Prayer in Public Schools

Prayer in Public Schools

Introduction

The issue of prayer in public schools is one of the most debated topics in our school system today. There are many arguments against school prayer. The two most prominent arguments against school prayer are “separation of church and state” and “violation of the Constitution”. Those that oppose school prayer also argue that religion is private and has no place in schools because schools are public, so the only solution is to keep them separated; and if prayer is allowed in public schools it would create barriers between the children that do not have any sort of religious beliefs. There are several reasons why those that oppose school prayer feel the way they do. They feel that neither schools nor the government should encourage any type of prayer sessions in the public schools.

Teachers, administrators and concerned citizens need to oppose all forms of school prayer in public schools, regardless of whether or not there is a particular school prescribed prayer or whether each student creates his or her own prayer. They believe that setting aside valuable time of the school day for prayer, is taking away from the students learning and that the state is giving support to religious practices. They also feel that, public schools are government institutions and public school teachers and administrators are, technically government employees (Ackerman, 2001).

Debate over the Issue

A school district is a government unit and entity to the same degree a county or city is a government entity. When a school sets aside time for anything, the school is directly giving support to that activity or practice given the time. They believe that, in our nation, with its precious religious freedom, there is no place for the state, via public schools, to support religion.

Separation of church and state means that the state should be neutral towards religion and setting aside school time for official prayer is far from religious neutrality. Furthermore, by setting aside school time for prayer sessions; the school is indirectly supporting particular religious beliefs and practices. I feel that these arguments are not sound, and our American heritage blends church and state rather than separates them.

On the other side of the school prayer debate are a large number of parents who wants their children to have prayer in public schools. They argue that separation of church and state is not even in the constitution, and that the suggestion that prayer in public schools is a violation of the First Amendment rests on the assumption that a common prayer is synonymous with the establishment of a state religion. They also argue denying prayer in schools will deprive children of their freedom of religion, and prayer is an essential element for the moral development of children. By allowing prayer in public schools, it would allow children to express their religious beliefs and observe their beliefs during the school day. School prayer supporters are assuming that prayer works, and that there is a prayer hearing ...