Teacher led school prayer

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See [[America is a Christian nation]].
See [[America is a Christian nation]].
[[Category:Separation of church and state]]
[[Category:Separation of church and state]]

Revision as of 04:26, 19 April 2008

Prior to 1962-63 in America, public schools would generally open with a prayer which would be led by the teacher. For example, schools in New York sometimes opened with the prayer: "Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country." Obviously this would be offensive to atheists, since they do not depend on God, nor do they want its blessings.

Even after 1963, when mandatory school prayer was ruled unconstitutional, it has continued to be an issue.

Arguments against school prayer

  1. School prayer is unconstitutional. The first amendment states that government shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion. Public schools are funded by the government, so if prayer is part of the schools schedule it's the same as being required by the government.
  3. It's unnecessary. Students are perfectly capable of worshiping god elsewhere. They can pray at home or at church, plus students are still allowed to pray at school all they want. They can even read the bible at school and pray by themselves as long as they don't force anyone else to, so there is no reason to make it part of the formal schedule.

Arguments for school prayer


Counter Arguments


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