School Prayer

Introduction

Every Christian has experienced some type of persecution. We have all gone through trials that perhaps seemed unfair or cruel. Sometimes they are even put upon us by those who love us the most. However, one of the most prominent controversies in America involves persecution from those who should be giving us guidance and wisdom. I am speaking of course about our public school teachers. For years the problem has been whether or not to allow the practice of religion in the public school system.

Support from Constitution

“Indeed, it can be said that historically this country was the testing ground of religious liberty, which is now universally accepted as a basic human right.”1 Religious liberty is protected in the First Amendment of the Constitution when it says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting exercise thereof…” From the viewpoint of our forefathers who created the Constitution, religion was something that should be willfully practiced but not forced upon citizens. Also, in the First Amendment is the Free Exercise Clause which states that:

“The free exercise of religion means, first and foremost, the right to believe and profess whatever religious doctrine one desires…The government may not compel affirmation of religious belief…or lend its power to one or the other side in controversies over religious authority or dogma.”

This assures that the government will not become partial to a certain religion. Their stance must remain completely unbiased and mutual when regarding faith and religious practices. The problem with this is that it is hard to know where to draw the line in school. Should students be allowed to pray? Should they be able to initiate religious extra-curricular activities? What curriculum is acceptable to teach in the classroom?

Public Prayer

A law was passed banning prayer in school if it is conducted by school authority. However, it is accepted if a student is to initiate it. This causes controversy because it is difficult to know when a prayer can become offensive. By most, prayer is seen as traditional and harmless. Others find it as a personal action that should be practiced on a spiritual level if desired and if they have a personal relationship with God. Without this relationship, prayer would have no meaning and therefore be a waste of time. “Perhaps more than any other institution, public schools set the stage for a classic clash between the establishment clause and the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.”2 Therefore, the public school system has a very difficult time integrating these clauses due to conflicting opinions and beliefs of students and staff members. For example; if something tragic happens to a school and a Christian student wants to lead the class in prayer, non-Christian students might get offended. It is not a wise decision to force unbelievers to pray for something they don’t believe in.

When this happens, it causes conflict between different religions because it discriminates against the students with different beliefs. If one was to initiate a prayer like this, they would be assuming that all the other students in the class shared the same beliefs as they do. The Bible speaks against this judgmental attitude in James 4:11-12 when it says:

“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor?”

We as Christians should share our beliefs with others in a loving and caring way. This is why when we are in school we should pray silently or in small groups of people who we know are believers and won’t be offended. This will save us from the sin of evangelizing to make a statement for our own personal satisfaction rather than to glorify God. “Vertical prayer is private, directed upward toward heaven... Horizontal prayer must always be audible, because its purpose is not to be heard by God, but to be heard by