In light of the Supreme Court's 1962 decision banning prayer in public schools, certain school prayer advocates are even calling for a constitutional amendment that would allow some form of worship amid public education. Opponents disagree stating that no empirical evidence exists that such prayer produces better people or a better country. In fact, for the century or so that prayer was recited in public schools, the nation countenanced slavery, segregation, child labor, and the oppression of women. Prayer seemed to have no influence on the country's moral tone and behavior. Yet, amidst the incidences of school violence and school delinquency the proponents of allowing school prayers state that the argument should not be over a law to allow prayer in schools, but for an amendment to make sure that kids are in school to even recite the prayer. In New York City there are 150,000 absentees each day. There are additional tens of thousands of young people who are not even listed as dropouts. The only time their names appear anywhere is on a police blotter.
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Bill Reel's column "Prayer Might Be Answer to School Violence" [March 7] is simplistic, although he does address an issue that demands attention. But he is on the right track when he refers to the many negative influences in the media and the entertainment industry that seem to endorse, glorify and overstate the individual's right to respond, by violent means, to what he feels oppresses him. If a prayer could help just one child to feel that he is loved and respected, it would be more than worth it. Giving our children a chance-prayer can't hurt and it's certainly better than using anger and weapons as an outlet for pain.
Public schools need help. They need prayers. They need the support of our communities' religious institutions. Students should not be discouraged from developing their spirituality, which is as important to the maintenance of civilized society as scholarship is. The debate that in a multicultural environment the schools would have a hard time knowing how to pray and according to which religion. That’s really not a tough issue. Taking the most common prayers and creating a new one that does not focus on any religion would be easy. Giving thanks for the blessings one has or simply a small sermon that teaches students those values of life should be relatively easy. This is not about religion its about values and all religions preach, honesty, peace, respect and happiness so there should be no problem.
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papers on Separation of church and state, Moment of silence, or Madalyn Murray O'Hair
References
- Bill Reel Can Prayer Help Stem the Tide of School Violence?. , Newsday, 03-7-2001
- Julie Elliott / Staff Writer of the Arlington Morning News, AISD pleased with student prayer policy: Debate on issue continues around state. , The Arlington Morning News, 08-27-1999, pp 1A.
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