prayer in schools
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TRANSCRIPT
BY: LAURA GARZACI 583
10/13 /2010
Prayer in Schools
“One nation under God”
The Problem
Many people honestly believe that prayer is not allowed in public schools. This is wrong. Unfortunately, this mistaken notion sometimes extends to teachers, principals and school boards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRVJE_wZ18
Students opportunity to pray:
“Prayer is allowed and in fact is a protected form of free speech throughout the public school system.”
Students may pray silently during a moment of silence
“Students can pray in school busses, at the flag-pole, in student religious clubs, in the hallways, cafeteria, etc.”
Conflict over school prayer
Some believe that to start the school day with a prayer will create an aura of solemnity and order among the students.
Others believe that prayer has magical powers.
Others feel that if the students are forced to recite a Christian prayer each day, they will come to realize that they live in a Christian country where the government and its institutions support Christianity.
Court Rulings, Laws and Events
1948- McCollum vs. Board of Education
1954- Tudor vs. Board of Education
1960 Madalyn Murray O’Hair vs. Baltimore ISD
1962- Engel vs. Vitale
1963 - Abington Township School vs. Schempp; Murray vs. Curlett
2001- Public School rentals
Religious Rights
Banning of Religious
clothing and symbols.
Teachers, coaches, ect
leading a group prayer.
Advance nor inhibit
religion.
Public prayer at
school games.
Students to recite
prayers in class.
The Law
Prohibits
The Constitution allows…
….
Benediction and prayers at graduation ceremonies
Teaching religion
Student religious clubs
Moment of silence
and…
Prayer outside of school building
School religious speech Teacher display of religion
http://www.examiner.com/news-in-san-diego/judge-allows-teacher-s-classroom-display-involving-religion
Research Purpose
The goal of this research it to understand what the place of prayer is in public schools.
Significant Factors to Consider about School Prayer
Prayer is not forbidden in public schools.
There is a small minority of parents who follow other than Christian religion and find praying deeply offensive.
Praying is a choice, not a requirement.
References:
Prayer in Schools. Retrieved from http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/prayer-in-school.htm
Robinson B.A. (2003). Religion in Public Schools. Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pra9.htm
Robinson B.A. (2007). The Federal Equal Access Act. Retrieved from http://www.religioustoleran.org