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School Prayer and the Constitution, 2008.
This paper examines the state board of education's "Moral and Spiritual Training" curriculum.
1,014 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 35.95
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Abstract
The paper analyzes the "Moral and Spiritual Training" school program proscribed by the state board of education, to determine whether it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The paper examines three prior decisions by the Supreme Court and contrasts these decisions to the present facts.
From the Paper
"Rarely is there a clearer statement of intent and direction than in the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . ." (Constitution, 1999, First Amendment). The first clause of the First Amendment, also known as the "establishment clause," is often interpreted as prohibiting the federal government from setting up a church, passing laws that aid one or all religions, or forcing acceptance or disbelief in a religion (Black, 1979, p. 490)."
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School Prayer, 2001.
This paper is an argument about why school prayer goes against the separation between church and state in the United States.
1,300 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 3 sources, APA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper presents a discussion about school prayer. The author of this paper believes that prayer in school is a direct violation of the constitutional mandate that church and state remain separated, and discusses the intent of the founding fathers when implementing such a separation.
From the Paper
"For many years now, the issue of school prayer has made the forefront to the news. We hear that students defy direct orders from school officials and stand to recite the Lord's Prayer at graduation. We hear about principals being hauled into court by the ACLU for allowing students to pray on campus. It is a volatile issue that remains close to the heart on both sides of the argument. The bottom line, however, is that America proudly waves its diversity banner to the rest of the world. We brag about the fact that we welcome and encourage diversity and we are founded on the premise that freedom of religion should be a right of every person."
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School Prayer, 2007.
An examination of the debate concerning prayer in US public schools.
951 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper presents a detailed examination of the controversy surrounding school prayers in public schools in the United States. The paper examines wording in the Constitution to determine whether school prayers should be allowed. The writer presents the argument that school prayer is the right of the individual student and it should not be banned from schools.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Opposition
Conclusion
From the Paper
"The opposing side of the issue point to the clause in the constitution that refers to the separation of church and state. They believe this is a forefather mandate not to allow anything religious to enter a public school setting. This is incorrect. The mandate is to not have the public school system turn to a religious body for its rules, regulations and decisions. This has nothing to do with the fact that the constitution allows freedom of speech."
"In addition, those who oppose allowing school prayers point to the fact that there are many different faiths within public school systems. They believe that the minority of students who are not Christian by faith will feel left out or singled out when they choose not to take part in prayer. This can be easily regulated by treating the school prayer rights the same as any other freedom of speech rights."
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School Prayer, 2002.
An opinion paper about the advantages of prayer in the school system.
985 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
This paper is a brief discussion about the possible advantages that introducing prayer in a school assembly could provide. Included are considerations such as tolerance, added spirituality and lowering of violence levels in schools.
From the Paper
"The Supreme Court decided against prayer in school in the case of Engel vs. Vitale on Jun 25th, 1962. Mr. Justice Stewart was the only vote against the court's decision which he remarked: "I cannot see how an 'official religion' is established by letting those who want to say a prayer say it. On the contrary, I think that to deny the wish of these school children to join in reciting this prayer is to deny them the opportunity of sharing in the spiritual heritage of our Nation." (religioustolerance.org, sect. 3). In this particular time in America, I feel it is important to extend religious tolerance into the schools and establish school prayer for those students whose faith require prayer throughout the day, or feel compelled to join in a voluntary school assembly."
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Prayer in School, 2006.
An overview of school prayer and an exploration of whether a constitutional amendment is necessary.
1,502 words (approx. 6.0 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 49.95
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Abstract
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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Prayer in the School Systems, 2005.
Explores the abuses of the constitution by the use of Christian prayer in the American school system.
1,109 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
America was founded as a democracy where all religious beliefs would be tolerated. The paper argues that Christian thought has invaded our school systems on a regular basis and forced many non-Christians to feel excluded. This essay explores the attempts to keep established prayer in school. The ultimate goal is to defend a system where a child has a moment to pray or not pray in any way that child feels necessary.
From the Paper
"If the state remains neutral, then followers of all religions will more easily be able to live in peace because their religious beliefs do not collide on political grounds. Many countries have religious disputes because one religion is official and members of the other religions feel oppressed. America's founding fathers deemed it necessary to include religious freedom in the Constitution because the original colonists came to America to escape religious persecution. Now there are immigrants from all religious backgrounds coming to America with the intention of achieving complete religious freedom. If the public school system is allowed to have an established prayer, then an immigrant child with a different religious background or a child with no religious beliefs at all will feel excluded and may perhaps feel oppressed."
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Prayer in Public Schools, 2005.
This paper argues against prayer in public schools and in favor of religios freedom.
11,475 words (approx. 45.9 pages), 7 sources, APA, $ 224.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that, although the framers of the Constitution may have written clauses to protect the Church from the State, it has been decided by the Supreme Court that, in order to accomplish this, the State also must be protected from the Church. The author points out that advocates of school prayer counter that, since in a democracy the majority must be satisfied, a majority of Americans desire prayer in public schools; however, this statistic has never been proven. The paper stresses that, when teachers or other authority figures organize or lead a prayer, there is an obvious element of coercion involved for students who might not wish to pray. The author concludes that the government must protect the rights of all citizens to practice whatever religion they believe is the right faith for them or to practice no religion at all.
From the Paper
"Prayer divides children into two groups: the group that goes along, and the usually considerably smaller group of children who don't. Those who do not participate in "voluntary" prayers can be made the victims of ostracism, threats and other exclusionary practices. Schoolchildren have enough reasons to exclude each other without the help of a highly controversial issue such as religious belief inserting itself into the public classroom setting. ... Religion is such an emotional topic for so many people that it is irresponsible to allow it to be introduced into schools..."
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Advocates for Prayer in Schools, 2002.
A discussion of the controversial issue of prayer in American schools.
1,105 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 38.95
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Abstract
The issue of whether or not prayer should be allowed in schools has long been debated. This paper attempts to equally present both sides of the debate and also weigh in on the pros and cons of the issue. It also reviews what types of prayers may be said in schools if mandatory prayer is allowed. In addition, it discusses who will make the final decision as to whether or not prayer should be allowed in schools.
From the Paper
"There are four major reasons why advocates believe that prayer should be allowed in school. These reasons are; the elimination of school prayer leads to moral decline, the government is based on religious principles, the free exercise of religion clause allows for school prayer, and the majority of Americans advocate school prayer. (School Prayer a Community at War)"
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Prayer in Schools, 2004.
A discussion of the controversial issue of prayer in American schools.
1,857 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 59.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at both sides of the 'prayer in schools' debate. It explains that proponents feel that students should be allowed to begin each day at public school with a prayer, while opponents believe this is a violation of state and church.
From the Paper
"The debate of prayer in school is not a new issue by any means. During the last fifty years the United States Supreme Court has issued several rulings concerning this topic. In West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 1943, the Court ruled that the Board of Education could not require daily flag salute and pledge as a condition of a student's education after a group of Jehovah's Witnesses sought an injunction to stop the requirement and flag salute (Supreme pg). This ruling provided "scrupulous protection" of a student's constitutional liberties as guaranteed by the First Amendment (Supreme pg). In the 1962 Engel v. Vitale, a number of parents of students challenged the Board of Education of New Hyde Park, New York regarding the NYS Regents composed prayer at the beginning of each school day (Supreme pg). Although the state had said that it was a non-denominational prayer and no student was compelled to recite it, the Supreme Court found that the school district had violated the students' First Amendment rights "because even though the students did not have to say the prayer, the reciting of the prayer in class would put unwanted pressures on them, and moreover, found that the non-denominational prayer was too religious for the state to mandate and was therefore in violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment (Supreme pg)."
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Prayer in Schools, 2002.
An argumentative paper for and against prayer in schools and a discussion of church vs. state in America.
1,814 words (approx. 7.3 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 58.95
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Abstract
A discussion on the history of prayer in American schools. This paper presents arguments for and against the issue and also examines legal implications of these arguments. Current legal battles are discussed and legislative conclusions are presented. This paper also addresses the issue of church vs. state in America as a whole and schools in particular.
From the Paper
"Prayer in schools is one of the most debated topics in U.S. history. Debate didn't begin in the 1960s as some people believe. Debate began more than 100 years ago when Italian and Irish Catholic immigrants were forced to read the King James Bible and pray in schools. At that time, during the 1830s, the first prayer in school conflicts erupted. Riots, fires at convents and school expulsions were commonplace in the name of the school prayer debate. In 1962, as the United States became a more diverse nation, the court ruled against school prayer in the case of Engel v. Vitale (Grunberg and Crane: This History par 1)."
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Public Prayer in the School System, 2001.
This essay is a case study of the issue of prayer in the public school system in the United States.
1,055 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 37.95
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Abstract
This paper examines the issue of holding prayers in public schools, whether they are mandatory or not. It examines the legal and moral aspects of this issue from the point of view of the three major religions. It details the First Amendment and several cases dealing with this matter and their outcomes. It details different ways of dealing with this problem and ways that are legal to implement it.
From the Paper
"In 1947, when the Supreme Court was debating the issue of the separation of church and state, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black remarked, "The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable." With the case of Lee v. Weisman, the Court drew a distinct line between what is constitutional and what is unconstitutional. The case involved the practice in Providence, Rhode Island, of having a short prayer at the beginning and end of public school graduation ceremonies (an invocation and a benediction). The audience at these ceremonies was made up primarily of students and parents. The Court had to decide whether this short prayer was like the prayers recited to open legislative sessions, or like the daily prayers in public school in front of impressionable schoolchildren. This was not an easy decision to make. Four justices thought that the prayers at public school graduation ceremonies were more in the nature of a formality at a public event. These justices believed that the prayers were part of a long tradition, like prayers at legislative sessions, and could not be seen as an attempt to indoctrinate children in a particular religious belief. The other five justices did not agree and ruled that such prayers violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Kennedy, who wrote the majority opinion, held that while attendance at public school graduation ceremonies is not required, few students would want to miss the ceremony. While the children could absent themselves from the part of the ceremony that contained the prayer, that would be difficult for them because of the very nature of the graduation process. There would also be peer pressure to participate and to not "make a fuss" about the prayer. The Court ruled that because the graduation ceremony is part of an official public school event, prayers cannot be allowed. (CARELLI 2000)."
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Prayer in School, 2002.
An examination of the legal issues associated with prayer in schools.
1,650 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
A presentation of the debate regarding prayer in schools with case citations.
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Prayers in Public Schools, 2005.
Position paper arguing in favor of allowing prayer in public schools.
901 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 4 sources, APA, $ 32.95
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Abstract
The author of this paper argues that students should be allowed to pray in public schools just as they were allowed to pray in public schools in the early years of the country. The author bases her arguments on the belief that the First Amendment of the Constitution has been misinterpreted.
From the Paper
"If we examine the US constitution closely, it would be apparent that the founding fathers and the framers of the US constitution had never intended a ban on prayers. In fact, several of the founding fathers fervently believed in the essential role of religion and morality in the life of the nation. James Madison, the author of most of the US constitution wrote in 1785: "Religion [is] the basis and Foundation of Government." (Quoted in "James Madison," 2003) It is also interesting to note that the phrase "wall of separation to between the Church and State," which is often used by supporters of the prayer ban to justify the ruling never appear in the US constitution even once. The expression was used by Thomas Jefferson in response to a letter from the Baptists who had approached him in 1802 and urged him to promote religious freedom of the minority religious groups. (Shelby, 1992)"
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Prayer in School, 2004.
Examines both sides of the argument surrounding the use of prayer in educational facilities in America.
1,856 words (approx. 7.4 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 59.95
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Abstract
Those who argue against allowing prayers in school point to the American Constitution, which mandates a separation of church and state. Those who support the issue, however, remind the world that Senate, Congressional, and city meetings start with a prayer. This paper presents a detailed examination of the issue of prayer in school. The writer explores the issue from both sides and includes several examples of government debate regarding prayer in schools. After presenting both sides of the issue, the writer's view is presented on the side of those who believe that a student should be able to express his or her religion freely, but should not be forced to do so.
From the Paper
"One of the problems with the issue of allowing prayer in school or not is the fact that the public is receiving many conflicting messages. The constitution clearly mandates that there should be a separation of church and state. To those who are against prayer in school, this easily translates to believing the founding fathers did not want anything spiritual allowed into a public school system, which after all is funded and run by the "state", a government body. Separation of church and state, according to the detractors of prayer in school, means that no religious events or activities should be allowed within the school grounds during public school hours."
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Prayer in School, 2004.
This paper discusses several court cases reflecting the fact that many people continue to question the right of the schools to allow or not allow students any religious activities within the school setting.
2,030 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 10 sources, MLA, $ 64.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that, while church and state are to be separate, the government continues to play a vital role in deciding what can or cannot be done within the public school system. The author points out that, during the last century, many court cases have specifically defined the First Amendment and addressed key issues where rulings determined what may or may not be done within the school system concerning religious activities or displays. The paper details three major decisions made by the United States Supreme Court regarding state-approved religious activities in schools and their violations against the United States Constitution. These include Everson vs. Board of Education Court (1945), Engel vs. Vitale (1962), School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania vs. Schempp (1963)
From the Paper
"A student is not banned by the First Amendment to participate in the act of praying while at school. Instead, it prohibits public schools from being actually being involved in the prayers or other religious activities of students. Moments of silence in which individual students may choose to pray are constitutional, so long as teachers neither instruct nor encourage students to use the time for prayer. It is also constitutional for educators to teach the curriculum subjects of religious history, literature, and music if presented as academic and not in a devotional manner."
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