The Separation of School and State
Families, these days, are becoming more and more religious; yet they can not
decide if religion should actually be a part of the school day. Whether or not religion
should be allowed in public schools is a very controversial issue. Some people strongly
oppose it, and some strongly support it. In fact, they support it so much that the parents
are choosing to pull their children from the public school systems. For decades now,
since 1962, when the U.S. Supreme Court threw prayer out of schools in the case of
Engle V. Vitale ("school prayer..." 1), the separation of school and church has been a
In recent years there has been a rapid growth of teen-prayer groups being
formed. These groups, mostly made up of Christian teens, raise some major concerns
(Newcomb 1). Although religious groups are not allowed to meet during the regular
school day, they can meet after and before school. As a result of so many groups,
children that are not Christian are beginning to question and try their own faith. These
children, the minority, feel left out and uncomfortable. In a survey that was conducted in
Lincoln High School, sixteen students were asked if they would feel left out if students
were publically leading group prayers. The results were varied, although most said they
One anti-religion activist states, "Public schools are for all children, no matter the
religion, and are supported by all taxpayers, and therefore should be free of religious
observances." Another states, "Religion is private, and schools are public-so it is
appropriate that they shouldn't mix (Riley 1). One pro-religion activist responds,
"Schools where clubs of different faiths operate, students can learn to coexist, be
sensitive to different points of view, while still strengthening their own spiritual and moral
beliefs (Newcom...