Simple concepts and applications

Religion Argument

Why Religion Should be Kept Out of Public Schools

The right to freely practice any religion in this country is one of its founding principles. This has led to major difference of opinion on the issue of whether or not prayers should be allowed in school. Some claim that students and teachers cannot be prevented from praying in whatever way they choose, while others claim that this constitutes the government sanctioning religion, specifically Christianity. Due to the effects that this has on students that are not of a Christian background, it is clear that prayer should not be a classroom affair.

There is, of course, no reason that individual students should not be given the opportunity to pray during school hours if it is expected of members of their religion. Students should certainly be allowed to pray quietly at their desks, or in another location that would not disrupt classroom activities. This allows them the freedom to practice their religions as established by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and any attempts to prevent students from praying in this manner would certainly be a violation of their civil rights.

A right in a democracy only extends insofar as it does not limit someone else's freedoms, however. If the entire class were expected to make time for prayer, this would constitute an establishment of religion, which is also a violation of the First Amendment. In a private school, religion can be established if so desired, but a public institution does not have the Constitutional right to encourage or discourage the practice of any religion whatsoever.

The reasons for this can quickly be seen by considering the case of any person in a classroom who is not religious. If the teacher and the majority of the class were engaged in prayer, that student will undoubtedly be receiving the message that his or her beliefs are inferior and not as important. Schools are the primary institutions of forming social and political identities, and it is for this reason that they must be kept religiously neutral.

Allowing religion into public schools will only increase feelings of separatism and inequality in this country. It is not only Constitutionally forbidden, but it is also ethically and morally prohibited. Whether or not the religion is permitted to directly influence the workings of the class, members of non-dominant religions or who are not at all religious will necessarily feel inferior to the rest of the class. The protection of their rights in the face of other's actions is the primary concern of the Constitution.

Outline

Introduction

I. Freedom of religion is a founding principle.

II. This has led to disagreements about prayer/religion in schools