Prayer in Public Schools |
Prayer in schools does not seem like the kind of subject that would cause a Supreme Court case. It seems like a harmless issue. You would think that because this country allows its citizens to choose their own religion or whether they even want to practice any religion at all, that there would not be so much controversy and debate over such a small subject matter. Because this is an issue that not only involves students, but faculty and even parents as well it is not that easy to just say, “Take prayer out of schools then everyone is satisfied.” By doing that some may feel that the importance of religion is being diminished. One would think that the next solution would be to allow prayer in schools, out by doing that others feel that their right of freedom of religion is being taken away.
Since the Supreme Court ruled that reading mandatory Bible scriptures in schools was considered unconstitutional there have been speculations as to whether or not that was the right decision. Many people argue that if you force students to pray in schools then you are taking away their religious freedom. They also feel that it is not up to the schools to decide what religion the students practice, and that religion should be kept outside of schools. It also does not give some students the chance to exercise, what people in some countries would consider a privilege.
There are others that feel if we had prayer in schools than it would prevent issues such as teen- pregnancy, drug- use, and teen suicide. They also feel that prohibiting prayer in schools or at least discussion than that, too, is a violation of the right to practice your religion freely. If you tell students that they cannot pray or discuss religion in their classes than you take away their right express their religious freedoms.
Over the years there have been many questions about when it is appropriate to have prayer in schools. Students are allowed to express their religious beliefs individually and in a peaceful manner. They can wear clothing or jewelry that conveys a religious message. They are allowed to discuss religion with fellow students. Teachers can teach their students about religion, but they cannot try to steer their students towards following a specific religion.
Many people feel so strongly about this subject that they have put out petitions with the intention to rid schools of prayer. They feel that if you allow organized prayer in schools then that gives the school officials the right to dictate how students pray. There is the concern about students that do not practice that religion. Although, these feelings are common, not everyone shares them. Michael Chandler, an educator in Alabama, lives in fear, because he went to the American Civil Liberties Union to get rid of organized prayer in Alabama’s public schools. Many of the people in the town where he lives feel that prayer in schools should be as important as math and science.