Prayer in schools

BY: LAURA GARZACI 583

10/13 /2010

Prayer in Schools

“One nation under God”

The Problem

Many people honestly believe that prayer is not allowed in public schools. This is wrong. Unfortunately, this mistaken notion sometimes extends to teachers, principals and school boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRVJE_wZ18

Students opportunity to pray:

“Prayer is allowed and in fact is a protected form of free speech throughout the public school system.”

Students may pray silently during a moment of silence

“Students can pray in school busses, at the flag-pole, in student religious clubs, in the hallways, cafeteria, etc.”

Conflict over school prayer

Some believe that to start the school day with a prayer will create an aura of solemnity and order among the students.

Others believe that prayer has magical powers.

Others feel that if the students are forced to recite a Christian prayer each day, they will come to realize that they live in a Christian country where the government and its institutions support Christianity.

Court Rulings, Laws and Events

1948- McCollum vs. Board of Education

1954- Tudor vs. Board of Education

1960 Madalyn Murray O’Hair vs. Baltimore ISD

1962- Engel vs. Vitale

1963 - Abington Township School vs. Schempp; Murray vs. Curlett

2001- Public School rentals

Religious Rights

Banning of Religious

clothing and symbols.

Teachers, coaches, ect

leading a group prayer.

Advance nor inhibit

religion.

Public prayer at

school games.

Students to recite

prayers in class.

The Law

Prohibits

The Constitution allows…

….

Benediction and prayers at graduation ceremonies

Teaching religion

Student religious clubs

Moment of silence

and…

Prayer outside of school building

School religious speech Teacher display of religion

http://www.examiner.com/news-in-san-diego/judge-allows-teacher-s-classroom-display-involving-religion

Research Purpose

The goal of this research it to understand what the place of prayer is in public schools.

Significant Factors to Consider about School Prayer

Prayer is not forbidden in public schools.

There is a small minority of parents who follow other than Christian religion and find praying deeply offensive.

Praying is a choice, not a requirement.

References:

Prayer in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/prayer-in-school.htm

Robinson B.A. (2003). Religion in Public Schools. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pra9.htm

Robinson B.A. (2007). The Federal Equal Access Act. Retrieved from http://www.religioustoleran.org