Prayer in Public Schools

[KaitouSai100]

Recently my friend Drew's school has taken to having a 30 second pause to pray to whatever god they worship. But isn't this a violation of the first amendment right to religion? Should students be forced to pray to god? What if they're atheist?

On this subject, I know in my sophmore summer year, I've got to read the bible for British Lit. However, this is for educational purposes only. It's only being done because British Lit refers to the bible often, and the teachers figure knowing will make us better understand what we're reading. Is it just to have us read a religious book? Even if it's just for educational purposes?

((Course, when they say 30 seconds of prayer, he says he prays to the devil. Just to contradict what the school district wants, but...whatever.))

[Shishi Uchiha]

your right(also in sophmore year:D )

[MissySmithy]

Are they forced to pray? Because in my school we have a minute of silence every day and it's your choice if you want to pray or not. But that's mostly for respect for the people that do want to pray but if you don't want to then it's ok.

[Shishi Uchiha]

mine to then after the minute comes the pledge of aligence

[KingTW]

forced prayer is simply not right. There should be no force on religion to n e 1, if they wish to not participate, they should have that option

[Shishi Uchiha]

didnt the schools get sued because some guys kid was a athiest and they did the pledge of aligence just because god is in there

[KaitouSai100]

I don't see why we need a moment of silence at all. I mean sure, if it's to honor fallen soldiers or to commemorate a holiday, it's a good idea to be respectful. But if it's intended to be a moment of prayer for those who wish to take it, then I believe it just wastes time. The student can pray on his/her own time.

[MissySmithy]

^ Actually I am one of those people who takes advantage of that minute so I can't say that I don't like it :D .

But it's true what you say, if people really need it they can have it in their own time. But then again, it's all about opinions.

[PriscillaXOXOXOX]

at my school, theres no praying, we dont say the pledge either. We just do to school and learn, thats it.

[Summer.]

wooow, that's stupid O.o

you believe in God or not, you pray or not, your free choices.
I can't believe that anyone can force you to worship.
I ABSOLUTELY wouldn't do that, if I wouldn't feel like it.

[Mikaya]

they shouldn't be forced to do something they don't want to do or believe in, it is wrong.

The 1 minute silence is respectful but not really a prayer, but thinking about the soldiers who died in war.

[Shishi Uchiha]

yea

[sarahmoore72294]

The school made the right decision there, if the kids don't want to pray they can sit and think about other things or whatever, a time to pray should be mandatory.

[Dr. Lecter]

It isn't as if they're making you pray they just take out 30 seconds of their day to have a moment of silence.
If you're athiest then just stand there and shut up...

[majinsharingan]

It isn't as if they're making you pray they just take out 30 seconds of their day to have a moment of silence.
If you're athiest then just stand there and shut up...

Here's a better idea.
Just shut up.
It isn't all about you selfish fundamentalists. That's right, selfish.
You believe what we believe and if you don't too damn bad, we're right and you're wrong because we agree with ourselves.
Homosexuals are bad because we're straight men.
If you're an atheist you're going to hell because you don't agree with us.

Here's an idea.
Grow up and maybe you can see that HEY! Christians aren't the only people in America!
And guess what else?
Not everyone wants to pray in the morning.
Better yet, not everyone wants to pray at ALL.
If you want to go to school and pray. Go to catholic school.
If you don't have the money.
Then idk what to tell you.
If only there was a place where people can gather early in the morning and pray as a group.
You can gather all these people up in a building and worship. No one disagrees so everyone is happy.
We could call this place....Church....

If only there really was such a thing as...Church....

[Dr. Lecter]

Here's a better idea.
Just shut up.
It isn't all about you selfish fundamentalists. That's right, selfish.
You believe what we believe and if you don't too damn bad, we're right and you're wrong because we agree with ourselves.
Homosexuals are bad because we're straight men.
If you're an atheist you're going to hell because you don't agree with us.

Exactly:lmao:


Grow up and maybe you can see that HEY! Christians aren't the only people in America!

Yeah I know...they're are Muslims and Buddhists and they can all pray too...
If you don't want to pray you get a free 30 seconds to just be quiet.
I don't understand why it's a problem...

And guess what else?
Not everyone wants to pray in the morning.

It's not like they're sitting there in a group holding hands and praying, you're just standing there in silence...

Better yet, not everyone wants to pray at ALL.

Ok, so just stand there and be quiet.
Why is that so hard?

If you want to go to school and pray. Go to catholic school.
If you don't have the money.
Then idk what to tell you.

So are you suggesting that standing for 30 seconds to do anything you want is wrong just because some people choose to use their time to pray...


If only there was a place where people can gather early in the morning and pray as a group.
You can gather all these people up in a building and worship. No one disagrees so everyone is happy.
We could call this place....Church....

If only there really was such a thing as...Church....

Church is every Saturday not every day.
Just because the school allows you to pray every day it all of sudden becomes morally wrong???
I don't understand your logic in thinking that it is wrong for allowing students to pray to their god/gods every morning...

[majinsharingan]

Yeah I know...they're are Muslims and Buddhists and they can all pray too...
If you don't want to pray you get a free 30 seconds to just be quiet.
I don't understand why it's a problem...


Amendment #1


It's not like they're sitting there in a group holding hands and praying, you're just standing there in silence...



Amendment #1

Ok, so just stand there and be quiet.
Why is that so hard?


Amendment #1

So are you suggesting that standing for 30 seconds to do anything you want is wrong just because some people choose to use their time to pray...


Amendment #1



Church is every Saturday not every day.
Just because the school allows you to pray every day it all of sudden becomes morally wrong???
I don't understand your logic in thinking that it is wrong for allowing students to pray to their god/gods every morning...

Amendment #1

It's not allowing. It's a set time for everyone to pray. That breaks Amendment #1 and the reason you don't see my logic is you'd be one of the people praying.

[Dr. Lecter]

It's not allowing. It's a set time for everyone to pray. That breaks Amendment #1 and the reason you don't see my logic is you'd be one of the people praying.

What religion do you know of where they don't pray/meditate?
Other than being an athiest...
How is it breaking the first amendment if you have the option to pray or just stand there...
I really don't see the issue in just standing for 30 seconds out of your life.

[D.I.Y Death]

Here's a better idea.
Just shut up.
It isn't all about you selfish fundamentalists. That's right, selfish.
You believe what we believe and if you don't too damn bad, we're right and you're wrong because we agree with ourselves.
Homosexuals are bad because we're straight men.
If you're an atheist you're going to hell because you don't agree with us.

Here's an idea.
Grow up and maybe you can see that HEY! Christians aren't the only people in America!
And guess what else?
Not everyone wants to pray in the morning.
Better yet, not everyone wants to pray at ALL.
If you want to go to school and pray. Go to catholic school.
If you don't have the money.
Then idk what to tell you.
If only there was a place where people can gather early in the morning and pray as a group.
You can gather all these people up in a building and worship. No one disagrees so everyone is happy.
We could call this place....Church....

If only there really was such a thing as...Church....

Matt ditch the little kid syndrome. You're better than this asinine drivel.
The guy simply said if you don't want to pray at least have the courtesy to shut up for 30 seconds and I'm inclined to agree. Fuck the religion aspect of this lets boil it down to common courtesy so don't get butt hurt from this guy's opinions in other threads and then transfer your hate into another thread where he's being totally reasonable.

[slimshady839201]

I believe that the 30 seconds was fine. Me, being religious, prayed during that time. But the people who were not as religious, or atheist could just sit there for 30 seconds. I mean, c'mon, it's 30 SECONDS of your day. That's not even enough time to do one problem on a test. I don't think it was a big deal, but apparently some people can't take 30 seconds of a day, which contains 86,400 seconds. You have PLENTY of time to take 30 seconds to be quiet out of your HORRIBLY busy day.

[majinsharingan]

You're right, I was irrational and it wasn't needed. Thanks.
Sorry hm.

What religion do you know of where they don't pray/meditate?
Other than being an athiest...

Does it matter?
Read the constitution.

How is it breaking the first amendment if you have the option to pray or just stand there...

Yes.
Separation of Church and State.

I believe that the 30 seconds was fine. Me, being religious, prayed during that time. But the people who were not as religious, or atheist could just sit there for 30 seconds. I mean, c'mon, it's 30 SECONDS of your day. That's not even enough time to do one problem on a test. I don't think it was a big deal, but apparently some people can't take 30 seconds of a day, which contains 86,400 seconds. You have PLENTY of time to take 30 seconds to be quiet out of your HORRIBLY busy day.

You're religious though, that's why you don't see the problem.

[D.I.Y Death]

You're right, I was irrational and it wasn't needed. Thanks.
Sorry hm.



Does it matter?
Read the constitution.



Yes.
Separation of Church and State.



You're religious though, that's why you don't see the problem.
Just remember to kick me in the ass when I do the same :P

[slimshady839201]

You're religious though, that's why you don't see the problem.

Well, I may be religious, but I am probably one of the most open-minded religious people about others choices and beliefs. Just because I follow the bible doesn't mean I'm this whole fanatic that thinks if you don't follow it 100% your going to hell. I'm willing to be good friends with people who don't follow my lifestyle. It's understandable. We all have our own way to live and I respect that to the highest degree. The only thing is 30 seconds isn't much time to just stand there and respect the life choices of your class mates. It's not like we're praying out loud in a giant circle with candles and demanding you be a part of it. We're not asking you to be isolated from a group of people. Just that you respect what we do, and let us take 30 seconds to pray that we all have a good day and we get through it happy.

[WhiteFang]

Recently my friend Drew's school has taken to having a 30 second pause to pray to whatever god they worship. But isn't this a violation of the first amendment right to religion? Should students be forced to pray to god? What if they're atheist?

On this subject, I know in my sophmore summer year, I've got to read the bible for British Lit. However, this is for educational purposes only. It's only being done because British Lit refers to the bible often, and the teachers figure knowing will make us better understand what we're reading. Is it just to have us read a religious book? Even if it's just for educational purposes?

((Course, when they say 30 seconds of prayer, he says he prays to the devil. Just to contradict what the school district wants, but...whatever.))

Well, mine is a Christian school, and we have a forced prayer every morning.

Which is something I don't like 'coz I'm an atheist.

However, I don't pray. Just stand there and listen. Tolerance.

But I definitely think its not right. But since our society is so religious and this is just a minor annoyance, I never really decided to take this up seriously.

[majinsharingan]

Just remember to kick me in the ass when I do the same :P

Will do ;)

The only thing is 30 seconds isn't much time to just stand there and respect the life choices of your class mates.

The thing is, it isn't respecting the beliefs of your classmates it's FOLLOWING the beliefs of your classmates.
If they have 30 seconds for the christian religion, they need 30 seconds for the Islam religion, the Buddhist religion, the Jewish religion, etc...etc...

We're not asking you to be isolated from a group of people. Just that you respect what we do, and let us take 30 seconds to pray that we all have a good day and we get through it happy.

That's what home and church is for.
School isn't church. If you want to pray that you will have a good day, pray when you get up like a lot of people do.

[slimshady839201]

The thing is, it isn't respecting the beliefs of your classmates it's FOLLOWING the beliefs of your classmates.
If they have 30 seconds for the christian religion, they need 30 seconds for the Islam religion, the Buddhist religion, the Jewish religion, etc...etc...

But it isn't classified as 30 seconds of Christian God time. It's 30 seconds for religion. So whatever religion you have, you can pray to them. Or if you don't have one, then you get 30 seconds of silence to reflect upon what you plan on doing that day.


That's what home and church is for.
School isn't church. If you want to pray that you will have a good day, pray when you get up like a lot of people do.
I do, I feel like the more a religious person prays, the better off they feel. It's hard to explain, but just being able to trust that things will get better with the help of God makes the burden lighter..

[X-Drake]

I pray at school. Takes like however long. Freedom to practice your beliefs, mainifest them in worship ect under the freedom of thoughs, consceince and religion act in the European convention of human rights.

So I can walk out of class when I need to, but I hardely do as my prayers are a fixed time.

The United Kingdom is a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights) which provides a right to freedom of thought (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_thought), conscience (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_conscience) and religion. Article 9 guarantees "the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance" and that "freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others".

[majinsharingan]

But it isn't classified as 30 seconds of Christian God time.

Because the government can't say that. However it was set up by Christians FOR Christians.

It's 30 seconds for religion. So whatever religion you have, you can pray to them. Or if you don't have one, then you get 30 seconds of silence to reflect upon what you plan on doing that day.

OR....you can pray at your house and keep religion out of public school like you're SUPPOSED to.

[slimshady839201]

Because the government can't say that. However it was set up by Christians FOR Christians..
Well, I could say that is that we're trying to help everybody else out by giving them time to prey to their God(s), but that would be ignorant and a lie. I honestly don't know if they set it up for specifically us or for everyone.


OR....you can pray at your house and keep religion out of public school like you're SUPPOSED to.
And that is exactly why my school stopped allowing those 30 seconds.

[Jackums]

I don't see the big deal. If you don't want to pray, don't.
Just stand there and shut up for 30 seconds. Simple.

[KidnappedInnocence]

I don't see the big deal. If you don't want to pray, don't.
Just stand there and shut up for 30 seconds. Simple.
i agree..tottally wit jackk

[orochimaru4president]

I think prayer in school should be optional,
I mean if you think about it, it just doesnt work.

If people wanted to pray, they'd do it in their own
time.

[linksmolecules]

I don't think prayer should be allowed in school because it's not neccesary and it might offend certain religions, creeds, and some atheists.

[majinsharingan]

I don't see the big deal. If you don't want to pray, don't.
Just stand there and shut up for 30 seconds. Simple.

Here's a better idea. How about we avoid any conflict and keep prayer in its place? Amendment 1 people.

[schrodinger]

My school used to have silence....but then me and several others began shouting loudly each morning......it was immature...it was stupid, but now it has saved me almost three days (72 hours) worth of time combining those one minute piriods..... sooo.....if you are having silence problems......abolish it.....nonviolent protest works :xd:

but honestly, it was kinda mean for me to do that looking back...still....if some religious person wants to pray.....do it at home, or after school, or before school...or in the bathroom for petes sake....just dont take up time for people that dont share your beliefs, especially on something technicaly unconstitutional.

[MinatoNamikaze]

I say give 30 seconds of prayer time but make it in scilence so everyone can pray in what ever religion they believe in. Atheists should be be able to take away ones right to pray

[Jackums]

Here's a better idea. How about we avoid any conflict and keep prayer in its place? Amendment 1 people.

That would be the better option. But there's no use in complaining.
It's not that hard to shut up for 30 seconds a day. There's no need to pray
in that time if you're not religious.

[linksmolecules]

Not only that but religious students can still pray silently anytime they want, before lunch, test, etc.

[MinatoNamikaze]

Not only that but religious students can still pray silently anytime they want, before lunch, test, etc.

Yes but not everyone is a hard ass religious persona dn may only pray if they are alloted time for it

[schrodinger]

Then they can pray in church or something..... why should everyone else have to have time taken out of there day, to sit there and be quiet......if you ask me, the religious people should instead, set aside their own time, not force everyone to waste time.......now, i understand that it is a short time span....but it still is ridiculous in priciple....

[Josiah Hatake]

Church is seperate from school xd. Madatory praying should be helds at church and church alone. Thats wut I think.

[D.I.Y Death]

I don't agree with mandatory "pray" time but if they ask everyone to shut up for 30 seconds to allow for prayer or self contemplation or thinking about how you want to bang the cute girl sitting beside you I don't think we really have the right to dispute it. They aren't forcing you to pray or perform a hour long ritual so I really don't see the issue here. Hell if you really don't want to take the massive 30 seconds of your life to wait for someone to collect their thoughts in the way they see fit take that time to read.

[linksmolecules]

^ Nice, Ha,Ha, there is nothing wrong with that.

[Chocolate]

I don't think it's a good idea of having Prayers and forcing the students to pray like a minute a day or something. It's not the time that's wrong, it's just schools shouldn't have these prayers when you have to pray something that you don't even believe. It's like forcing a jew to pray for Budda when he doesn't even believen it.

[Anthony Sky]

It should be choice if some one wishes to waste a minute or two of there own time why not let them.

[Chocolate]

It should be choice if some one wishes to waste a minute or two of there own time why not let them.
True but there are some people that don't follow those prayers. What would be better is when they say stuff like, "Pray for your own religon for a minute or two." Instead of stuff like, "You all pray for Jesus."

[MinatoNamikaze]

i thought it was like a moment of silence to pray, not somone over the announcements directing the prayers :S

[slimshady839201]

I don't agree with mandatory "pray" time but if they ask everyone to shut up for 30 seconds to allow for prayer or self contemplation or thinking about how you want to bang the cute girl sitting beside you I don't think we really have the right to dispute it. They aren't forcing you to pray or perform a hour long ritual so I really don't see the issue here. Hell if you really don't want to take the massive 30 seconds of your life to wait for someone to collect their thoughts in the way they see fit take that time to read.

That is exactly how I feel.


I don't think it's a good idea of having Prayers and forcing the students to pray like a minute a day or something. It's not the time that's wrong, it's just schools shouldn't have these prayers when you have to pray something that you don't even believe. It's like forcing a jew to pray for Budda when he doesn't even believen it.

It's not like they're forcing them to all pray to one. It's just 30 seconds to pray to your God. And if you don't have a God, it's 30 seconds to collect your thoughts. To think of what you plan on doing that day.

[Chocolate]

It's not like they're forcing them to all pray to one. It's just 30 seconds to pray to your God. And if you don't have a God, it's 30 seconds to collect your thoughts. To think of what you plan on doing that day.
One of my cousin's school sends out detentions if you don't pray to a God. And they don't even think about the Athiests.

[slimshady839201]

Is it a Christian or Catholic school??

If so, then that's different. We're talking about in public schools.

[Chocolate]

Is it a Christian or Catholic school??

If so, then that's different. We're talking about in public schools.
It's a Public school. Which is kinda stupid b/c some people might be believing in something different or their atheist.

[slimshady839201]

That makes no sense though.. Why would a school do that??

[Chocolate]

^Maybe it's b/c their either:
a.Racist and really don't care for other religons/athiests.
or b.They wanna piss us off.xD

It's pretty much the same reason why they allow making out and kissing in girl's bathrooms b/c they don't care what happens.xDDD

[slimshady839201]

Wow.. that is one messed up school.. lol.
I've never heard of a public school doing that.. :confused:

[Chocolate]

Wow.. that is one messed up school.. lol.
I've never heard of a public school doing that.. :confused:
Maybe the school aren't so sure about athiests you know? Maybe in my cousins school, nearly everyone has a religon or something to pray about. Or, er, nevermind about that.XD
Or maybe even if your an athiests, there is SOMETHING that you would be praying about that has nothing to do with God/religon/ect. Like praying for you graduating college or something.

[majinsharingan]

One of my cousin's school sends out detentions if you don't pray to a God. And they don't even think about the Athiests.

No offense but I highly highly doubt that's true.
Let's see....a small public school in a very small town in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania proposed a textbook that has both Evolution and Intelligent Design in it and the supreme court is in on it in a matter of months.
Unless this just happened for the first time. I strongly believe one of you is lying.

[slimshady839201]

Yea, there is no way that a school would do that. It would've made news by now. In my town of only 3,000 we had to stop doing the 30 seconds of silence because it offended people.

[Chocolate]

No offense but I highly highly doubt that's true.
Let's see....a small public school in a very small town in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania proposed a textbook that has both Evolution and Intelligent Design in it and the supreme court is in on it in a matter of months.
Unless this just happened for the first time. I strongly believe one of you is lying.
I understand Majin, but what I meant about this, I'm not 100% positive that they do that. Proabaly my cousin just says not, not everything he says is true. You're right, I doubt it that they make public schools do such b/c they might go get sued for the serious stuff like detetions for not praying.
I've always wondered, whould saying the Plege of Alligance be a prayer to America? You can call me stupid for asking that, lol.

[slimshady839201]

No, I don't think that it is a prayer. A prayer is to some sort of higher being. And the pledge is not directed as such. And you should really make sure you know what your posting is true before you post it.