Prayer In Schools Research Paper

No, a teacher in a public school cannot hold a prayer meeting for students during school hours. Although one may see it as a violation of their 1st Amendment right, one cannot hold prayer in a public school setting because it is unlawful. In 1984, during the U. S. Supreme Court case Wallace v Jaffree, eliminated was a statute requiring a moment of silence that students could use for silent prayer or meditation, which is a valid application of the Free Exercise Claus, because it appeared as a purpose of promoting religion which is in violation of the Establishment Claus. The only type of prayer allowed is private, voluntary student prayer that doesn't interfere with the schools educational program. For example, students can say a prayer before
eating a meal. However, teachers must not promote or encourage a student's personal prayer. Students may engage with other students in religious activity during non school hours as long as it is not coercive or disruptive. Furthermore, it is also important to make sure that the religious activity is actually student-initiated, and that no school employee supervises or participates in the activity.