Archive for February, 2009

Freedom of Expression and Religion

{ February 23, 2009 @ 11:27 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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According to J. Stevens in an essay published by Cornell University Law School, in March to June of 2000, the Supreme court held a case called Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe concerning prayer at football events and graduation ceremonies.  The final decision said that prayer on a “public address system” given by a student that represents the student body is unconstitutional(J.Stevens). How is that in any way unconstitutional? Schools should not only allow prayer, but they should also practice it as a whole community of students. Prayer in public does not interfere with the rights of the public if it is recited over an intercom system; it is more of an expression of a love of God and a dependence on Him. Students aren’t forced to get on the loud speaker and pray, they volunteer, so how is that wrong? No one is forced to pray with them; they could just sit quietly in silence until the prayer is over. I personally have felt the need to talk to Christian friends and teachers who can help me with problems I have inside of and out of school. I can trust them to help me and pray with  me about things that I can’t control. I have two friends on the school faculty who I can always go to that help me with problems and situations, and I think that is perfectly fine and shouldn’t be scoffed at by people who think that discussing religion is unconstitutional. I know that there are some controversies with prayer, such as which religion should be the main one, but that problem could be solved by asking the students to vote and see which religion they follow. Prayer doesn’t take away freedom of religion at all, but simply adds to the freedom of expression.

Prayer In Public Schools

{ February 19, 2009 @ 8:50 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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In 1962, a Supreme Court case ruled that official prayer is not allowed in public schools (ADL, 2009).  I believe that prayer should be allowed in public schools, but not forced upon the students by school officials. The first ammendment states that citizens have the right to choose their own religion, so it’s only fair that that right is carried over to students in government funded schools.  Ninety percent of all children in the United States attend public schools, and all of them are different in their religious outlooks. Also, teachers all have different opinions about relgions, which most likely differ from their students and fellow faculty members. Whenever the Supreme Court said that schools can not support a specific relgion or have offical school-led prayer, they did not ever say that students could not pray to themselves or with eachother as long as it’s not during learning time (Americans United). So, if the Supreme Court rules that students can pray in schools, why is this an issue? They clearly state that school officials can’t endorse a specific religion and that prayer should not be forced on a student unwilling to participate, but they never say students cannot pray. I understand that many students who strongly believe in their religion think that schools should be required to pray, and as a Christian I wish that we could do that openly.  However, many students do not follow a relgion or have a relgion that is in the minority, and should not have to endure prayers to beings other than the one they believe in. Prayer is definately important and should not be taken lightly.  I fully support all students to pray as often as they want, but I do take into account that some students don’t pray, and I don’t think that they should have to sit through morning prayers or constantly be bombarded with relgion while they are at a public school, a place they are required to be for seven hours.

Should Prayer Be Allowed In Public Schools?

{ February 7, 2009 @ 5:46 pm } · { Uncategorized }
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Claim: Prayer should be allowed in public schools, but should not be forced.

Data: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Warrant: Because the Constitution guarantees that no religion shall be forced onto citizens, students should not be forced to participate in other religions. Sure, students have a freedom of speech so that they can pray in school with one another, but they cannot force others into their beliefs.

Backing/Qualifier: As a Christian, I would want nothing more than for teachers and school officials to openly pray with their students. However, I understand that some students would feel uncomfortable with prayer out in the open so their rights given by the first ammendment should be respected. I know a few students who do not participate in any religious activities and would feel very awkward during a morning prayer in a class room.

Reservation: I understand that sometimes prayer is acceptable in schools, and even necessary, such as in a case where a religious club plans an activity or a student is severly hurt. If the students agree to pray together then that’s fine, but all students should be asked permission.