Should the two mesh? Now, I assume that there has been a post about this before but I'm bringing it up again because Iowa officials are attempting to put praying and all that jazz back into school.[link here] Of course this is only beneficial to those who are christian. Technically we can go "all legal" on them and mention the constitution, 14th amendment, bill of rights, free exercise clause, and establishment clause, but then again they only go so far because, as the link mentions, the air force can deny an orthodox Jew the right to wear a skull cap and the gov. can let private companies cut down any trees or build roads in forests that Native Americans use for religious purposes, even if it's on burial grounds, but, I digress. Do you believe religion and praying should make a come back? Why or why not?

Personally, I think not. If students want to start their own club dedicated to their religion, go right ahead, but the whole school shouldn't force every student to do something they don't believe in doing. And Madalyn Murray O'Hair would roll over in her grave if we brought prayer back into schools. She would probably raise from the dead and fight it all over again xD.

Anyways, what do you believe?

first off schools cant force you to pray or practice a religion its there to benefit thouse who do practice aand for those who are curious.

secondly the constitution also states that anyone from the gov. cannot deny anyone their religion or deny anyone because of their religion. they may be able to deny a jew from wearing their caps but they must allow them toparticipate in anything else as long as it doesnt interefere with the gov.

third school systems and states all over the country are already breaking the bill of rights by denying students and people their religion and free speech. ex. Alaska forbids pray in school and no one is allowed to say christmas since it has the word christ in it they now say x-mas. florida has banned prayer as well and are currently trying to get rid of the ten commandments statue on they're courthouses.
Teachers, surgeons, etc. are getting fired and blacklisted not for mentioning creationism but barely mentioning intellegent design in a speech or paper. Madalyn can just keep on rolling cause this is unfair to everyone in this country which values itself on its morals, codes, and "freedom". when the gov. is breaking its own laws and regulations to do this to its citizens that isnt fair or giving us our freedoms.

Are we suggesting a school that would force students into athiest beliefs?

What about an atheist school. That would be neat.

It depends just how much 'forcing' is happening. Of course, if the school was a Christian school, then of course you should pray and whatnot, and the non-believers can sit there learning how to be reverent. However, at public schools the amount of praying should be minimized. We should all learn how to be respectful, but what about the teachers? If a teacher is very strong in their beliefs, that aren't Christian beliefs, then they shouldn't be forced to pray. A lot of the time, praying in this manner totally loses it's meaning.

However, I strongly support that we should all learn about religions, and not just Christianity. Like wolfie said, "Everyone should study religion, religiously, so that way we can be informed."

I think wolfie summed this up - only 6 hours in a school day, why subtract time for a sectarian activity that can be done much better under the supervision of parents or religious leaders outside of school? Prayer has no business in public school. Obviously, bigger political issues at the core, but I'm talked out on the subject.

But what about the Pledge of Allegiance? I would like to see that go. Anybody? I'm curious.

I can't help but to wonder just how much "forcing" is going on. Some make it seem as though school was some sort of propaganda camp. My school had a time for prayer that they called "A moment of silence" -as wolfie suggested- . Even still, many students opted not to be silent, although they seldom did anyway.

However, there was no "forcing".

Perhaps someone whose stance is against this idea could help clarify, exactly what and how is religion being forced if prayer is allowed in school?

Okay, we'll have Christian prayer in schools. As well as jewish, muslim, taoist and all other religions. They each get their own time and it will interrupt everyone else's learning experience. There problem solved.

Yeah, it wouldn't hurt you to learn more about religion. You are absolutely and utterly correct. Everyone should study religion, religiously, so that way we can be informed.

Personally i think its a good idea. If certian students dont want to pray you dont have to just bow your head in respect for the others and just think about something like what your going to do after school for example. the list could go on and on of what you could think of, just be respectful.

It wouldnt hurt to learn more about religion either at least you could learn a little and try to think up something about religion being wrong and have a few good reasons.

why does it have to be 'prayer.' why not just a 'moment of silence.'

I never understood why we need to pray in school anyways.... Only there 6 hours a day for 5 days... Don't they have enough time to pray on their own? I mean, it's not like the christian religion has a requirement to pray 5 times a day at certain times, like other religions have to.