Prayer in School
For centuries, the debate has existed whether or not to allow prayer in public schools. Many Americans feel it is not the right of the school to teach religion, but the parent. With all the diversity associated with the United States, public schools cannot select one standard religion to practice, due to the cultural and religious differences in this country. Parents are also concerned that, by allowing prayer in schools, children will no longer be attending an educational institute but a religious one. Our forefathers founded this nation on the belief of religious equality. The Federal Constitution, in 1789, received the first of ten amendments, set up to protect the rights of it's citizens, today these ten amendments are considered the Bill of Rights. The first amendment states that, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the governm
If parents desire their children to learn about, and practice a specific religion, there are church related schools that they may attend. Being forced to pray in a specific religion is against the Constitution. Since the diversity is so great, there are many different religions one can follow. The phrase, " 'Almighty God' is included in one of the prayers, professing a belief that atheists agnostics and other non-believers do not hold (Haas, 36). Students who wish to start a religious club, such as Bible Study, have the same rights as all the other clubs within the school. The only criteria the club needs to meet is, "remain completely voluntary and student initiated," (Andryszewski, 22) in addition to the moment of silence which students can use as their own personal time to reflect upon whatever religion or thought they choose. Due to this, public schools should not allow prayer in school. The United States of America has one of the most diverse populations in the world. The author of the Gospel of Matthew stated this clearly: Matthew 6:5-6, "And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corner of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Public schools were built to educate the future leaders of this country.
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