Preacing Prayer Essay, Research Paper

Preaching Prayer

The topic of prayer in schools is a contradicting subject. Many people argue their opinions about it: either for prayer or against it. The people making the decisions should consider all of the pros and cons for each side. The action of prayer in schools should be motivated to result in a better outcome for everyone. The people for it insist that prayer should be included in school activity because it is a part of life that surrounds everyone, the majority of the students support it, and it is already taught in school literature. The people against it claim that it is not appropriate for people to worship their god when not all people believe in the same one.

Prayer is an everyday thing that surrounds many people in society. It is a part of life that will always be there. ?In the United States there are over 350,000 churches, mosques, chapels, temples, and many other ?houses of worship.? This does not include the many ?week and congregations? that gather in rented halls, hotel rooms or even private homes [?]. There are over 10,000 student religious or Bible study groups now operating in public schools? (Johnson). Prayer seems to be everywhere. ?Approximately 10% of the American population describe themselves as Atheists, Agnostics, freethinkers, or other such appellation? (Johnson). A person can fight with 90% of this country or join them. Parents cannot control drug, smoking, or alcohol abuse. They do not want the influence of these things around their children, but they are anyway. Children have to learn to fight for themselves and decide on their own.

Prayer in schools is highly supported by the majority of the student body. In December 1998, students voted overwhelmingly to have student led prayer. When the votes were rejected, hundreds of students in the highly religious community held vigils and staged walkouts in protest (?Education?). A student athlete shares, ?Turning to God helps me perform at new, better levels. This is not just thinking of God, but actually understanding clearly the fact that I am the very expression of God? (?Does Prayer??). Another student says, ?I realized that all of us kids were safe with God, whether we were at home or at school. Or anywhere. God was here, taking care of us, and nothing could disrupt or interfere with Him? (?A Second??). Students, including athletes, enjoy being with God in school activities. They feel that he helps them cope with everyday events. ?God is infinite. And God is good. Grace, speed, agility, coordination, and all the other qualities athletes work at developing are natural for us all to express, because we are each God?s expression? (?Does Prayer??). In Jackson, Mississippi, the local superintendent was the target of gunfire because he suspended a principal for allowing Christian prayers to be read over the school?s public address system (?FAQ?s??). Students are for prayer, and they will fight until they cannot fight any longer.

School systems spread throughout the United States contain curriculum that involves the teaching of preaching. ?Teachers are not allowed to speak of the bible on their own, or share bible stories; but the government requires them to teach about the religouns of other nations and beliefs of the past? (?Students May Read??). A teacher learned about prayer and watched as it helped her rescue a student. ?Prayer gave me the freedom to diverge from the lesson plan and so draw from the young man his ideas and observations? (?School Prayer?). Students and teachers across the country violate the First Amendment simply because of the fact that they believe that they have a right to pray. Eleventh grade English literature contains the teachings of the Puritans and Romantics and it speaks of their beliefs, along with their background of religion. If people are not even allowed to share their own beliefs, then it is not right to teach the beliefs of other religions either.

Every holiday season, children in most of the world celebrate the joy of Christmas. They decorate cedar trees, hang stockings, leave cookies out for ?Jolly Old Saint Nick,? and they ask Santa for special toys on their wish list. Schools allow children to have Christmas parties and do all of these things. The only thing they do not share with the children is the true meaning of the holiday. This same thing happens during April when children celebrate Easter and the Easter Bunny. Schools are supposed to teach children about important events. While they do, in fact, do this, they are teaching the children the wrong meaning of the holidays. It is all right for children to enjoy these holidays with the made-up characters and activities, but they should also learn the true meanings of them along with the celebration. People celebrate these holidays and want things, but they are too god to pray and be thankful. ?These have become secular customs? (?Is It OK to Celebrate??). Without the Lord, there would not be a Christmas or Easter.

People reserve the right to share their religion anytime that they please. They are protected with the First Amendment. ?This amendment is under the Bill of Rights to provide basic legal protection for individual rights? (?The Bill of Rights?). The First Amendment states, ?Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances? (?The Bill of Rights?). This bill backs up the citizens of the United States from being deprived of the freedom of religion and speech. ?The government can not penalize you because of your religious beliefs? (?Religious Freedom?). The EAA permits students to create religious clubs under the ?free speech rights.? There is freedom of speech for all people. Atheist?s children can speak-out as quickly as Christian ones can. They can share their beliefs and voice their unloving opinions towards God. There is not a law forbidding Atheists to preach their beliefs, so why should there be one for Christians? Everyone is created equal with the freedom of speech and religion. Homosexuals and different races are not banned from schools; Christians should be treated the same.

Some people may argue that prayer in schools is not beneficial, but they are wrong. School prayer is an chance to get others involved and share the glorious meaning of Jesus. It pulls people together in the community and helps make peoples? lives more satisfying. The fulfillment of prayer for people results in good. ?It is logical that more prayers are being offered in support of our children and their schools. Not only are the children benefited when people turn to God on their behalf; the body politic is elevated as well? (?School Prayer?). Student athletes express that they believe in prayer to help them meet no obstacles. They do not pray to put down another one of God?s people. ?There is no reason God would hold back ability or love from anyone, and when we pray to prove that, we can be victorious over limitations of any kind? (?Does prayer help??). People are wrong when they say that prayer is bad for schools. It is something needed by the people of society. ??God being everywhere and all-inclusive, how can He be absent or suggest the absence of omnipresence and omnipotence? How can there be more than all?? This is an implication that simply God cannot be absent, and that there truly cannot be more that God?s power!? (?A Second??). Individuals can pick and choose to believe as they please, but it is there for those who want to play a part.

There are not many people out in the world that do not believe in prayer and a god, but this small population is the thing that is holding everything up. They simply claim that because not all people worship the same god, it would not be appropriate for prayer inside the school system.

Prayer is a contradicting subject between many individuals. Some are for it, and others will do anything that they can to restrict it from the constitution. The majority of students, teachers and parents believe prayer should be involved in the lives of students. Prayer brings fulfillment along with sacrifices that have to be made. Freedom of religion and speech, belief in celebrations of Jesus, religion in school lessons, student support, and the fact that prayer is a part of life that surrounds everyone are all reasons that prayer should be in the public schools. ?There is now an ?opportunity to be taught of God?? (?School Prayer?). Prayer could provide a better atmosphere that leads to a more successful future of our young. Today?s children are our future.

Johnson, Ellen. ?Unconstitutional Religious Expression in the Public Schools.? Schoolhouse American Atheists. 21 August 1998.

.

Hanson, Cynthia and Abraham McLaughlin. ?Students May Read Bibles and Distribute Religious Literature.? Christian Science Monitor. 87. 191 (28 August 1995): 92. Available EBSCOhost.

?A Second-Grader?s Prayer.? Christian Science Monitor. 91. 122 (20 May 1999): 23. Available EBSCOhost.

?Bill of Rights.? Grolier Online. 1991.

?Does Prayer Help in Sports?? Christian Science Monitor. 89.247 (November 1997): 17. Available EBSCOhost.

?Education.? World News Digest. (December 1993): 954G2. Available EBSCOhost.

?FAQ?s About Prayer in Schools.? Schoolhouse. American Atheists. 1996.

?Is It OK To Celebrate Religious Holidays in Public Schools?? ACLU Department of Education. March 1999.

?Religious Freedom.? 29 November 1999. .

?School Prayer.? Christian Science Monitor. 91.219 (7 October 1999): 23. Today?s Article on Christian Science. 16 November 1999. . Available EBSCOhost.

?The Bill of Rights.? Thomas Historical Documents. Cybercasting Services Division of the National Public Telecommuting Network. 16 October 1996.