Prayer in Public Schools

Should a Catholic school be reimbursed by the state for school supplies?

Should there be time set aside in school for kids to pray? These are some of

the many questions the U.S. Supreme Court asks themselves when they are

confronted with cases involving religion in school. Although there are some

sound supporting arguments for prayer in school, the opposing arguments

more than justify the non-religious atmosphere of public school. Supporting

arguments for In School Prayer have little validity. For instance one argument

is that the framers of the constitution were religious, so they didn't mean to

prohibit all government sponsored prayer or acknowledgment of "GOD." This

is assuming one way just to be in favor of the In School Prayer idea.

Pro-Prayer activists also believe that it is VERY important for the nation's

children to have religious values instilled in them. I strongly disagree with this

statement solely because they are assuming that someone without a religion

has lower or no values as compared to a religious person. Valid arguments on

this side of the issue are rare, but they do exist. One example is that in public

polls, seventy-eight percent of the nations thinks prayer in public schools is a

good idea. This logical at first, but the truth is many polls convey the notion

that voluntary prayer before, after, and during school is forbidden. Another

argument addresses the fact that religion is already everywhere anyway. It is

on our currency, our leaders are sworn into office with reference to "GOD,"

and our flag salute also contains religious statements. These are good points to

address, however, I believe they are wrong as well. "Two wrongs don't make

a right." Opposing arguments are a lot more convincing than the supporting

points. First of all, students have the right to conduct religious practices on

school property, so there is no need to set aside specific time in the curriculum

for prayer. Secondly, how could a school have