Separation
of Church and State
Since 1948,
the debate over pray in public schools has been challenged in the United States
court systems. In two landmark
decisions- Engel v. Vitale, which was on June 25, 1962 and Abington School
District v. Schempp, on June 17, 1963- The Supreme Court declared school
sponsored prayer and Bible readings as unconstitutional. The case of Engel v.
Vitale put an end to a New York city school’s required prayer, at the start of
the day and Engel v. Vitale set a precedent for future cases. In Abington
School District v. Schempp, the court declared school sponsored Bible readings
and the recitation of the Lord’s prayer as unconstitutional.
There are
several reasons why prayer should be in public schools:
-Even though
the United States Supreme court banned school-sponsored prayer in public
schools over 50 years ago, most Americans agree that prayer should be in
schools. Most Americans support allowing
students to pray in public school classrooms.
A new Gallup shows that 61 percent of Americans are in favor of allowing
daily prayer to be spoken in the classroom.
-Prayer in
schools would help instill morality and help combat issues in our society such
as school shootings, bullying, increased drug use, alcoholism, teen pregnancy,
and sexual promiscuity.
-Allowing
prayer in school has the ability to transform communities. There would be a
reduction in violence and we’ll see families and communities restored.
-Prayer in
schools would help nurture a child’s soul and reinforce the values that are
being taught or not being taught in the home and in our communities.
-Prayer in
schools can help guide students to make the right decisions and to make better
choices throughout their school years.
-Prayer in
schools would allow faith based students to have an opportunity to observe
their religious beliefs during the day.
There are
several reasons why prayer does not belong in public schools:
-It would
violate the Constitution.
-It would
not be fair or just. Most of those
advocating for pray in schools are advocating for Christian prayer. If Christian pray were allowed in schools,
then prayer of other religions (Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and Hindu, etc.)
should be allowed, as well.
-It would
place a burden on the schools. Teaching
and monitoring religion is not the purpose of public schools and the staff are
not trained to do this.
-Some
believe the place for prayer and religious instruction is in the home, the
church, the synagogue and the mosque, etc.
and it is the responsibility of the parent to educate their children on
religious matters and not the schools responsibility.
-Individuals
who advocate for prayer in school, may have less then Christian reasons for
their advocacy; reasons like getting elected or re-elected to public office by
sincere, but uninformed voters.
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