Prayer in Public School

[Cos108]

What are your opinions on prayer being excluded in public schools?

[rootzdawta]

Well . . . I don't think prayer belongs in public school for the simple fact that all kinds of children attend public schools from different faiths and different backgrounds. Some folks are atheists and others just don't believe in prayer and still others don't believe in certain types of prayers. It's a complex issue, prayer is, that touches on some of the most intimate parts of people's lives/existence. I think public schools should focus on education and not prayer/religion. Keep what is secular secular and what is religious religious. I think if it's really important to me as a parent that my child pray at school, I should send him to a school that teaches/represents what/who I believe my child should be praying to. Either that or teach him at home. Just my $.02.

[LavenderMae]

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[simple living mama]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

Well . . . I don't think prayer belongs in public school for the simple fact that all kinds of children attend public schools from different faiths and different backgrounds. Some folks are atheists and others just don't believe in prayer and still others don't believe in certain types of prayers. It's a complex issue, prayer is, that touches on some of the most intimate parts of people's lives/existence. I think public schools should focus on education and not prayer/religion. Keep what is secular secular and what is religious religious. I think if it's really important to me as a parent that my child pray at school, I should send him to a school that teaches/represents what/who I believe my child should be praying to. Either that or teach him at home. Just my $.02.

I agree. I couldn't think of anyway it could work smoothly in school situation. There's too many people with agenda's who would screw it all up. I think a healthy religious family would teach their kid that if you want to pray, there's no stopping you. Just pray. You don't have to be public about it to make a point.

[Marsupialmom]

Teachers/staff should not lead the prayers. There shouldn't be over the loud speaker prayer unless they are going to let every religion do it, but I don't see that happening................


BUT


If a child prays on there own, or brings there own religious text, for their own use he shouldn't be denied it.

Some staff over step their bounds both ways and they are both wrong. A child shouldn't be denied their right to pray. A child shouldn't be denied the right to not pray.

[shaywyn]

Originally Posted by Cos108

What are your opinions on prayer being excluded in public schools?

Please clarify. Your question is somewhat clear, but your motive may seem foggy to an internet community, considering this is your first post here at MDC. I would not feel comfortable answering this question without further clarification. Not being mean, really, truly. Expand and expound. Thank you.

[alegna]

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[iamama]

My opionion on prayer being excluded is that it is how public school was intended. There used to be a little thingy about division of church and state.

[blbcHelvsme]

As long as it is child led it should be aloud, and by law it is. Oh and of course that it doesn't cause class disruption. Thus if a group of kids want to pray over lunch or during quiet time or recess they should be able to pray.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Cos108

What are your opinions on prayer being excluded in public schools?

I don't think of the lack of prayers in public schools as synonymous with excluding them. You don't generally see group prayers that include everyone in department stores, in public parks, on busses, in hotel lobbies, in public administration buildings, and a bizillion other places - but we don't think of prayer as being "excluded" in those places. I certainly don't think they should be banned by children praying silently in class, or by those who want to get together and pray out on the playground or in a classroom not being used during lunch break, but to make a whole classroom full of children participate in something those interested can easily do in more appropriate places would seem presumptuous and inappropriate. - Lillian

[umbrella]

Originally Posted by Cos108

What are your opinions on prayer being excluded in public schools?

Prayer is not excluded in public schools. I attended a public school, and I prayed every day. I prayed obviously every day, before every every meal, regardless of my location. It is perfectly legal to pray in a public school.

However, occassionally, a teacher would lead a prayer before an event. That always made me very uncomfortable, as I felt it was entirely inappropriate for a person in a position of authority, to lead a group of students in prayer like that. I would sit out, in protest. They were typically christian prayers, and while my own private prayers were also christian, not all of my classmates were christian. I thought it was very rude, and inappropirate to put my jewish, and muslim, and atheist friends in that uncomfortable position.

I was uncomfortable, knowing there should be a separation of church and state, and here we were, being pressured by a person with authority over us, to conform to THEIR religious practices.

What an abuse of power.

[chfriend]

cos108: Welcome to Mothering! I'd love to hear your homeschooling story.

[frogguruami]

Since we don't attend public school we don't really care! I suppose if I had to give an opinion it would be this. PS already wastes enough time of the children's day on non-educational stuff. (I do far more with my 6 year old in 1 hour than he did in PS in 6) My child would recieve no educational benefit from prayer so it would be a waste of time. (Now if they wanted to institute meditation time... )

AM

[laralou]

Originally Posted by amseiler

Since we don't attend public school we don't really care!

Right.

Public school issues don't belong in this forum. I will move you to Learning at School, where you will be more on topic.

[LovemyBoo]

Prayer is allowed in public schools. Students may pray privately whenever they wish provided it doesn't disrupt the class.

If you meant the kind of prayer sanctioned by the school, I'm glad it's not allowed. Spirituality is a private matter and not the business of a public school.

[lauren]

Welcome Cos108; hope you are finding your way around MDC. If you need any help locating things, let us know.

You have found your thread on the Learning at School forum where we welcome good honest conversation.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I am all for prayer in schools as long as it is to His Noodliness. Pastafarianism has rightful place in all schools that receive pirate dollars.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by flyingspaghettimama

I am all for prayer in schools as long as it is to His Noodliness. Pastafarianism has rightful place in all schools that receive pirate dollars.

I was hoping you would say something like that

Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Men.

[applejuice]

My DH, a nice Jewish boy, said prayers in public school throughout his public school career.

And I, as a person old enough to remember when there was prayer in public schools, as a former student of both public and private schools, a former parent of students in public and private schools, and a teacher in both public and private schools, I would like to say that NO ONE is hurt by prayer in school.

Do not tell me that "How would I know?" I know. Look up the prayer that was used in New York City Schools that was the basis for the lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Who was hurt by that? Honestly.

Now that we are all free of that terrible prayer in public schools, today, no one can even go to public school without being emotionally, physically, and mentally beaten up; the lockers are gone; all schools are now designed more like a prison than an institution of learning since the students and teachers need to be constantly monitored with cameras and metal detectors.

Give me the school where the day begins with a simple prayer to a higher power and the pledge of allegiance instead of a pat-down, frisking and wanding for weapons.

[applejuice]

Cos108, since this is your first post, tell us your ideas. It is odd that you would come here first, instead of other forums here and ask such a volatile question.