Religion and School Prayer in Public Schools Essays

Americas founders envisioned a nation whose government would allow for freedoms and rights to be guaranteed to its citizens. The desire for religious freedom was prominent, sine it was not a right granted to the early colonists living under Briti sh rule. Because Englands government forced all of its citizens to learn and practice the same religion, Americas first legislators made certain that government intervention in religious matters was prohibited. Therefore, religious freedom was ensured in the First Amendment to the Constitution, as it states, Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . (Whitehead, Rights 49). This statement allowed†¦show more content†¦Numerous state governments displayed favoritism and partiality towards different religions in the form of lonas and support. Therefore to further ensure that religion was independent of the government, a more precise interpretation of th e first amendment was enacted. By completely making religion and the state unconnected, the new understanding became known as the separation of church and state. Secularism, the term used to define the separation of church and state, has become an increasingly debatable issue, especially when dealing with the role of prayer in public schools. The antagonists argue that the total separation of church and st ate is extreme and that the writers of the Constitution would have allowed for more religious involvement in the schools (Whitehead, Freedom 5). Not only is the antagonist group comprised of common citizens, but government officials as well. For example, former Chief Justice Warren Burger explained in 1984, The constitution does not require complete separation of church and state; it affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance of all religions, and forbids hostility toward an y (Whitehead, Rights 49). On the same note, the Northwest ordinance, passed by the same congress that ratified the Consitution, stated that religion, morality and knowledge being necessary toShow MoreRelated No Religion or School Prayer in Pu blic Schools Essay3018 Words   |  13 PagesConstitution was adopted, the separation of church and state issue focused on preventing a government mandated religion (Davis 245). The framers of the Constitution knew first hand the harmful consequences of a government that has complete control over religion. Protecting the religious freedoms of the various religions seeking refuge in America also raised great concern. Each religion s hould be given the same rights when practicing their beliefs. For these reasons, the First Amendment of hteRead More Religion and Prayer in Public Schools Essay1469 Words   |  6 PagesReligion in Public Schools    The practice of religion has been a major factor in American culture for centuries. The religion clause of the First Amendment, which states Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, was developed to preserve the freedom of religion (Haynes 2). The religion clause was designed to protect religion from the control of the government, but, consequently, it restricts the expression of religionRead More Religion and Prayer Must Not be Permitted in Public School Essay1823 Words   |  8 Pagesthe inability to practice a desired religion or not to practice one at all. Since the newly formed country was made up of people from more than one religious background, the government had to come up with a way to accommodate all of its citizens. Understanding the countrys diversity, the writers of the Constitution of the United States of America included in the First Amendment the words, Congress shall make no law respect ing the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise therofRead MoreThe Constitutionality of Prayer in Public Schools Essay698 Words   |  3 PagesMany people agree against prayer in public schools, while others think that people should be able to express their religion in their own ways. In public schools, they are not allowed to hold prayers at all during the school day due to the mixed religion students that are attending the school. Over the past few years, this has become an extremely controversial issue in our nation. Many people find it proper to pray in school but many people also agree that it is extremely wrong and that if thereRead MoreEssay on Prayer Should Be Allowed in Public Schools1727 Words   |  7 PagesPrayer Should Be Allowed in Public Schools School prayer is a very controversial issue in today’s society. The issue of school prayer is about whether the public school systems should let the students pray, at the start of the school day, as a class. The issue of school prayer began in the late sixteenth century when people in England did not approve of the way one religion was forced upon them, so the Puritans, known as the Pilgrims decided to come to the colonies. Even in the colonies theRead MorePrayer in Public Schools Essay1440 Words   |  6 Pages The United States has continued to be a country where religion plays a major role in the lives of American citizens. Depending on the type of school students attend, organized prayer is mandatory, allowed, or banned. In the United States, organized prayer in public schools is prohibited because it goes against the Constitution’s separation of church and state (Jinkins 123). The United States promises religious freedom, but is yet to define the degree and li mitation of that liberty. However, AmericanRead More Prevent Coercive Prayer In Public Schools Essay1392 Words   |  6 Pages Prevent Coercive Prayer in Public Schools The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America reads: quot;Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.quot; This amendment, commonly called the Establishment Clause, forms the foundation of the right of every American to practice their chosen religion freely and without the interference of the government. In 1947, the Supreme Court issued a statement emphasizingRead MorePublic Schools Should Not Be The Place For Religious Practices1601 Words   |  7 PagesOne of the many foundations of the United States as a nation was religion. When people fled their homes in search of a new place, one of the many reasons was due to religious freedom. Almost immediately conflicts arose between religions, and their belief systems. No problems seem to arise with teaching religion to children in school until the 1900 s. That is when the courts decided religious instructions in public schools would be deemed unconstitutional. Court cases started around the country withRead MoreThe Prayer On Public Schools1240 Words   |  5 PagesCentury and into the 21st, school prayer has been the focal point of an ongoing debate about the position of religion in American civilization. The question of the legality of prayer in public schools brings together a number of important notions in American gover nment and legal philosophy. Opponents and proponents of school prayer set forth their arguments in such major constitutional issues as the separation of church and state, the right to free exercise of religion, and the respective powersRead MorePrayer in School Essay example1375 Words   |  6 Pagesthough public schools today are without school prayer, most schools have replaced prayer, with a Silent moment of reflection. Also, the assumption if there is a God or not is a big question as well. I think prayer should be re-instated into schools, because children should be able to express religion freely. I also feel that lack of discipline; youth pregnancy, dropouts, and violence in schools are other issues that can be more controllable if there were religious classes and school prayer. Public