Verified Document

Prayer In School Is A Term Paper

To do so will invite the eventual backward motion and we will find ourselves returned to the times that minorities were mistreated for being different, only this time it will be based in religious differences. This was one of the things meant to be avoided by the constitution mandate of separating church and state. If we uncover the initial understanding of the separation of church and state, we will discover that it implies a protection from discrimination by insisting that the non-religious state, which by law treats everyone equally, must be maintained as the powers of the public school system (Rice, 1997).

The separation of church and state has become the crux of school prayer controversy across the country, but it's really a simple concept. We are not supposed to mesh church and state, period. The founding fathers that penned the constitution, did not allow for exceptions, nor did they suggest that we revisit the issue at any time. The simple matter of separation was a mandate, and done for the protection of the rights to freedom of expression for all who live here. The schools are not only governed by the state, the buildings themselves are in fact owned by the state. The teachers are government employees as are the many administrators and workers that take part in providing millions of students with educations.

During many government meetings, we witness the use of prayer. Some may say that uttering prayers in government meetings is not obeying the separation of church and state. This may hold true in many areas of life, however, there is a fundamental difference between that and allowing prayer in school. Nobody is forced by law to attend a public or government meeting. We do force students between certain ages to attend school.

Many schools are contemplating a moment of silence, advocates of school prayer point to this as a solution for the varied faiths as well...

This would be a fair proposal if we could guarantee it would never expand to led prayers in the classrooms and offices. In addition it would work if we could insure that no student ever tried to sway a friend to pray with him and with his faith.
In addition to the above argument; opponents argue that prayer in school will not be forced on any student. If this were going to be the case for eternity, then they would have a valid point-of-view and a right to request the events. However, we cannot promise that in every school, in every town, in every state, this will be followed, and the first time it is broken regardless of how quietly the church and state separation have been muddied.

For us to muddy the line between churches and state when it comes to the captured audiences of our nations youth we have damaged the very fabric of this nations foundation. There are churches and private religiously-based schools that welcome their followers. Again, nobody is forced by law to attend therefore it is a free act of will. Attending school is not a free act it is a mandated act. That mandate is supervised by the state. To begin prayers in public schools would be similar to what the Jews went through in the camps during the Holocaust. We would be forcing students to submit to things they may not even believe in, and refusal in the way of not attending school would result in harsh punishments. It is best to follow the constitution to the letter, and maintain its criteria. Leave the religious training to the churches and religious leaders and keep the education of our nations youth strictly non-religious.

References

Rice, Patricia (1997, June). SOUTHERN BAPTISTS EXPECTED to BACK PRAYER AMENDMENT., St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pp 08A.

Shapiro, Deborah R.(1995, May). Shall we pray? Jews, Christians debate prayer in schools., Jewish Advocate, pp PG.

Sources used in this document:
References

Rice, Patricia (1997, June). SOUTHERN BAPTISTS EXPECTED to BACK PRAYER AMENDMENT., St. Louis Post-Dispatch, pp 08A.

Shapiro, Deborah R.(1995, May). Shall we pray? Jews, Christians debate prayer in schools., Jewish Advocate, pp PG.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Prayer in Public Schools
Words: 1005 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Prayer in Public Schools The issue of prayer in public schools has been the subject of intense debate. That is because religious people would like for their children to be able to follow their religious teachings by praying in school but people who are not religious would prefer that religion was kept out of the public schools altogether. Prayer in public schools is also sometimes a problem for people who are

School for Wives Is a Famous Comedy
Words: 1320 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

School for Wives is a famous comedy theatrical play of seventeenth century written in French with the name "L'ecole des femmes" by famous French play writer Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Jean is known by his stage name Moliere and he is considered amongst one of the biggest comedy play writers of West. Moliere was born in a rich and prosperous family of Paris in January 1622 and after a short struggle, eventually

Prayer at Public School Events
Words: 856 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Prayer at Public School Events During the last few years there has been passionate debates concerning prayer in public schools and at public school events. Advocates believe that it is not only a moral issue but prohibition of prayer in public schools denies their right of freedom of religion, while opponents claim it is a violation of separation of state and church. In fact, over recent decades, one of the most litigious

Prayer in School There Was a Time
Words: 1193 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Prayer in School There was a time in America, where although the constitution guarantees a separation of church and state, many of the government institutions still encouraged or at least included components which were based on religious practices. In the past, the children of American public schools would enter the classroom, stand at attention for the pledge, and then join in with the class in prayer. In the locker room, the

Prayer Diary Entry One Remembered
Words: 5975 Length: 17 Document Type: Term Paper

Entry Three met some non-Christians today and prayed for them because I believe that all persons can and should know the power of God's love. Praying for the salvation of others is important because it may lead those people to Jesus. If Jesus opens a door and they do not enter, then I still completed the work of God by keeping them in my prayers. Because I know not to

Prayers in Public Schools Should Be Allowed
Words: 1293 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Prayer in public schools has been a subject of controversy ever since the Supreme Court ruled in 1962 that "any kind of prayer, composed by public school districts, even non-denominational, is unconstitutional government sponsorship of religion" (U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Separation of Church and State web site). The next year the Court found that "Bible reading over the school intercom was unconstitutional" because it forced a child "to participate

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now