools trying to impede on this freedom, usually by way of ignorance, the courts have consistently sided with the students' right of worship and religious freedom.

This, of course, is simply how it works here in the US. How it works in other countries is obviously different, especially in places which continue to have state religions, such as the UK in which the Church of England remains the established religion and the monarch the de jure head of the CoE.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[jayem]

I was a public elementary school student in the late 50s/early 60s. Before lunch break, we all recited "God is great, God is good. Let us thank him for our food." It was just a rote, perfunctory exercise that-- as far as I know--no one took seriously. That's what school prayer will be become: a meaningless routine.

 

[Paidiske]

In a religious school, prayer can be as much a part of the fabric of school life as the leadership see fit. In a state school prayer should be a private matter (as in, not school-organised; it can still be shared by a group), and a free choice.

How it works in other countries is obviously different, especially in places which continue to have state religions, such as the UK in which the Church of England remains the established religion and the monarch the de jure head of the CoE.

I'm nitpicking, but she's not the head of the church. That belongs to Christ. She's the supreme governor on earth of the C of E. (I know it's a small matter, but it's a big principle).

 

[DavidFirth]

What are your views on this?

I think it should be allowed. Those that do not want to participate shouldn't be required to and shouldn't be harassed about it.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

As long as there are final exams there will be prayer in schools.

 

[Liza B.]

What are your views on this?

So many people do not understand this. Sadly, even some school personnel.

The ONLY thing that is prohibited is school personnel leading a prayer. That's it. School personnel can pray at school. Children can pray at school. Bibles and other religious texts can be brought to school. If children are given an open assignment, and write about God or their faith, that is to be allowed. Etc.

Even though I am a Christian, I do not want "prayer back in school". I don't. Because it would be meaningless--it would be some gov't sanctioned, scrubbed up version not dedicated to Jesus Christ. However. Lots and lots of secularists think the default religion in school is then secularism. It is not. Our schools do not have to be scrubbed of religion. Jesus Christ does not have to be checked at the school room door. Sorrynotsorry, secularists.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I think to accommodate peoples faiths, in all their variety, is ok. I would like to see virtual prayer with holographic priests etc.

 

[Paidiske]

I would not like to see a holographic priest. Ministry is inherently personal and relational; a hologram would be a pretence, not the real thing.

 

[Dave-W]

What are your views on this?

As long as there are final exams and pop quizzes, there will be prayer in school.