Prayer Do we Care
Prayer, Do we Dare? ... The debate on prayer in public schools has been around since 1962 when the Engel decision was brought to the courts. The Engel decision was established because the parents of New York students felt that the mandated prayer in public schools was “contrary to the beliefs, religions, or religious practices of both themselves and their children"(Gaddy, Hall, Marzano 187). Due to these reactions the state court permitted the use of the prayer as long as it was not forced. ... Since then many cases have been brought to the courts regarding school prayer. This has led up to the more recent cases being debated today such as Istook’s prayer amendment. ... Even though more people are encouraging prayer since these attacks, public prayer may not be the right answer for everyone. Requiring a certain prayer will conflict with some religions and make schools an uncomfortable place for some (Johnson 1). ... Prayer should be allowed in public schools because there is a national interest, it could reduce the negative factors in our society, and Congress cannot make a law barring religion. People around our nation are encouraging and desiring prayer. ... News Report survey,”72% of Americans are in favor of using public school facilities for religious groups, 66% are in favor of daily prayer in the classroom, and 80% are in favor of Graduation speech prayers” (“Prayer 101…” 12). ... The fact that so many more students are participating in these voluntary acts illustrates that more students are in favor of prayer in schools now than in the past. ... For example, in Harvey, Illinois city officials are interested in finding a way to return prayer to schools. The council passed a ruling in October 2001 that says that school prayer would be a suitable response “in light of the recent attacks of terrorism in our country” (Boston 9). ... He organized a stadium-wide prayer (Morse 71). ... The government in the past has played a passive role in school prayer and is now getting more involved. ... I believe that one of the best ways we can help out schools to do this is by supporting students’ rights to voluntarily practice their religious beliefs, including prayer in schools…for more than 200 years, the First Amendment has protected our religious freedom and allowed many faiths to flourish in our homes, in our work place, and in our schools.