Prayer in School

Paper Summary:

The writer explains that the issue of school prayer is not one of religious freedom, as it is already legal for children to pray in school, either individually or in groups. The paper explains that to forbid this prayer would violate both freedom of speech and religion. The paper explains that, despite this fact, there are factions that wish to instate specific, or mandated prayer in public schools. The paper explores whether it is necessary to modify the constitution to secure a very basic right that is already protected. In conclusion, the writer expresses the opinion that no constitutional amendment is necessary to protect the right of children to pray in school. The writer feels that people of faith should consider that the personal issue of prayer, when manipulated by government, can lead to dangerous consequences, including exclusion, ostracization and even violence. The writer states the belief that the right of teaching children the basic truths of each child's chosen religion should be reserved for the parents and that a constitutional amendment would turn this right over to the government.

Table of Contents:
To Restore State-Written Prayers
Allow Group Prayers in the Public Schools
Allow for Voluntary Prayer
Works Cited

From the Paper:

"The fate of a school prayer-religious liberties amendment has always rested in the hands of the Congress. And yes, there are those who will always campaign hard against this issue. There will be warnings that the argument for school prayer is limited to the extreme religious right and that to be associated with the issue would hurt those looking for re-election or that school prayer is too politically divisive and should be left alone. Even more strongly, there will be those that will argue that the issue is simply un-American since it would undermine the constitutional guarantee of separation of church and state. The rhetoric will always flow hard and freely on this issue."

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