Prayer in School

[JSojourner]

?

[afleitch]

While not a big issue over here I believe in the freedom for private prayer and reflection but not for organised or led prayer outwith a religious setting.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I feel that there should not be any mandatory prayor in public schools.

[JSojourner]

I feel that there should not be any mandatory prayor in public schools.

Mandatory is the tricky word.  Fundamentalists say they don't want mandatory prayer either.  But they do want there to be a prayer said by a teacher or an administrator.  Or invite local clergy in to lead it.  But it wouldn't be mandatory -- any kid who wanted to could "opt out".

Yeah, that would work...  @@

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I feel that there should not be any mandatory prayor in public schools.

Mandatory is the tricky word.  Fundamentalists say they don't want mandatory prayer either.  But they do want there to be a prayer said by a teacher or an administrator.  Or invite local clergy in to lead it.  But it wouldn't be mandatory -- any kid who wanted to could "opt out".

Yeah, that would work...  @@

I don't want there to be school wide prayor, including prayor led by a clergyman, teacher, etc.  If some kid wants to say a quiet prayor, fine, but nothing more.

[JSojourner]

I feel that there should not be any mandatory prayor in public schools.

Mandatory is the tricky word.  Fundamentalists say they don't want mandatory prayer either.  But they do want there to be a prayer said by a teacher or an administrator.  Or invite local clergy in to lead it.  But it wouldn't be mandatory -- any kid who wanted to could "opt out".

Yeah, that would work...  @@

I don't want there to be school wide prayor, including prayor led by a clergyman, teacher, etc.  If some kid wants to say a quiet prayor, fine, but nothing more.

The kids can pray all they want.  I know I did!  I just don't want government or agents of government leading or inducing it.  (And if they do pray, it can't interrupt class time, lectures or etc.)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I feel that there should not be any mandatory prayor in public schools.

Mandatory is the tricky word.  Fundamentalists say they don't want mandatory prayer either.  But they do want there to be a prayer said by a teacher or an administrator.  Or invite local clergy in to lead it.  But it wouldn't be mandatory -- any kid who wanted to could "opt out".

Yeah, that would work...  @@

I don't want there to be school wide prayor, including prayor led by a clergyman, teacher, etc.  If some kid wants to say a quiet prayor, fine, but nothing more.

The kids can pray all they want.  I know I did!  I just don't want government or agents of government leading or inducing it.  (And if they do pray, it can't interrupt class time, lectures or etc.)

I think that is what I said, just better phrased.

[memphis]

I remember when I was a kid we had a moment of silence. None of us knew what the purpose of it was, so it seemed really strange. Of course, the teachers wouldn't suggest prayer b/c that wouldn't be appropriate, so it was just an awkward pause.

[Hash]

No prayers or religious education in public schools. Public education should remain 100% secular.

I don't care what private schools choose to do.

[DC Al Fine]

If it's a private school I'd want the Protestant Lord's Prayer to be said. In public school it shouldn't be part of the program.

[DemPGH]

I certainly do not support organized prayer in school because 1) it does not have anything to do with school (like the Pledge and like the national anthem at football games) and 2) because of the Constitution, but beyond the Rosary and the Lord's Prayer, I've not heard of those and I don't know how to pronounce them! The Glosso-what? Have to look those up out of curiosity.

[DC Al Fine]

I certainly do not support organized prayer in school because 1) it does not have anything to do with school (like the Pledge and like the national anthem at football games) and 2) because of the Constitution, but beyond the Rosary and the Lord's Prayer, I've not heard of those and I don't know how to pronounce them! The Glosso-what? Have to look those up out of curiosity.

Glossalia is speaking in tongues.

[DemPGH]

I certainly do not support organized prayer in school because 1) it does not have anything to do with school (like the Pledge and like the national anthem at football games) and 2) because of the Constitution, but beyond the Rosary and the Lord's Prayer, I've not heard of those and I don't know how to pronounce them! The Glosso-what? Have to look those up out of curiosity.

Glossalia is speaking in tongues.

Didn't know that! Thanks. So yeah, I suppose that since school is for scholastic things I'd be in favor of leaving that one out.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I believe there should be a voluntary moment of silence where individual, private prayer would be allowed but not required.

[McGovern]

I believe there should be a voluntary moment of silence where individual, private prayer would be allowed but not required.

Agreed.

[Knives]

I believe there should be a voluntary moment of silence where individual, private prayer would be allowed but not required.

Why, it's just a stupid distraction. If a kid wants to pray he has 18 hours a day, you're only at school for 6 hours, it's not like you're there all day.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I believe there should be a voluntary moment of silence where individual, private prayer would be allowed but not required.

Why, it's just a stupid distraction. If a kid wants to pray he has 18 hours a day, you're only at school for 6 hours, it's not like you're there all day.

It just seems like it.   (Altho, what sorta school lasts only 6 hours? If anything, the school day has gotten longer around here since I was in grade school, and it was close to 7 hours then, not counting the time on the school bus.

[Knives]

I'm talking about time spent in class which is about 5 hours then 1 hour for lunch, sure pray during lunch and on the bus but don't waste those precious 5 hours that we all know American kids in public schools desperately need.

[homelycooking]

I don't know why a specified time for prayer is needed. As a youth minister in my former church was fond of saying, "God has a 24-hour tech support line open".

[kobidobidog]

The bible KJV says to pray continually with out ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17: King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Pray without ceasing.   If prayer is not be allowed in schools knowing this no one should be allowed to go to school who prays like Jesus wants us to pray.  Prayer is a state of mind connecting you to the holy spirit to be like Jesus is. When you pray traditionally don't let anyone know you are praying.

[Free Speech Enjoyer]

I believe there should be a voluntary moment of silence where individual, private prayer would be allowed but not required.

For what is perhaps the first time ever, I agree with Oldiesfreak.

From my experience, homeroom is long enough for if someone wants to get a prayer in, anyway.

[politicallefty]

I voted for the last option as I am a supporter of Engel v. Vitale and its progeny.

[fezzyfestoon]

Why does there even need to be a coordinated school effort for kids to pray? Just pray by your own damn self. There shouldn't be time set aside, there shouldn't be after-school religious services, there shouldn't be the reciting of a prayer. This is such an obnoxiously outdated issue that people unnecessarily bend to compromise on. I know this is for supporters, but I have to at least try to ruin everything for Christians, it's in the contract I signed with Satan.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I support a voluntary moment of silence where students could pray if they wanted to.

[fezzyfestoon]

I support a voluntary moment of silence where students could pray if they wanted to.

Right...and like I said..."Why does there even need to be a coordinated school effort for kids to pray? Just pray by your own damn self."