Preview

Prayer Should Not Be Allowed In Public Schools

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
717 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Prayer Should Not Be Allowed In Public Schools
There is an ongoing debate on whether or not prayer should or should not be allowed within the public school system. Often the argument is validated so as to not allow the actions of [prayer] disturb or influence another. The points of which both sides present are valid, however I believe there needs to be a middle ground. A way to compromise and allow for those who wish to pray be able to do so and those who don’t to not even be exposed to it.

There are many religions where prayer is of the utmost importance. Spiritualism and being close to the creator by praying keeps one’s faith strong and on point. If you visit a hospital or an airport and in some cases even the workplace there is an established room or meeting place of ambiguous denomination for those needing to perform either obligatory prayer or just when the individual feels it necessary. These [places] of worship are provided not only for the person who needs to use them to have a quiet and separate space but also for those who are not interested in prayer to not witness it or be involved.
…show more content…
Having the dedicated time or space available to them would allow for privacy and keep from interfering with those who oppose it. A sort of “out of sight, out of mind” idea. In the U.S. Constitution the freedom of one’s religion is provided so why not within a public institution. The Pledge of Allegiance quotes the words “One Nation Under God”; not under Jesus, Mohammed or Buddha. However one chooses their faith is between them and God and no man should be the one to interfere with

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    However, society stills considers this a contentious debate that shows this is still a sensitive topic among religious and non-religious Americans. Armstrong Williams writes in his article “We Need More Prayer”, “A few moments of prayer in schools seems a small thing - harmless enough, almost to the point of insignificance. Yet it has provoked an impassioned firestorm of debate about the dangers of imposing viewpoints…” Prayers is school may be innocent enough but it can and does marginal religious minorities. These debates being had throughout the country on the topic of religious prayers in public schools is an issue that almost certain will end in a stalemate. There are far too many voices that are being heard regarding this issue and none seems to be willing to compromise. But this is a good thing. People can agree to disagree and this is good for the country. Expression and speech are two great rights we have as US citizens and we have the right even compelled to use said rights. However the Government is not made up of one individual who has one voice and speaks for all. It is made up of many people with many voices that speak for everyone. Religious prayer simply cannot exist in schools because there are too many religions. It has too many voices of faith and faiths which hosts many different deities. Government and areas of public learning should just…

    • 1173 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    As the student is giving the prayer there is no open forum as would be the case during public speeches. Without this in place, prayers before sporting events are not considered to be public speeches but are considered to be sponsored by the school. The new policy the school had to elect students to be the spokespersons to deliver the prayers was also criticized, leading the justices to believe the school was still controlling the process. The Court found the voting process that was used by the district of voting for if the prayer would be given at an event and who would give the prayer also caused rival political factions between different religion groups at the school. The voting process would create a majority win over the different religions within the district and that would be the religious voice that all would hear. The policy the district has fails to protect the rights of the minority of students. All the factors resulted in the policy of the district to be…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The education of the nation’s youth has always been a contentious issue. One of the largest issues facing the education system is the integration of sectarian religions such as prayers into the classroom and other extensions of the education system. In the mid to late 1900s, several court cases went before the Supreme Court involving various aspects of state sponsored prayers. The two major cases involving prayers in schools were Engel v. Vitale and Abington v. Schempp. Within these two cases, the Court successfully and diligently balanced the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause and paved the way for the Lemon Test and Endorsement Test.…

    • 635 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The New York Board of Regents penned the following prayer to be spoken in New York public schools: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our Country” (Unger and Unger 223). The prayer was intended to be simple, inoffensive, and inclusive but the reaction was quite the opposite; the controversy that ensued became the stepping-stone for one of the most controversial topics of modern day activism and politics. Mr. Justice Black delivered the assertion that, “it is nether sacrilegious nor antireligious to say that each separate government in this country should stay out of the business of writing or sanctioning official prayers and leave the purely religious function to the people themselves and to those the people choose to look to for religious guidance” (Unger and Unger 226). I disagree with the idea that religion does not belong in the publics school systems of America; however, I feel as though the governing powers should leave religion to those who care to partake in it.…

    • 992 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Engel and four other parents -- two Jews, an atheist, a Unitarian, and another Protestant -- complained that the prayer was "contrary to the beliefs, religions, or religious practices of both themselves and their children." (Religion in public schools: Engel v. Vitale) After the five parents discussed this topic they came up with a case, and at the end found victory. ” The duty to uphold the Constitution is a fundamental difference between public schools and religious schools.” (Religion and Public Schools).…

    • 1697 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    In the“Second Inaugural Address” by Abraham Lincoln, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass, “Runagate Runagate” by Robert Hayden, and “Declaration of Sentiments” by Elizabeth Cady Stanton the speakers talk about a certain freedom that needs to be expanded to different genders and race. Prayer in school should also be allowed in all schools because many students need a time during the school day where they can have a time of silence, so they can talk to God. Not everyone needs this in their school day, but that does not mean everyone is the same way. When the students are able to talk to God, their minds will be more cleared and they will not be focused on the challenges they are struggling with.…

    • 1509 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sociology Quiz

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The debate over religion inside public schools in the United States is understood under the broader context of:…

    • 1248 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I see school prayer as a moral issue because although it does state in the constitution the separation of church and state, I believe that this issue is just a conflict between religious people and liberal people that don’t believe in religion. I think it is morally wrong to force someone into a religion but I don’t see how prayer does that, if you don’t believe then don’t do the prayer and that is all. B. It is not proper for one religion to impose its morality and doctrine on another if and when they are doing it out of legal bounds, besides that I believe it is acceptable to say what you…

    • 806 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Prayer in Public Schools

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Since the US Supreme Court ruled that prayer should not be in public schools, it has changed the way Americans feel towards religion and state and it has also affected the upbringing of our children.…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Warren Court

    • 278 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Warren Court affected prayer in public schools. Engel v. Vitale decision states that prayer is no longer allowed in public schools. John F Kennedy suggested a "remedy" to people who disagree with Engel vs. Vitale. He says to pray more at home and not in school. However, prayer in public schools continued. Prayers are part of school activities from early morning moments of silence to lunchtime prayer sessions. The issue in this continuing debate is that people wanted to continue fighting religion in school.…

    • 278 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Over seventy-six percent of the adolescents in America believe in a personal God (Regnerus). Despite this fact, the stigma surrounding the debate of separating school from religion mostly brings religious talk in education to a stand-still. Religion has presented itself in society for as long as history has recorded life in societies, and many individuals still practice their faith. In today’s society, however, teachers and educators rarely mention religion outside of Social Studies classes in public school systems. Yet, science has proven that allowing religion in lives affects and improves the quality of life. Public schools should allow religion because the presence increases test scores, results in better behavior, and leads to an overall happier life.…

    • 1845 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prayers in Schools

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages

    My name is Ericka Jaid Laurett heil. I have long brown hair and I have blue eyes and I am 5’6. My interests are drawing, playing Xbox, babysitting, watching family guy, and sleeping. My expectations for myself are to pass high school not failing any classes. I was close to failing my expectation because I failed math. But I took credit recovery and got the credit! I wish to be a pediatrician because I love kids and helping them and making them happy. Activities that I enjoy are volleyball, basketball and I used to play soccer but my knees and ankles are bad.…

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The world today has many issues and conflicting arguments. One of the arguments that has caught my attention is whether or not there should be prayer in school. According to Rebecca Klein, with (HuffPost Education), in the year of 2014 around 61% of Americans agree with daily prayer in school. While on the other hand, 37% of Americans do not agree with having prayer in school. To me, the schools in the United States should be allowed to have prayer in school because; morals should be taught, to restore Christianity, and to give the students the opportunity to express their feelings.…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Even though we have this separation, there have been debates for decades calling for changes. This argument is strongest when it comes to the public school system. There have been controversies over prayer in schools, teaching of evolution, and displaying the Ten Comandments.In the article “Does religion have a place in public schools?” it states, “Indeed, while public schools, which are run by the government, must allow students to express their own religious views, the First Amendment prevents the schools from endorsing religion or creating an environment that forces students to participate in religious exercises.” The only schools that are exempt from government laws are private schools. They can promote any religion they wish. There…

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Prayer is a spiritual communion with God or a way of worship. Since prayer has been eliminated from schools for 53 years, we have had a six-folds in violent crimes, the suicide rate tripled has tripled, teen pregnancy has doubled, and SAT and ACT test scores have dropped by more than 10%. Prayer in school may not be the only thing that causes problems, but it is one of the reasons that we result in spiritual decline as well as school and work decline. Some United States citizens realized not only because prayer is apart of their religion they need prayer to open knowledge to God…

    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics