To Pray or Not to Pray

2792 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Controversial policies in public education religion

To Pray or Not to Pray

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech...

On December 15th, 1791, the Bill of Rights was ratified. The first of these ten amendments to the constitution of the United States states that it is forbidden for congress or for any state or state institution to pass a law respecting or prohibiting the practice of religion. Since then, the precise meaning of these words has been constantly under debate. Most recently, this debate has surfaced with respect to the establishment of school prayer. Although there are some who may claim that the first amendment does not prohibit the establishment of prayer in public school as an aspect of national law, their arguments are not enough for us to violate or alter the law as set forth by the first amendment. The text of the first amendment is unmistakably clear, and prohibits the establishment by congress of any laws pertaining to religion, whatsoever. Therefore, it should be obvious that such a law may not be passed. However, as in any debate, there are two sides, and before the point of view of the other side can be addressed, we must first be aware of the history behind this controversial issue.

In 1843, shortly before the Civil War, there was a riot in the Philadelphia suburb of Kensington. This riot was prompted not by differing views over slavery, the hot topic at the time, but rather by a debate over the practice of religion in public schools. More specifically, there had recently been a decision by the educational board of southeastern Pennsylvania to allow Catholic students to refrain from joining in the Protestant Bible reading and prayer in Philadelph...

... middle of paper ...

...ds prayer in a time of need (God forbid)". p.196-8.

Freedom From Religion Foundation. "The Case Against School Prayer (Keep the Church and State Forever Separate)". 3pp. Online, 27 Feb, 1996. dan@softdisk.com. Internet. Access: 24 Feb, 1997.

First Amendment News - Religion. "Nation awaits outcome of school-prayer case". 2pp. Online, Apr, 1996. Internet. Access: 25 Feb, 1997.

Helms, Senator Jesse A. "School Prayer: Pro". pp.339-40.

Lynn, Barry W. "School Prayer: Con". pp.343-5 Writing and Reading Accross the Curriculum, sixth edition. Editors, Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. New York, Addison Wesley Longman, 1997.

Mummert, Melissa. "A Brief History of School Prayer". Channel One Online. 3pp. Internet. Access: 24 Feb, 1997.

Weisman, Deborah. "ACLU Client - Deborah Weisman". ACLU - In the Courts. 2pp. Online. Internet. Access: 24 Feb, 1997.

Show More
Related

  • Modern Interpretation of The First Amendment

    1663 Words  | 4 Pages

    The first Amendment of the United States Constitution says; “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”[1] Our fore fathers felt that this statement was plain enough for all to understand, however quite often the United States government deems it necessary to make laws to better define those rights that are stated in the Constitution. Today the framers would be both encouraged and discouraged by our modern interpretation the First Amendment the United States Constitution.

    Read More

  • Prayer in School: One Hypocrisy of Our Democracy

    1961 Words  | 4 Pages

    This paper deals with the stance of our schools and government on prayer in school. In this paper I will show how our government is hypocritical in its dealings of the prayer in school issue and how some of us as citizens are hypocritical as well. I will discuss the freedom of religion rights and how its interpretation affects prayer in school. Also, I will address the popular phrase, “separation of church and state”, that is often used to argue against prayer in school.

    Read More

  • Quartering in the Colonies

    1311 Words  | 3 Pages

    "POSTSCRIPT to the Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 2075. BOSTON, September 15." Town Meeting. Boston: The Pennsylvania Gazette, September 1768.

    Read More

  • No Prayer in Public Schools

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    * Longley, Robert.  "Public Schools Don't Have a Prayer."  U.S. Gov Info/Resources n.d.  15 Nov. 2001 .

    Read More

  • Against the Prohibition of Posting the Ten Commandments in Public Schools

    983 Words  | 2 Pages

    Education Week talks about the freedom and practice of religion stated in the United States Constitution and how the government has altered that in their article, “Religion in Schools”. They touch base on how “under God” was taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance and elaborate how students can participate in religious clubs outside of school because of the placement of the federal Equal Access Act of 1984.

    Read More

  • Malcolm X: A Great Leader

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    Malcolm X was not only a very powerful humans right activist but we was also a great leader. He was an activist and a voice for the Black Muslim religion. Malcolm x fought hard in what he believed and and was a great leader for his people until the person who he looked up to had changed and he lost his relationship with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X later created his own religious organization the Muslim Mosque , Inc. He had a message for all of the people not just a certain race. People of the Muslim religion didn't like the fact that he had changed and made his own religious group and had heard from the FBI people were trying to assassinate him. The first time they were unlucky when his house in New York was bomb firebombed. On February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was sadly assassinated at a speaking engagement in the Manhattan

    Read More

  • Nelson Mandela: A Fight to End Apartheid

    610 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...a stood for change throughout his whole life, no matter what hardships he encountered. Mandela continued to help the world after his presidency through humanitarian causes by creating the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which focused on rural development, school building and battling HIV/AIDS. Mandela has become widely known as the “father of the nation” in South Africa, where many regard him as a national hero. Nelson Mandela has also been called one of the greatest humans of the past century.

    Read More

  • School Prayer: A Historical Analysis of Church-State Relations in Public Schools

    1808 Words  | 4 Pages

    In 1962 the Supreme Court outlawed school-mandated prayer in public schools, ruling that it was unconstitutional ("School Prayer”). The next year, it banned non compulsory religious readings. Over the next 30 years, the Court would continue to protect American students from the establishment of religion in public schools while protecting the equality of all beliefs. But in 2000 when Atheist Dr. Michael Newdow filed against the Broward County school board for the use of the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, stating that it encroached on his daughter’s right to be free from religious coercion from the government, local courts decided to deny to view the case. Newdow appealed and the case eventually got to the Supreme Court who, instead of serving its intended purpose

    Read More

  • Legacy of Nelson Mandela: South Africa's Liberator

    1819 Words  | 4 Pages

    He fought for what he believed in, he was tenacious in doing so, and he stood up for true equality for all. Mandela is a man that I believe our current politics could learn a lot from. Our nation is so divided right now, that we need people like him to rise up and show the world that you can hold fast to your beliefs without ostracizing those around you.

    Read More

  • Prayer in Schools

    1212 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many different philosophies regarding prayer in public school. It seems to be a difficult issue to decide upon. The opinions are wide-ranging and convoluted. This paper will attempt to highlight the many ideas and opinions as to whether prayers in public school should be allowed and to what extent. It will further show how our founders' idea of a separate church and state has been taken out of context and why prayer in school should be allowed, but not required.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: Religion and School Prayer in Public School

    579 Words  | 2 Pages

    Those in favor of prayer in school pose several arguments.  They say it will increase tolerance in schools, as children learn of different religions and how they practice.  Many feel it will bring to surface the personal questions kids have about god and religion and allow them to search for their own belief system.  The most common however is the argument that bringing prayer back to schools will help reverse the moral degragation of this country.  As the Reverend Jeffery L. Osgood, pastor of the First southern Baptist Church in Dover wrote, "Back in 1962, when prayer was removed by the Supreme Court, something happened to America's soul and America's schools.  Our nation became increasingly secular and less tolerant of moral standards and values.  Since America became to proud to pray to the God of Heaven who created us, we have been reaping the rewards.  Crime is way up.  The family has broken up.  The test scores of students have taken a submarine dive.  Its time for a change!"

    Read More

  • Nelson Mandela Biography

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    All in all, Nelson Mandela was a great leader who, through all the hardships, was able to change the ways of his country for the better. He did not lose hope after the imprisonment. Instead, he chose to defy the government more by rejecting their proposals of freedom.

    Read More

  • Nelson Mandela Biography

    1128 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nelson Mandela was a warrior throughout his life. He was a leader in the changing of the South African government, a political prisoner for twenty – seven years, and toward the last parts of his life he became the president of South Africa.

    Read More

  • Biography of Nelson Mandela

    1350 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... able to help his people in South Africa. Mandela is well known in his country as a hero for his courage to stand for what he believed in and endured years in prison to help his country towards freedom. Nelson Mandela accepted the challenge for freedom which was worth having and went for the greater good of his people. Nelson Mandela unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Penny Johnson).

    Read More

  • Prayer Should Not be Allowed in Public Schools

    1052 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gaylor, Annie Laurie. The Case Against School Prayer. “Keep the Church and State Forever Separate.” Madison, Wisconsin: Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., 1995. ( www.ffrf.org/pray.html )

    Read More

More about To Pray or Not to Pray

Open Document