Prayer in the public school system: arguments for and against

Religion

Should there be prayer allowed in the public school system?

The history of prayer in public school has been one that has had a lot of legal interpretation. The link between religion and government in the United States can be found in the First Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment prevents the government from establishing a religion. It also protects people's rights of religious expression and activities from government interference. The First Amendment also sets limits on the conduct of public school officials as it relates to any religious activity (Prayer in Public School - Overview of Governing Constitutional Principles, 2003)

The Supreme Court has again and again found that the First Amendment requires public school officials to be neutral when comes to religion. They are not allowed to show preference for nor opposition to any religious expression. This was handed down in the cases of Good News Club v. Milford Cent. Sch., 533 U.S. 98 (2001) and Everson v. Board of Educ., 330 U.S. 1 (1947). The First Amendment forbids any religious activity that is supported by the government. It also upholds religious activity that is carried out by private people. The line that separates government-sponsored religious activity and private religious expression is often hard to determine as it relates to the scope of the First Amendment. It is the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment that prevents government sponsored religion, while it is the Free Exercise Clause that protects private speech that supports religion. This can be seen in the case of Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290, 302 (2000) (Prayer in Public School - Overview of Governing Constitutional Principles, 2003)

Those who support the ideas of prayer being put back into the public schools often argue that the U.S. Supreme Court has substituted the freedom of religion which is guaranteed by the Constitution, with freedom from religion. Supporters believe that banning school prayer reduces the religious freedom of those students who would like to pray. They also feel that it forces students to do something according to what the non-religious minority wants. Advocates believe that over the years the U.S. Supreme Court has misunderstood the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. They hold that a simple and voluntary school prayer does not amount to the government establishing a religion anymore than does employing Congressional chaplains or having government recognized religious holidays. Proponents feel that school prayer would bring about many positive benefits for both the students and society. A lot of public school systems are seen as disintegrating. This can be seen by a notable increase in school shootings, an increase of drug use, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, and the spread of HIV. School prayer is thought to be able to help to fight these concerns by inspiring a sense of morality in students. Prayer is also thought to be needed in order to guard today's children. Supporters think that schools must do more than just teach children academics. They feel that schools must also look after children's souls while reinforcing the values that are being taught at home and in the community. School prayer would allow those students who are religious have the opportunity to practice their religious beliefs during the school day. The U.S. Supreme Court has supported school cooperation in regards to the establishment of religion. They have done this because they respect the religious nature of people and feel that people should be able to accommodate their spiritual needs (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)?

On the other side of the debate, those who are against putting prayer back into the public schools often argue that school prayer violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment because it says that the government shall not make laws in regards to the establishment of religion. Due to the fact that public schools are financed by the government, prayer that is led by school officials or included in any school program can be seen as government-established religion. Proponents to school prayer feel that school prayer ignores the division of church and state. Traditionally public schools are thought to be for education purposes only, not religious commemoration. Proponents argue that there are currently times in which prayer in school is permissible. This would be when students pray on a voluntary basis as long as it is not disruptive in any way (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)?

There are many who believe that school prayer may lead to prejudice. Those against public prayer believe that having prayer would only emphasize any religious differences that exist between the children. This group also things that students who refrain from school prayer will not be accepted by their peers. School prayer is thought to be innately coercive. It is thought that there is no way that it can be put into practice in a way that is completely voluntary. The public school system was created for all students and supported by taxpayers, so many believe that it should remain neutral on religious issues because students and taxpayers are likely not to see eye-to-eye (What are the pros and cons of prayer in school, n.d.)?