Prayer in school

[servantzero]

Hello everybody...
I'm kinda new here but I gonna post an interesting subject...
I have just finished a paper on School Prayer so I wanna know who agrees
and disagrees with it...
PS. Dont just say I agree cause I'm a christian but state your reason...

[beau99]

I have no opinion.

When I was in high school (not too long ago), it was allowed on your own free time, like during lunch or whatever.

I personally never did it though. If you want to, go ahead. It's no big deal to me.

[RedMage]

Unfortunately, such a discussion would probably quickly turn rather political, and we try to avoid political debates here.

I'm sure some people here would be interested in reading your paper and offering their thoughts off the board, though.

[KhakiBlueSocks]

First off, welcome to the forums! You've chosen an interesting way to make your debut--you jumped right into it instead of introducing yourself! Coolness!

Anyway, when I was in high school, we had a "Moment of silent meditation" but nobody actually prayed with us in school.

We did have a club called "Fellowship of Christian Students" which was sponsered by a church in our neighborhood. They would come once a week and pray with us during our lunch shifts and we would have a youth paster talk to us about different things. Kinda like chibi-Sunday school.

But, I digress....as usual...

I think that schools should offer kids the chance to pray with a moment of silence in the mornings. As far as teachers praying with their students, unless none of the parents have a problem with it, I think it's a cool idea. Some kids in these classrooms need the prayer and to see that God loves them and forgives them for their sins.

Once again, welcome to the forums and I hope you have a great time!

[servantzero]

Thanks for posting replies!!!
You guys(and girls)are all very nice!!!
PS. I'm in college by the way-LOL
I'm an early grad.

[Artist4Jesus89]

I totally agree ... my friend amber acctually got prayer back in her middle school because God had told her to and so many ppl on the staff are Christians and on the board so during the time where its supposed to be the moment of silence they pray instead all those that want to anyways!

[servantzero]

Thats good...
Hey my myspace is http://www.myspace.com/servantzero so if anyone wants to add me as a friend feel free to do so!!!

[KhakiBlueSocks]

You guys(and girls)are all very nice!!!

Awww, thanks! We're also all completely insane too, so a good rule of thumb is to never go into the Goof Off boards alone...or if you must go in alone, carry a pointy stick!

I totally agree ... my friend amber acctually got prayer back in her middle school because God had told her to and so many ppl on the staff are Christians and on the board so during the time where its supposed to be the moment of silence they pray instead all those that want to anyways

That's so cool! And in a way, that's how it should be. Don't push people into it, but just know that it's there if you want to join in -- Seek and ye shall find.

[Debitt]

I think that a mandated "quiet time" would be superfluous in public schools. It's our own personal responsibility to seek out time with Him, and taking class time out to spoon feed us strikes me as silly. We as Christians are still allowed to pray in schools, just not under the mandate of a teacher, and I think that that's enough. :3

[Needle Noggin]

Legally there is no "agreeing/disagreeing". You are allowed to pray, as long as it doesn't interfere with the learning enviroment. The school cannot and should not force people to pray, however.

[Puguni]

I feel there is no point in prayer in schools. Teens' auto-reaction is to resist authority, to be frank. It's much better for everyone to come willingly and freely to God.

[Puritan]

Mmm. Well, I agree with Puguni (and a number of others). I have no problem with letting people pray privately in school, but honestly see no reason to set aside time for it, and I in no way want it enforced. Setting aside time for it is pretty popular, but I'm of the opinion that people who want to pray will make the time, and I see no reason to set aside time for those who don't to sit around looking at those who do with blank stares. I understand Brother Lawrence in "Practicing the Presence of God" (a book I have admittedly not read, though I want to and I have heard alot about it) promoted the idea of praying through one's work, and the idea of ones vocation being one's work, and using that work to the greater glory of God, was a big one during the reformation as well. I'd much rather people learn that skill than to try to institute prayer in schools.

[USSRGirl]

Agreed with Puguni and... *GAH*...Puritan... *MAN THAT HURT!!*

people who want to pray will make the time, and I see no reason to set aside time for those who don't to sit around looking at those who do with blank stares.

That about sums it up in my opinion. People should neither be forced to prayer or prohibited from praying in school. Making prayer a forced government thing is a bad idea. Another idea to consider when talking about studying the Bible in schools or praying in schools... the person instruction the class may NOT be a Christian. Especially with teaching the Bible in school, you may end up with a liberal atheist with an axe to grind who will subtlely present the Bible as 'any other mythical story.' Christians (me included for awhile... now not so sure) are all jumping on the bandwagon to have the Bible taught in school, but it could also be a good way for atheists to slip in propaganda and ideas that aren't there to kids who will take it as fact. I think it's best if schools don't get involved in student's religious lives.

[Doubleshadow]

I also agree it should not be restricted, but a set prayer is not a good idea either. Teenage rebellious attitudes is one concern, accidentally causing misunderstandings about who Christ is or what Christianity is is another. It shouldn't look like simply another institution promoted by a given worldly authority, and prayer like that might lead people to believe Jesus is a scam to get them to stay in line.
And the other big concern, pray how? A teacher of mine did this to us when we said we should pray in school and the teachers should be allowed to lead.

"Oh, really? I'll start- Hail Mary full of grace..."

*dead silence* (classroom full of Protestants)

Also, the year of 9/11, one of the Hindu students came out to pray during an optional pray service and said later he had wanted to offer a prayer out loud to Vishnu, though he didn't because he was worried about how people might react.

[Sparrowhawk]

Hello, Welcome to the Forums!
I'm also in college and secondary educations is my minor so this hits close to home. Needle Noggin is right that as long as it "doesn't interfere with the learning environment" it's alright. Sadly, you have some people who take that a little too far.

Some schools won't even allow students to get together after school for prayer meetings and stuff on school grounds, even though they seek to do it in a non-disruptive manner. It all depends on people's interpretation of disrupting. If you are in the Bible Belt (where I attend college), prayer is easily found and discussed in public schools, especially small towns. However, in other areas, it is wiser (if you want to avoid trouble) to just not bring up the idea at all. Some schools have been sued for observing a moment of silence.

I, as an American, understand not allowing vocal prayer in the classroom as part of not showing favoritism to any religion (though I'm a Christian first and foremost so I wish it could be done), but then you have people paranoid of religion that won't even allow for the opportunity to pray. That is where i think the line is crossed. That I believe crosses Christians' American right to worship God as they see fit.

So, after all that (this post is a good deal longer than i meant it to be) I agree with Needle Noggin that students should not be forced to pray, but I also do not think students should be kept from praying

[Joshua Christopher]

I think they should have Mummification classes in school.

For when the weaker students die.

[Evangeline-San]

I pray all the time during school. it really helps me with certain subjects. lol
Of course I'm homeschooled so only the only people who bother me are my brothers distracting me. hehe

[jadestinger]

I don't think political allowance of prayer should be a problem. The Bible tells us to maintain constant communication with God, and we don't need one set time for us to pray; rather, always be talking with God. They can't stop you from doing that.

[servantzero]

Once again I thank everybody for thier views
The reason I asked was inorder to see the views of diffrent people on this fourm cuz like all of u I have my opinion and I agree basicly with everyone...
except the mummfication thing...LOL
Thanks again