I read the other day that praying is banned in public schools in the US... i don't understand why...
In my country... there are a lot of religious groups eventhough the major and official religion is Catholicism... and there is an ongoing somewhat religious war in the south (Muslim rebels trying to wage a holy war against the government)... but this did not lead to the banning of prayer or religion in private or public schools...
I just dont understand why they would ban prayer... please enlighten me with this?...
[question posted by aseretdd]
responses and comments:
This is a very hot topic here in the U.S.. You'll get a lot of stuff about separation from church and state, but bottom line, I think prayer should be allowed in public schools. I don't think it harms anything, and to deny the right, is sad and wrong. Now as I type this I hope no one starts an argument about my opinion because seriously, people get riled up about this. [AmbiePam]
AMEN!! AMEN!! I think the good ole US of A is a very blessed nation, has no want for anything and an abundance of what we do have...but God can snatch it right out from under them if they don't be very very careful!! This is what our nation that was founded upon God has slumped to. [kcook57]
I for one do not understand that. Why do we want to take GOD out of everything. And that is what has happened here in the USA, Before we know it, it will be taken off of our money. I am not saying it will for sure. But saying GODS name anymore seems like a dirty word to people. For example. A girl in my daughters 5th grade class was talking about something that she had learned at Church. There was a big deal over this and letters was sent home to the students parents. I did not see it to be a problem but alot of other parents did. I want my children to know about GOD. At Christmas plays that they have at school they no longer have any of the songs in them about Jesus. [dtroas]
Oh my... even during Christmas plays... the omitted songs about Jesus... then they should chang the name Christmas... since it was derived from Jesus CHRIST... i don't see anything wrong with prayer... or talking about what one learned in Church school... so i really don't understand the reason behind this... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Cant enlighten you,but I would say this. If kids want to pray,let them pray If they dont want to pray,dont try and force them to. Its simple really But you just know some people dont do the simple option. My kids are not Christian,and I wouldnt expect them to have ever had to attend prayers. [rintintin]
Since the US is the biggest democracy in the world... i just don't understand why it is following the communist doctrine when it comes to religion... people should always have the right to choose... just what you mentioned here... force is never be an option when it comes to religion or prayer... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
hello aseretdd Why should praying be banned in schools?... i have no idea, but here in the United States, and in the State of Tennessee, no praying is allowed in school. so now, instead of having a morning prayer in school for everybody, the elementary school where my children attend the fourth grade and the second grade, they have a moment of silence, so each individual can pray at that moment if they would like to silenty to themselves. and i wish that somebody could enlighten me with this as well. have a wonderful evening. [RLFinNash]
your very welcome. [RLFinNash]
I agree with the banning of prayers in schools because praying to God is a very personal thing. Forcing someone to pray in school is not a very good way to bring them closer to God. Some meant even resent relgion for it. Aside from that not everyone is the same religion & because of this people have different ways of praying. For instance, not everyone makes the sign of the cross when they are done praying. [robsbrooklyngirl]
Well, i believe that prayer and religion should not be forced on others... but it should also not be denied on those who want to express it... there should be guidelines on how people can express their religion... and to totally ban it from schools is like against freedom of religion and freedom of expression... Respect is the main key here... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
In my mind religion is a private matter. The parents may pray with their children all they want, and bring them to church whenever they want. I think that public schools are for everyone, no matter what religion they belong to. To me it is a matter of respect. I do not think that christians would take having their kids be part of muslim prayers five times a day lightly. Nor do I think it is a good thing to have people pray to a god they do not believe in. It is disrespectful both to the kids that must take part in prayers to someone they do not believe in, and to the people whose god people prey to when they do not believe. Freedom of religion is in fact one of the human rights. No sivilized society should ever even consider breaking the human rights. No harm in taking part in prayers to a god they do not believe in? Well, it might be. And it is not up to christians to decide if it is harmfull for muslim or budist or jewish or agnostic kids to take part in christian prayer. That is up to them and their parents. What good can it possibly do to force prayers on somone? Force never leads to anything good in my mind. This does not mean that I do not think christianity should be taught in school. I think everyone needs to learn about it. But religious acts are something completely different. Religious acts should only be performed when it means something special to the ones performing them [teison2]
It is definitely not good to force people particularly children to pray... i for one am against that... but why deny the act to those who want to do it?... religion my have brought negative things but we cannot deny the fact that there are also a lot of positive aspects attached to it... We must not concentrate our efforts in eradicating something that may in fact bring good to society... banning prayer is not the answer... Thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I'm not really sure what the reason is. I know that the US constitution allows freedom of speech. When I was younger, it seems like they allowed prayer in school, even in public schools. Of course it was expected in private schools, but I think the reason it was banned was because parents of kids who were not believers complained that the schools were requiring their kids to pray and to keep them happy they banned it for everyone. That is just my understanding of it. If this is not accurate, pleas let me know. Have a great day!!! [daeckardt]
Well, i do not think that banning is the only solution... since that is like a violation of freedom of expression... a time for silence is a good thing... [aseretdd]
Our country was founded on a principal of separation between church and state, an idea strongly endorsed by Thomas Jefferson, who was the primary author of our Declaration of Independence. In our educational system it is allowable to have private schools and some of these are owned and administered by different religious organizations and in these schools, prayer is allowed. The public schools, on the other hand, are owned by the state and since there is no state religion in the US, allowing prayer in the schools would create unrest with the different denominations warring against one another in a desire to dominate. Jefferson's reasoning on this follows from John Locke's thoughts on the Difference between Civil and Ecclesiastical Power. Our country's structure is built on a system of checks and balances where the government is divided into three power blocks, so the speak. They are the legislature, the judiciary, and the executive branches. Religion is a mater of individual freedom, not a branch of government. The reason US stands for the United States is that men like Jefferson recognized the need for people to agree on matters of government, for a government divided against itself will long stand. [drannhh]
I remember reading something about this during American History class... and now that you mentioned it... my country's government is patterned after that of the US... even the constitution... and after being under Spanish rule for like 300 years... it was during the American period when the separation between the church and state was implemented... But i do not think that prayer can cause a lot of unrest in a society as diverse as the US... but if that would indeed happen... then i do not think totally banning it from public schools is the answer... instead... school policies that would benefit all concern should be made... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Private schools allow prayer in the US. The public schools are funded by the government. In the US there is seperation of church and state. I think religion should be taught but every religion should be taught. I do not believe kids should pray in school as we all have different beliefs. Religion is taught in the home and that is where it should stay. I don't care what others believe in but I don't want it forced on my kids. I have been teaching my kids about different belief systems and my hope is that when they get old enough they will decide what religion is best suited for them. [skinnychick]
Well, the problem is that... a lot of people are not yet mature in terms of religion... some feels like we are still in the dark ages... but slowly... i can see and feel some change... [aseretdd]
i do not know why it is banned.in our country, except some church schools, none of the prayers held at schools are related to any particular religion. it is very well organized and children sing prayer songs not from any religion. [subha12]
That is nice to know... in my country... prayer is not at all banned... eventhough there are a lot of denominations and religious groups... it is even encouraged... seems like it is only in the US and in some communist countries where praying is banned... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
people should be allowed to pray in school. IN THEIR OWN TIME. so at lunchtime, whatever. if that's how they students want to spend the time, then no one should stop it. but it shouldn't be a part of things like school assemblies or classes. no one should be put in a position where they are expected to pray. because the students religious and spiritual beleifs is none of the schools business. [Galena]
I definitely agree with you... since there are different students with diffent religions... and some do not have any at all... praying should be done at their own convenient time... this is better than banning praying totally... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I think prayers should be a part of schooling because we send our children to schools not only to learn how to earn money but also to become good human beings and for that religion and prayers should be taught in school. [dbhattji]
You have a good point... but i think this is applicable when children who go to that particular school have the same religion... but if not... then the school should devise a program that will respect the belief and culture of all students... and foster respect and tolerance at the same time.. thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
The constitution of the United States guarantees the separation of church and state. What most people don't realize is that that means the government can't mandate what religion people have to practice. The government has a minister that opens each day that congress and the senate is in session with prayer. The schools can have student lead prayers separated from the classroom. The fear of the schools is that if they allow any prayers that the ACLU will sue the school and cost the schools a lot of money. May people don't know that church Services were held in the government building at the beginning of this country's history. John Quincy Adams writes in his diary that he attended church in the capitol building in the morning and then in the afternoon he attended service inn the Treasury building. December 4,1800 congress decided that the Capitol would also serve as a church building. Prayer being taken out of the schools is an example of how one person that makes enough noise can change a whole education system. She was Madalyn Murray O'Hair. [deebomb]
I just wonder how the person you stated here created the noise against praying in school... i will surely research that... the US and most countries which came under its jurisdiction... like my country... is founded under the guidance of God... so i just don't understand why it is slowly shutting God away... people can choose to have or not to have any religion... but that doesn't mean we have to totally ban it from a place where people learn to be good citizens... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I shake my head and wonder, too. This country was founded on belief in God and for the sake of nonbelievers, prayer has been banned. Now there's talk of removing "one nation under God" from the pledge of allegiance and it's just not right. That move is getting a lot of opposition. It's not right that atheists get the upper hand in our customs and government regulations. [joyceshookery]
If the phrase "one nation under God" is successfully removed from the pledge of allegiance... the US will be like a communist country who believes that religion is bad... and will be like an atheist country... This should not be the case... and i believe the early fathers who worked for US independence will certainly not approve of this... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
there's an opposite situation in our school...before no prayer at all but now it seems different we pray before and after the class...the worst thing if you have 5 subject in a day so you will pray about 10x a day in school..for me this is not practical, you know why even we pray almost all of my classmates cheat on every examinations...what is the purpose of praying if you do bad things? [julyteen]
Well, that is usually the case in Catholic schools... i am already content with the morning and mid day prayer... so when i was a teacher... i don't do the prayer anymore... aside for that... most students get weary of it... so there is no more sincerity... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Dear Aseretdd, In my country India there are many schools which comes under religion managements, like Hindu, Muslim, Silk, Christian etc. They all do have prayers and moreover the students are from various other religions they too cooperate in prayers and no one have any objection on this. May India is considered as a secular country even though there are many riots and other bad incidence in the name of religions not in the name of prayers in schools and also hope it continues in well going of schools. [SHAMRACK]
Well, your country is like hope of some of the major and oldest religions in the world... so i guess those riots are a product of people wanting their religion gain control... but i think it is nice that these riots are not used against religion being taught and practiced in your country's schools... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I must agree with Galina on this,I was forced to pray evry morning at assembly,but at that time,there were not a lot of differant religionsaround like today. As there are more study periods in schools today,why not set aside one peticular room ans eperate it into areas for each type of religion and allow the kids to pick which one they wish to use to pray in,if they are not religious,they can just study. I used to get detention every day because I refused to be in time for school so as to make sure I missed the assembly. I will say,I was kind of lucky,I was forced into both Chatholic and Protistant religions,and I was allowed to choose,so I chose neither,and after time,did find my own religion,but I was not brainwashed in believing one over another. You are in school to learn things to help you servive in life,not to waist time and taxpayers money to learn what you are taught in church. [mac1946]
I was smacked on my first day at school (and it wasn't a church school, it was non-denominational) as when the headmaster said "let us pray" I didn't bow my head, close my eyes, put my hands together, all that malarky. for a start, I had no idea that was what was expected of me when those words were said, I'm from a Pagan family. and secondly, I am not and never have been a Christian, and even at that age considered it morally objectionable to face physical punishment for not praying to a deity I don't beleive in. I never even pretended. being hit in front of the whole school just made me stubborn. I never even pretended to pray, and why should I. why should a Pagan child be forced to join in Christian prayers in a non-religious school? [Galena]
In Australia, all Government schools ban praying. This is because we believe that religion is completely separate from education. The Government is also separate from religion.All public schools are secular. If people want their child to have religion & praying in their schooling, they can send them to a private school. [jennybianca]
I too, agree that students should be allowed to pray at recess or lunch time. I would object if a student was not allowed to do this. [jennybianca]
Prayer IS allowed in public achools. It's such a misunderstood thing: when I was in High School we had a Christian Share Group that met weekly to pray and hang out together. It was endorsed by the school and we had a teacher advisor who stayed after school to meet with us. Every year we did (and still do) a project called "See You at the Pole" where, on a certain day every year, thousands of students in the U.S. gather around the school flagpole and pray for their school, their friends, teachers and community. I've never heard of anyone trying to stop this. What isn't allowed is ORGANIZED prayer. You can't get on the loud speaker and force everyone to recite a prayer. This I agree with. If, for example, you tried to force me to say the Hail Mary I wouldn't do it because I don't believe in worshipping Mary as if she were a deity, nor would I ever, in a million years, allow someone to force me to repeat "There is no god but ALlah and Muhammed is is prophet" three times every morning. Keep it personal, keep it to yourself and you are absolutely, positively allowed to pray in school. I did, many do and it's not something that's going to be put away by force anytime soon. Some have tried and there always will be some that will, but at the end of the day there's no legal recourse for them as long as it's done in a peaceful, unintrusive manner. [goinliveinfive]
This is good to know... i heard about this "See you at the Pole"... and i thought that this is one of those that were banned... but then... i think in some states... praying is indeed totally banned... because officials say that it might offend those who are agnostics... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Not everyone agrees that it should be banned. I don't. I do feel it was wrong when they used to make children pray at the start of each day. With so many different religions and beliefs, prayer should not be pushed in public schools. Likewise it should not be banned from those that wish to. [sid556]
No one wants to be forced into doing something they are not comfortable with... forcing children to pray only leaves them restless and bitter about doing it... but i agree with you that it shouldn't be banned so that those who want to can still do it at their own pace and free time... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
This may be rude but I guess its another attempt to bring a nail in God's coffin...like its ok to discuss and tell the kids that the first homo sapien found was million years ago when the bible says the first man was born 6000 years ago...I don't know, its ok wit Science related stuff but not Bible related stuff... [gmirage]
I don't think that is rude at all... for most Christians... that banning is something like a form of persecution that is unecessary... i have no problem with classes discussing about the evolution theory... since that is a part of science... thanks for the response... and welcome to mylot... i hope you enjoy your stay here... [aseretdd]
Hi there. I don't see why it should be banned. If it is banned then it's probably cos of the different religions over there. I don't see how they can ban that though. I just don't see how. [pretty_babe]
Well, in some states of the US... praying is totally banned because the act might offend those who are agnostic (based on what i read)... but in some... it is still practiced but students are not forced to pray... i also do not understand why some schools would resort to banning prayer... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I don't understand this either. I mean... yeah we all have our own beliefs... but if EVRYONE is given like 10 minutes of silence a day... they can pray their own prayer/beliefs or just sit there and be quite... show a little respect for those around us. Another thing that is really slacking in our schools now days...respect [KKKBsmom]
Well, respect is really lacking in most schools in almost all cultures nowadays... i also don't understand why... but then... maybe there should be a change in how schools are being run today... like what did we have during our time that made us so well behave... that is no longer in the system?... well, that is still a puzzle for me... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
...because our state has a new religion (and culture) called atheism. It's taught in all the schools, exclusively. Taught as though the theory is a proven theory, when it's aeons away from that. It's very sad. And we can see definite cracks in our society and foundation, many changes because of it. [flowerchilde]
I definitely agree with you... violently arguing about a certain topic like religion will get us nowhere... we have to respect the opinion and beliefs of others because we are all entitled to out own... thanks... [aseretdd]
I am a primary school teacher. In my first year of teaching I taught in a Catholic school and the Catholic religion was very much alive in the school day. Praying was done at the beginning of the school day, before lunch and just before the end of the school day. The Lord's Prayer was often said too. The school prayer book had many more prayers for older children. Then later in my teaching career I taught in a Church of England school and there was less praying was done there. In non religious schools children of all different faiths go there and get on well together. I think prayers for all the children in a school should be available. [maximax8]
I graduated and taught in a Catholic School... and the routine on prayer is very similar to the first school that you taught in... and i do agree that prayer should be available in all school... and the child should have the choice if he or she wants to avail of this... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
I do not see any value in prayer or any specific religion being associated with schools. This is a subject that can be dealt with when the child is old enough to really comprehend the subject. [islander7]
Other people feel the opposite way when religion or prayer is involve... for some... prayers can move mountains... and being able to do it at a specifict time and place is considered as a right in many countries... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]
Hello aseretdd, I really do not understand what kind of world we are living now. I don't even like to talk about religion, racism or anything negative as it is just make me more headache looking for the answer. To be banned doing prayer especially in a country like US, is something real weird. I understand if it happens in your country or mine but in USA, there must be something really really wrong about it. [gr8life]
As far as I know it's not a complete ban, and how are you supposed to do that anyway? You just can't lead the school in prayer or lead the class into prayer. But if the students want to pray then there's no law against that...just can't be done as a group thing. Have a nice day. Pablo [callarse1]
Well, it depends. If you are talking where the whole school prays or where classes say a prayer, that is not permitted. However, I've seen school take a "moment of silence" because someone died (classmate, teacher, etc). It isn't prohibited if someone prays in school...it just can't be lead by students/teachers. If they want to do those types of prayer it has to be done before or after school. It is done because the constitution states that there should be a division between church (for example, religion) and state (for example, the government, school, etc). Yes, it's prohibited in public schools, but not private schools. Public schools get tax money and there have been many rulings in court where there is a division between church and state because the public schools are paid by the people's taxes. While the private school's aren't paid by the people's taxes (usually) and require tuition and are usually affiliated with the church. Therefore, since they don't receive public funds and are supported by the church there is usually prayers lead in school and they learn about religion, too. Have a wonderful day. Pablo [callarse1]
Some public schools actually ban even private prayer... that is what i heard... and even the talk about God or anything that suggest religion is not being tolerated... it may not be in every public school... but some are doing it just the same... thanks for the response... [aseretdd]