Allowing prayer in public schools remains a compelling and often heated issue for many Americans. Is a student-led Lord's Prayer acceptable before the big game on Friday night? What about a two-minute "moment of silence" during home room? Of course, this isn't simply a matter of prayer itself but a representation of a much larger, more encompassing topic: Where does the line exist between religious freedom and religious imposition?
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Religious Freedom Suffers
- From Interfaith Alliance
By Interfaith Alliance - Protecting Faith and Freedom
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It's obvious
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. In my own experiences with life in general I couldn't have made it without Him.
- kim42
October 2, 2008 3:00AM
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no suffering
Everyone DOES have their own beliefs, but I don't think by teachers sharing religion that it really causes religious freedom to suffer.
- kcesarski
January 25, 2009 9:41PM
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Is this the right argument?
Sounds to me like Interfaith Alliance is arguing for something much different than what the question presented is. I don't agree with a teacher imposing their own personal religious beliefs onto the students in a public setting, though if it was done with the clear explanation that it is their personal experiences and not representative of the school then I wouldn't be sending the cops in anytime soon. If a "No" response to this question implies a ban of prayer by anybody, student or staff, in the school then that is nothing but unconstitutional. This assumes that the praying individual is not forcing others to pray along.
- PhilyG
January 30, 2009 12:55AM
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What was the question, again?
Uhhhhh........What was the question?
It seems to me that the question was whether or not prayer should be allowed in public schools. Not whether or not one religion beats all. Or are these two arguing under the wrong heading? Speaking of which, the small print suggests a totally different question than the main heading. Which do we debate: fine lines or overall rules?
My point is as follows: Yes, the IA makes a good point that nondisruptive religion is fine. And darn well should be allowed. People have the right to express their opinion, so long as it isn't imposed on others. But allowing prayer in school DOES NOT MEAN (believe it or not) that any specific religion MUST be observed. All it means is that people can pray if they so desire. And yes, atheists, this means you don't have to pray, either. This also means no mandated prayer. That wouldn't be allowing prayer in school, that's requiring one specific religion in school.
Having said that, I now turn to the argument at hand. One, the arguer states that they intend to restrict only the staff. From doing what? Making an allowance for prayer? So kids praying without official permission is good, but it's bad if it is permitted by the government? The argument seems to be nitpicking about this idea of who gives the permission. If the result is meant to be the same, why the argument? There also seems to be an underlying assumption that the allowance of prayer in school requires a specific prayer by all. From what I understand of the question prompt, that makes this a strawman argument.
Additionally, IA has no real argument. They qualify their position and support of student prayer. But then they claim that they dispute a "completely different issue." First, if you admit that, put it under the right topic. Second, they state that government-prescribed prayer restricts rights. Yeah, we know...but what's the point? Of course a law imposing one sole religion violates rights of students. We all know that. Can you say anything else other than "freedom" over and over again? And I repeat, are we debating authoritarian government or prayer in school? I don't think this is a question between no religion and Catholicism. I think it's about, I don't know, ALLOWING PRAYER IN SCHOOL? Note the key word, allowing! Not mandating, not forcing, ALLOWING!
- Invalid Screen Name
February 7, 2009 2:08PM
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not really..
By students praying in school, religious freedom is being strengthened, not hurt. The problem is that some students force others to participate in prayer, which does hinder freedoms granted by the constitution. Also, if prayer is played over an intercom system or recited by a homeroom teacher, then some student's rights would come to an end. However, prayer should be allowed in schools just like in the rest of the country.
- riley February 10, 2009 1:21PM
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.
Well, of course, it'd be near perfect if students could pray in school in such a way that is satisfying to them and not disruptive to others. I'm not a religious person, but seeing a kid in quiet prayer over lunch wouldn't bother me, a Muslim student bowing in prayer on the floor in the middle of class wouldn't bother me either. I can't help but feel these would be deemed serious distractions to many. I also don't feel the tolerance level in most schools is high enough for prayer to be more of a benefit to students than a set-back.
- Cacophony
February 10, 2009 7:04PM
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Prayer shouldn't Affect Religious Freedom
By allowing prayer in school , in no way should religious freedom suffer. It's a personal choice. And if it becomes a problem, then it may be hindering religious freedom. But otherwise, it should not be a disturbance, but a personal private prayer. It should not make religious freedom suffer.
- Skippy Johnson
February 25, 2009 4:17PM
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A moment of Silence
Why was the moment of silence idea thrown out? Anyone? Was it disruptive or something?
- ecuadmail
May 25, 2009 12:49PM
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Way to far with being politically correct
This is going way to far with being politically correct. When it comes to my religion , in public or on my own I expect to have freedom of rights. although I am only in Middle school I want my voice to be heard, I want not only christianity allowed but also any other religion. Isn't that why our forefathers came to america, religious freedom from the anglican church ?
- cheynsc
November 13, 2009 8:02PM
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