In recent years, teaching religion, or the individual practice of religion in school, has become a very controversial topic. There are many different views on this matter and even more opinions on how it should be handled. There are people on both sides of the spectrum; there are those who believe that it should be taught and allowed in school, and those who believe it should not be taught or practiced in school. If the practice of religion were an option in public schools, students may become more tolerant, as well as knowledgeable, of religions and cultures beyond their own. Secondly, a time interval during the day may be implemented into the school schedule to allow the practice of student’s personal beliefs. Finally, since prayer was eliminated from public school systems, the nation has seen a decrease in education and the increase in crime rate. Even though public schools today are without school prayer, most schools have replaced prayer with a "silent moment of reflection." Prayer should be established into schools, because it generates the exposure to other cultures, allows a calming period for students, and creates well-rounded individuals in society. Knowing about the beliefs and practices of people who share this world is vital to the future. In the United States, where people of many nations, faiths, and ethnicities live together, the responsibility of the citizen is to learn about one another to create a positive atmosphere. People accept civic education as a way to reinforce the practice of equity and religious freedom protected in the United States Constitution, but these principles are hollow if the people who inhabit this land do not know one another. Learning about the history, cultures, and belief systems of peo... ... middle of paper ... ...ifferent culture (other than Christianity) to practice their own beliefs, opens the mind of the younger generation to the understanding of other cultural practices. This acknowledgment, as well as the knowledge of having a diverse culture being introduced in schools, will benefit generations to come. Works Cited Douglass, Susan L. The World in the Clasroonm. "Teaching About Religion." Educational Leadership Vol. 60 (2002): 32-36 . Web. 10 April 2014. Prayer in School Affects all of Society. “Creation Today” 1 January 2014. Web. 9 April 2014. . Religion in schools. "Education Week" 4 August 2004. Web. 4 April 2014. . Smith, Hallie. MA CCC-SLP. The Benefits of Downtime: Why Learners’ Brains Need a Break. “Scientific Learning.” 13 December 2013. Web. 12 April 2014.
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Show MoreThis paper was written for my Writing 209 class. For the assignment ,Donna Marsh, asked us to find an article in a periodical that dealt with an issue in our American culture. We were then told to express our opinion on the topic discussed in the article and to analyze the argument presented in the article. I chose the topic of school prayer because I believe strongly in the separation of church and state that exists in our country. This is a controversial issue that is worthy of discussion, and hopefully my essay will provoke you in some manner whether you agree with my premise or feel that the views I express are totally invalid.
Chapter three of Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints inspired me to research today’s issues of school prayer. To understand how we got to where we are today, I first delved into our countries history of court cases pertaining to rulings on prayer in schools. Lastly, to update my audience on how our lives are being affected today, I directed my efforts toward finding current situations. By analyzing these situations, I gained knowledge for a better understanding of why society needs to be aware of these controversies. I don’t think there should be any form of organized prayer in today’s public schools.
In the early 1960s, people started to view religion in public school systems as a problem. Parents thought that their children should not be taught religion in school. Being taught religion is not the problem, forcing religion is (Boston).
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!"
Although there has been a struggle over the issue of public schools having prayer, it has been one of the most revolving debates in U.S. history. Many people in our little community have oft...
In Texas public schools, religion over the last several years has become a topic of discussion. When discussing faith and prayer in institutions, we need to consider the constitutional provisions, which intertwine within our federal and state statutes. These regulations and laws leave much room for lawsuits. In my opinion, the most salient concern about religion in schools is school prayers. Why? Because of the diversity of cultures and background within our educational institutions today.
All the school is trying to do is allow the kids to have a few minutes of prayer, so they can get through their day. Why do you think prayer should be granted in the public school systems? As i have said once before, I myself believe it should be allowed. Prayer is a meaningful thing; it may allow kids to have a much better day, do good on test, and stay out of trouble; therefore, I feel that once the people took prayer out of public schools that's when all the really bad things started happening in the world. I’m not saying that bad things weren’t already happening i'm trying to say that things seemed to have
Teachers in most schools today are expected to focus on fostering academic competence, and overlook the spiritual life of their students. Unless we teach in a private school that incorporates religion into the curriculum, it would be a challenge to include spirituality into the subject matter without violating the separation of church and state in the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Religion complicates the educational environment. Children can become distracted by the role religion plays with the teachers, instructors, and administrators. Children and young adults are extremely impressionable. They are just beginning to form their own beliefs and morals. Arthur Schopenhauer once said, "the capacity for believing is strongest in childhood, special care is taken to make s...
The necessity of prayer in school has been debated for many years. Some believe this is not necessary because prayer should be taught in religious organizations and worship areas. Schwadel states that “Thus, growth in contact with secular Americans may lead to lower levels of support for state-sponsored prayer and reading the Bible in public schools.” This quote explains one of the viewpoints on prayer and religion in schools. I will be taking the position that believes prayer should be allowed in school because freedom of religion, personal beliefs/needs, and our nation was founded on religion opposed to how most believe prayer should not be practiced in school, this forces religion on children and things are different in this nation than
Few issues in american public life bring about more controversy than religion in public education; something that never truly dies but ends up being disputed in waves (Perksy 1). At Least 90% of America's young people attend public schools but come from homes that expose a variety of religious and philosophical beliefs (“Prayer and” 1). The United States alone spends more money each year on their public school systems than any other competing country (“So what” 1). Their school systems are open to all children and allow the decision of religion to be made up at home (“Prayer and” 2). School prayer would allow a young religious person the opportunity to debate their religious beliefs during school; Such a change will highlight religious differences and similarities between students (“Pros and” 1).
As our constitution agrees that we all should be equal and have the right to practice our own beliefs so let’s all stick to it and let schools be for learning purposes. The Christian parents who wish for their children to have prayer at schools should take their kids to private Christian schools, those of Muslims to private Muslim schools and so do the Jews, Hindus and those of other
According to the Gallup Poll in 2005, it found 76% of Americans favored a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer in the public school”. It is no doubt that many school continue to sponsor prayer o...
When pupils are allowed to practice prayer at school the way they are taught at home, they are able learn about others religions and become open minded. This notion of knowing and accommodating every person’s religion is imperative to our nation’s survival. It is said that all religions should be studied in school, and David Warren, the director of education in the Anti-Defamation League, said, “Every effort should be made to obtain accurate information about different religions” (2013, p. 3). What better way to learn about religions then to discuss classmate’s different religions in an open and supportive manner? You could have a different child lead the class each day in one of their religious exercises. If a student doesn’t belong to the religion when it’s their turn they could choose to do an activity of something they do believe in. This way the teacher isn’t forcing a religion upon any of the children, but they are encouraging their students to understand that everyone is different, and that’s okay. Religion is a huge part of most people’s lives. It’s what they use to make everyday decisions, and it shapes how they see the world. If we take that away from children in school we are missing a huge opportunity to teach tolerance and
The constitution is a set of laws set by the government to protect the nation’s rights. One of those rights is the First Amendment which discusses the prohibition of an established religion and allows the free exercise of religion. Thomas Jefferson had written a letter discussing the separation of church and state, which has resulted in many debates over the limitations of religion in the public schools (Hamburger). There is research that supports both the arguments that students can benefit academically from the influence of religion and from keeping religious teachings separate from public schools.