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“The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right.” (James Madison). Prayer in school has been an issue since as far back as the 1800s. With America being the melting pot that it is, I think that there should be a way to accommodate the needs of every religion and belief. What was once seen as freedom of religion is beginning to be seen as freedom from religion.
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“The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right.” (James Madison). Prayer in school has been an issue since as far back as the 1800s. With America being the melting pot that it is, I think that there should be a way to accommodate the needs of every religion and belief. What was once seen as freedom of religion is beginning to be seen as freedom from religion. 2
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In the first article of the constitution, the Establishment Clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The first amendment also prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of his or her religion. Merriam Webster dictionary defines prayer as being an address to God or to a god in word or thought, or an earnest request or wish. To ban prayer completely from school would ban the religious freedom of students who would like to pray out loud, or even silently. A voluntary prayer from a student does not involve the government establishing a religion.
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In the first article of the constitution, the Establishment Clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The first amendment also prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of his or her religion. Merriam Webster dictionary defines prayer as being an address to God or to a god in word or thought, or an earnest request or wish. To ban prayer completely from school would ban the religious freedom of students who would like to pray out loud, or even silently. A voluntary prayer from a student does not involve the government establishing a religion. 3
Gary Bergel, a writer for the Forerunner Newspaper, states that since school prayer was forbidden in June of 1962 with the land mark case Engel v. Vitale, America has experienced a radical decline in youth, family, education, and national life. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that the practice of prayer in public schools violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Bergel believes that taking prayer out of school does worse than violate the third commandment, which states “thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vein.” It takes His name out of rightful place, from public use, and even from the lips of children. Some individuals would like their children’s schools to reinforce the values taught at home; when others see that school is strictly a place for education. A survey was conducted on seventy-two countries on their school prayer policies; of the seventy-two only eleven countries (15.7%) have state-sanctioned school prayer periods in their schools in which children recite a single prayer together.
Gary Bergel, a writer for the Forerunner Newspaper, states that since school prayer was forbidden in June of 1962 with the land mark case Engel v. Vitale, America has experienced a radical decline in youth, family, education, and national life. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that the practice of prayer in public schools violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Bergel believes that taking prayer out of school does worse than violate the third commandment, which states “thou shall not take the Lord’s name in vein.” It takes His name out of rightful place, from public use, and even from the lips of children. Some individuals would like their children’s schools to reinforce the values taught at home; when others see that school is strictly a place for education. A survey was conducted on seventy-two countries on their school prayer policies; of the seventy-two only eleven countries (15.7%) have state-sanctioned school prayer periods in their schools in which children recite a single prayer together.4
Those against prayer in school protest that it violates the Establishment Clause. Public schools are government funded, so a prayer led by a school official or prayer that is integrated into the school day is establishing a religion. Others worry that it would make some feel uncomfortable, and might highlight religious differences they could have been unaware of. An article In the Washington Post states that allowing the moment of silence is a back door introduction to praying in school.
Those against prayer in school protest that it violates the Establishment Clause. Public schools are government funded, so a prayer led by a school official or prayer that is integrated into the school day is establishing a religion. Others worry that it would make some feel uncomfortable, and might highlight religious differences they could have been unaware of. An article In the Washington Post states that allowing the moment of silence is a back door introduction to praying in school.5
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“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. “(Jonathan Swift). Since no formal school can acknowledge the belief of every religion, I think that the moment of silence is the best solution. During this time students can silently think to themselves. Whether it is a prayer or just thoughts of the day, this time should be allowed. In my opinion, a moment of silence is no more religious than putting the American flag at half-mast or saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
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“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another. “(Jonathan Swift). Since no formal school can acknowledge the belief of every religion, I think that the moment of silence is the best solution. During this time students can silently think to themselves. Whether it is a prayer or just thoughts of the day, this time should be allowed. In my opinion, a moment of silence is no more religious than putting the American flag at half-mast or saying the Pledge of Allegiance. 6
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Since there are some students that are truly passionate about their religion, I think the opportunity to start clubs that will educate students on their religion would be great. They would have the opportunity to learn the culture and practice of their religion, while not interfering with any other beliefs. There should be no conflict with this idea, because no one is putting any pressure or saying anything about another religion. Every student that is in the group should believe the same basic ideals of his or her religion. This can be seen in today’s public schools, as there are clubs and other organizations that focus on certain religions. For example, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a club at the high school I attended. This club is optional, so if someone chooses to join, then they are choosing to follow Christian ideas and join in with prayer or other practices of the Christian religion. I think that precautions like these can be made and we must take as many as them possible to keep religion in our lives, and not from them.
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Since there are some students that are truly passionate about their religion, I think the opportunity to start clubs that will educate students on their religion would be great. They would have the opportunity to learn the culture and practice of their religion, while not interfering with any other beliefs. There should be no conflict with this idea, because no one is putting any pressure or saying anything about another religion. Every student that is in the group should believe the same basic ideals of his or her religion. This can be seen in today’s public schools, as there are clubs and other organizations that focus on certain religions. For example, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a club at the high school I attended. This club is optional, so if someone chooses to join, then they are choosing to follow Christian ideas and join in with prayer or other practices of the Christian religion. I think that precautions like these can be made and we must take as many as them possible to keep religion in our lives, and not from them.
This is a good, and finely developed, point distinguishing the government’s prohibition against establishing a religion from the idea that the government should not interfere with a person’s practice of his or her religion. On the news tonight a Governor was criticized for changing the name of their Christmas tree to a holiday tree. He quickly retracted that statement after negative feedback. Where should the line be drawn? How do we know when we’re fighting for a valuable issue and just stiring the waters?
You make some very strong points here. What a great, and sad, quote!
Thanks for getting us started! This is a really great essay.
I think the quote is good also. I also like the last sentence of paragraph 5.
Im glad to see that you spoke about the pledge. i don say the pledge because i don agree with it. and it makes me wonder why they make the whole school stand and say it but we cant pray out loud. they both speaks about god so why they take prayer out in leave the pledge be!!!!!! holla if u hear me
I like your quote. And how you mentioned that America is the melting pot, you are right that there should be an accommodation of needs in every religion and belief. Overall your whole introduction is interesting and true. I’m gonna read more!
I liked your conclusion. You also had really good solutions to the problem.
i went to a catholic school and i know what a prayer is in school. i believe it is the persons choice if they want to pray in school or not. im catholic and of coarse i choose to pray at school, but my friend is not and nobody has the right to violate her right.
Overlooking the facts & statistics I truly believe you are right. Adding the facts & what not it makes it more believable to someone who isn’t a christian. This essay hit me in a personal way. When I was in 9th grade I had a science teacher who wrote me up because my beliefs didn’t match his. Although, he was the one who decided to bring them up. I think many people in this world are very inconsiderate. Like my teacher who had me in tears because he believes something different. I know this story isn’t about prayer in school, but it goes to show how uncomfortable the public can make us. We have freedom of speech, but yet we get critized for it.
I’m lovin’ the intro. I think your right though. Every religion should have the right to pray in school. But honestly, if you pray in school right now, can they stop you? What can they do about it if you just sit down and pray? I like your topic a lot though. Good choice.
I love the opening quote and i like how you went way back to James Madison himself. You are right prayer in school now is a big problem. Just awhile ago they jail a man for praying at a function that was at a school and to me that was ridiculous.
I agree about the moment of silence is a simple solution for students to pray or not. This way the child can do as they please and not be interfered with. Prayer is very important to me and even something like a moment of silence is a great way to take time out of the day to pray.
I agree strong with alot that you are stating in this paragragh! I believe the moment of silence in school is very important!
I really like the way you started off your paper with the quote, it makes the reader interested. You make a lot of good points in this paper. Great Job.
I liked the way you stayed on the topic the whole time this is great