However, the case was a combination of cases brought by O'hair and a Unitarian family from Philadelphia. What's more interesting is that a ruling was taken into consideration by a woman who was deemed the most hated in America. For more information please see this article found on Americans United For Separation of Church and State.
The Push For Prayer in schools has been at the forefront of many debates. Having students pray within their respective schools has been a controversial topic for many people across the United States. With the 50th anniversary of the removal of prayer from schools in 1962 occurring, the topic has come up as to whether or not there is a need to return to having prayer happen in the school systems and any other public place.
Many believe that since 1962's call to remove prayer, the public schools quality of education has been on the continued decline. There has also been an overall increase in violent crime, divorce rates have increased tremendously and even births to single mothers have been on the steady rise.
Below we see supporters rallying to have prayer back, particularly in our schools, supporting the Georgia House Bill 816 while also addressing the negative impacts removing prayer has had.
The "Great Debate" has fueled quite a few social media and social movements that are rallying around prayer in schools. The Reset Movement (@JesusisTheReset #JesusistheReset) rallies around prayer focused on Jesus Christ alone. There are also two other movements, 24-7 Prayer (@247Prayer) and Multicultural Prayer Movement that draws on the beauty of interdenominational linking to have prayer across all faiths.
The bottom line is that prayer has a positive impact on every aspect of life. When tragedy strikes, people resort to prayer, When people are in need they ask for prayer. People who do not identify with any particular faith tend to ask for guidance from others they know follow a higher being. Prayer is positive. No matter your affiliation prayer is involved in some form or fashion. Just look at how people of varying faith and association came together around Orlando...
Case Law
Schempp v. Abington Township School District
Over 50 years ago there were several case laws that sealed the decision to not allow prayer in public schools, and this only leads me to believe that the United States government did not find value in prayer for it's students.
Schempp v. Abington Township School District- This was a legal case that decided in favor of Edward Schempp. Schempp did not believe his child should be forced to participate in school organized prayer. During this time, children enrolled in Pennsylvania public schools were required to read 10 bible readings in class and recite the Lord's prayer once a day. Edward Schempp was not in agreement with this practice with regards to his own child, so the United States Supreme court ruled on June 17th 1963, in an 8-1 decision that legally, mandated bible reading or prayer in public school was unconstitutional.
Engel v. Vitale
In 1962 Engel v. Vitale set a precedent for all other cases regarding the use of pray in public schools. A group of parents, which included Steven Engel objected to the mandatory prayer that was occurring in New York City public schools. The issue of school sponsored non-denominational prayer violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from making any law respecting an establishment of religion. This clause not only prohibits the government from establishing an official religion, but it also prohibit the government from favoring one religion over another. Also, this clause prohibits the government from favoring religion over non-religion or non-religion over religion.
No comments:
Post a Comment