Verified Document

Religion Should There Be Prayer Reaction Paper

The U.S. Supreme Court has supported school cooperation in regards to the establishment of religion. They have done this because they respect the religious nature of people and feel that people should be able to accommodate their spiritual needs (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)? On the other side of the debate, those who are against putting prayer back into the public schools often argue that school prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment because it says that the government shall not make laws in regards to the establishment of religion. Due to the fact that public schools are financed by the government, prayer that is led by school officials or included in any school program can be seen as government-established religion. Proponents to school prayer feel that school prayer ignores the division of church and state. Traditionally public schools are thought to be for education purposes only, not religious commemoration. Proponents argue that there are currently times in which prayer in school is permissible. This would be when students pray on a voluntary basis as long as it is not disruptive in any way (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)?

There are many who believe that school prayer may lead to prejudice. Those against public prayer believe that having prayer would only emphasize any religious differences that exist between the children. This group also things that students who refrain from school prayer will not be accepted by their peers. School prayer is thought to be innately coercive....

It is thought that there is no way that it can be put into practice in a way that is completely voluntary. The public school system was created for all students and supported by taxpayers, so many believe that it should remain neutral on religious issues because students and taxpayers are likely not to see eye-to-eye (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)?
Even though prayer in school continues to be an issue, prayer in schools continues to go on. If a student wants to pray in school, they must do it so that it is silent (When did the prayer in school debate begin, 2010)? The debate over this issue has been going on for a long time. Personally, I believe that prayer should be allowed in school. I believe that the good it would do far outweighs any harm that could possibly be done. Prayer is a choice and everyone's right to choose should be respected. Everyone should be allowed to participate or not depending on their own personal beliefs. I do not think that it is something that should be mandated, but definitely a choice for each individual to make.

Works Cited

"Prayer in Public School - Overview of Governing Constitutional Principles." 2003. Viewed 23

June, 2010. < http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/prayer-in-public-school.htm>

"What are the pros and cons of prayer in school?" n.d. Viewed 23 June, 2010, <

http://www.allabouthistory.org/pros-and-cons-of-prayer-in-school-faq.htm >.

"When did the prayer in school debate begin? 2010. Viewed 23 June, 2010,

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

"Prayer in Public School - Overview of Governing Constitutional Principles." 2003. Viewed 23

June, 2010. < http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/prayer-in-public-school.htm>

"What are the pros and cons of prayer in school?" n.d. Viewed 23 June, 2010, <

http://www.allabouthistory.org/pros-and-cons-of-prayer-in-school-faq.htm >.
<http://www.allabouthistory.org/prayer-in-school-debate-faq.htm
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

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 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

Religion My Fit in Ministry
Words: 1595 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

This will require networking and communication with other Church leaders who can help me to shepherd others too. Identifying communities and individuals in need is another step towards effective ministry. When I have identified who needs assistance, I can start praying immediately. God works in mysterious ways, enabling a diverse group of individuals to come together and find Christ. Continuing on the same spiritual path that I have enjoyed for

Religion Christianity and Islam: Religions
Words: 1093 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Both faiths ascribe to a heaven and a hell, belief in angels and the devil. Moreover, Islam and Christianity teach against crimes against humanity to include violence, gambling, adultery, lying, theft and murder. Both teach that children are to respect their parents and husbands and wives are to be respected. Both Islam and Christianity teach against same sex marriage, homosexuality, fornication, and vulgarism. Both teach of modesty in presentation

Religion Vocabulary, Christianity: Citing Your Sources: &Bull;
Words: 968 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Religion Vocabulary, Christianity: citing your sources: • Gospel -- pertains to one of the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), or refers more generally to the life and teachings of Jesus (Babylon) • parable -- a "symbolic story" that teaches a moral or religious lesson (Babylon) • baptism -- initiation into Christianity via ritual submergence in water (Babylon) • trinity -- group of three; in Christianity, referring particularly to

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

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