Why Do Kids Needs To Pray In School?

[TeleKat]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

Two major sides have been conflicting and complaints have been lodged from both sides. Either:

1). The kids aren't allowed to pray.

2). The kids have to pray, or in the case of atheist/agnostic kids they get to sit around looking stupid while the rest pray during school hours when they should be learning.

Seriously, why is this even being debated? Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

 

[TheDemSocialist]

I have no problem with them praying on their own private damn in schools. But other than that I have a major problem with.

 

[Kobie]

Kids are allowed to pray in school. Legally speaking, anyway. Yes, every once in a blue moon you hear some story about school administrators supposedly stopping kids from praying; however, those stories almost always tend to be a little more complex than that, and on the rare occasions that they're not, it's simply an admin who doesn't know the law.

Faculty can't lead organized prayer, and there's a few other restrictions, but there is nothing legally stopping a kid from bowing his or her head in prayer before a meal or a test.

 

[Summerwind]

Seems you understand the issue entirely. The problem is that some are determined to force religion on the populace starting at an early age. Did you know that in some states, an atheist cannot run for office? I'll find the article, it's been a couple of years I think since I've seen it. BRB. http://americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-05-unelectable-atheists-us-states-that-prohibit-godless

 

[lizzie]

I personally don't really think that they "need" to pray in school. I suspect that what has happened is that *some* religious people have over-reacted a bit to the general declining trend of religious practice in this country over the past couple of decades, because it's a trend that bothers them. When I was in school in the 60's and 70's, we didn't pray in school. There were not prayers said at the beginning of programs, sports, speeches, pep rallies, concerts, or any other activities that I can remember. Maybe it was just specific to my own school district, but I don't recall prayer in school ever being mentioned at all.

I think that what happened is the anti-religious sector of the general population started being vociferous regarding their objection to prayer in public places, which caused a counter-reaction among religious people, when there never really was an issue in the first place, and now it's grown to the point of being something to fight about.

 

[pinqy]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

Two major sides have been conflicting and complaints have been lodged from both sides. Either:

1). The kids aren't allowed to pray.

2). The kids have to pray, or in the case of atheist/agnostic kids they get to sit around looking stupid while the rest pray during school hours when they should be learning.

Seriously, why is this even being debated? Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

No one says that kids shouldn't be allowed to pray (as long as it's not disruptive or requires anyone else to listen). The problem has always been the school telling the kid they should pray, and in the SCOTUS case, what to pray.

 

[Summerwind]

I personally don't really think that they "need" to pray in school. I suspect that what has happened is that *some* religious people have over-reacted a bit to the general declining trend of religious practice in this country over the past couple of decades, because it's a trend that bothers them. When I was in school in the 60's and 70's, we didn't pray in school. There were not prayers said at the beginning of programs, sports, speeches, pep rallies, concerts, or any other activities that I can remember. Maybe it was just specific to my own school district, but I don't recall prayer in school ever being mentioned at all.

I think that what happened is the anti-religious sector of the general population started being vociferous regarding their objection to prayer in public places, which caused a counter-reaction among religious people, when there never really was an issue in the first place, and now it's grown to the point of being something to fight about.

It was a mainstay during the same period in Texas schools. I think some people who are raised or have lived in some areas just have no idea the crap that other states force. I got booted from class often for refusing to RECITE the prayer in the morning, not sitting, but refusing to recite. Sorry even though I don't know whose experience was more normal at that time, no child should be forced to recite prayer or even have prayer at school or school functions, with the exceptions of Rites like graduation, I could see a closing prayer at something like that, though I think it should be generic or silent.

 

[MMC]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

Two major sides have been conflicting and complaints have been lodged from both sides. Either:

1). The kids aren't allowed to pray.

2). The kids have to pray, or in the case of atheist/agnostic kids they get to sit around looking stupid while the rest pray during school hours when they should be learning.

Seriously, why is this even being debated? Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

Heya TK

I would say for kids in the Inner City.....it's more than likely one of the few times where they can take that time or are given and or allowed to Pray. Especially around here in Chicago. Not much time before or after is given in the neighborhood.

Either way.....there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. Like MC Hammer says.

 

[The German]

You wont get a rational answere from those who argue for it.

Instead you will get some "moral compass" BS by the christian taliban and thats it.

 

[TeleKat]

Heya TK

I would say for kids in the Inner City.....it's more than likely one of the few times where they can take that time or are given and or allowed to Pray. Especially around here in Chicago. Not much time before or after is given in the neighborhood.

Either way.....there shouldn't be anything wrong with it. Like MC Hammer says.

There's nothing wrong with it, I'm just wondering why so many theists are making a big deal out of this. Kids have copious amounts of time to pray outside of school, why is it absolutely necessary for them to do it in school?

 

[TheDemSocialist]

Faculty can't lead organized prayer, and there's a few other restrictions, but there is nothing legally stopping a kid from bowing his or her head in prayer before a meal or a test.

And this is the way it should my IMO

 

[DashingAmerican]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

Two major sides have been conflicting and complaints have been lodged from both sides. Either:

1). The kids aren't allowed to pray.

2). The kids have to pray, or in the case of atheist/agnostic kids they get to sit around looking stupid while the rest pray during school hours when they should be learning.

Seriously, why is this even being debated? Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

It shouldn't matter about if they need to. If they want to, they should be allowed to. It's not harming anyone and it's not violating anyone's rights.

Though, for the sake of arguing, it may be their religion to pray before meals and give thanks, thus they feel the need to pray at school.

 

[MMC]

There's nothing wrong with it, I'm just wondering why so many theists are making a big deal out of this. Kids have copious amounts of time to pray outside of school, why is it absolutely necessary for them to do it in school?

More than likely they aren't having to try and make it to another day.....nor ducking bullets and drug dealers on the way home. But any can come here and try and show these kids how its done if they have a better way. Especially any and with all their talk.

 

[TeleKat]

It shouldn't matter about if they need to. If they want to, they should be allowed to. It's not harming anyone and it's not violating anyone's rights.

I agree, and I'm fine with them praying as long as it's not in the middle of class or anything. My problem more stems from the special time being allotted specifically for prayer. People get all up in arms when this special privilege isn't granted, and I was just wondering why in the world something like that is necessary.

 

[DashingAmerican]

I agree, and I'm fine with them praying as long as it's not in the middle of class or anything. My problem more stems from the special time being allotted specifically for prayer. People get all up in arms when this special privilege isn't granted, and I was just wondering why in the world something like that is necessary.

I think it probably stems from Muslims having to pray at specific times throughout the day and people probably feel that if one religion is going to be allotted time for prayer then they all should.

 

[TeleKat]

I think it probably stems from Muslims having to pray at specific times throughout the day and people probably feel that if one religion is going to be allotted time for prayer then they all should.

Maybe, I just find the whole situation ridiculous. Perhaps there are some things I'm missing or don't understand.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

Two major sides have been conflicting and complaints have been lodged from both sides. Either:

1). The kids aren't allowed to pray.

2). The kids have to pray, or in the case of atheist/agnostic kids they get to sit around looking stupid while the rest pray during school hours when they should be learning.

Seriously, why is this even being debated? Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

Wow. "Why do people need to pray?" That's just a ridiculous thing to have to ask. Why don't you?

Our country's producing a few too many anti-religious nuts, to be honest with you. There's no harm in prayer, is there? So why the foul responses to it? You don't believe in prayer then by all means: don't pray. But don't go around insisting that 'If I don't see the use for it then other people don't need it, either'.

I don't see the need for people to wear earrings or the color orange but - by god - I'm not about to form the Earring Orange Gastapo.

 

[Fiddytree]

Maybe, I just find the whole situation ridiculous. Perhaps there are some things I'm missing or don't understand.

Unless the student is intentionally doing this during moments of instruction (and whereupon there isn't really a mandate by their religion to do it at that specified time), there is no issue. Since the "need' is a spiritual need to be close to their god or gods, and it disrupts none, my notions of ridiculousness mean nothing.

 

[Robbie Loucks]

Children have the time before school, the time after school, weekends, and holidays to pray...and for whatever reason they absolutely have to do it during school when they are supposed to be learning. Is there something I'm missing?

I say this about the Pledge of Allegiance and I still get flak from both sides, ugh.

Anyway, yea, I don't see the point either.

 

[Carjosse]

There's nothing wrong with it, I'm just wondering why so many theists are making a big deal out of this. Kids have copious amounts of time to pray outside of school, why is it absolutely necessary for them to do it in school?

The only reason I can think is that some religions particularly Islam requiring praying at certain times of day.

 

[TeleKat]

Wow. "Why do people need to pray?" That's just a ridiculous thing to have to ask. Why don't you?

Our country's producing a few too many anti-religious nuts, to be honest with you. There's no harm in prayer, is there? So why the foul responses to it? You don't believe in prayer then by all means: don't pray. But don't go around insisting that 'If I don't see the use for it then other people don't need it, either'.

I don't see the need for people to wear earrings or the color orange but - by god - I'm not about to form the Earring Orange Gastapo.

You completely missed the point of this post. Please re-read and come back to me.

I'm not anti-religious in any way. I'm a Libertarian, I believe in the freedom of each individual to do as they please so long as they don't harm another individual or their property. The point of this post, as I've elaborated about ten times now, is about the special privileges being granted out to the religious. Like the extra special prayer time mandated by law is some states. I don't mind people praying, I don't even mind people praying in school, but why in the world do they need special rights to engage in an act that they have copious amounts of time after school to do so. That was the point of my post, and my question.

 

[Gardener]

I've asked this about a million times and I have never gotten a sufficient answer from anybody: Why in the world do kids need to pray at school?

?

I think it is to show how adamantly they oppose Jesus' teachings on the subject.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

You completely missed the point of this post. Please re-read and come back to me.

I'm not anti-religious in any way. I'm a Libertarian, I believe in the freedom of each individual to do as they please so long as they don't harm another individual or their property. The point of this post, as I've elaborated about ten times now, is about the special privileges being granted out to the religious. Like the extra special prayer time mandated by law is some states. I don't mind people praying, I don't even mind people praying in school, but why in the world do they need special rights to engage in an act that they have copious amounts of time after school to do so. That was the point of my post, and my question.

No - I got your point.

I made another, stronger point. There's no reason to silence someone who wants to pray beyond "I don't like it."

 

[TeleKat]

No - I got your point.

I made another, stronger point. There's no reason to silence someone who wants to pray beyond "I don't like it."

Apparently not, because you're still spewing diatribe about what I'm saying. I don't want to silence anybody, and I don't want to prevent anyone from praying. I'm a Libertarian, and I protect and assert the right of the individual to create their own destiny and to do whatever it is they please so long as they do not harm others. My problem, for the eleventh time now, is special rights for praying, as in laws mandating prayer time in schools. I don't see a point in this as the children have plenty of time to pray outside of those specially created blocks of time. Before school, after school, weekends, recess, lunch, etc.

 

[Aunt Spiker]

Apparently not, because you're still spewing diatribe about what I'm saying. I don't want to silence anybody, and I don't want to prevent anyone from praying. I'm a Libertarian, and I protect and assert the right of the individual to create their own destiny and to do whatever it is they please so long as they do not harm others. My problem, for the eleventh time now, is special rights for praying, as in laws mandating prayer time in schools. I don't see a point in this as the children have plenty of time to pray outside of those specially created blocks of time. Before school, after school, weekends, recess, lunch, etc.

If your original point was "prayer being mandated in school" then it failed to get into your original post where you merely state that "kids can pray any other time - they just don't need to do it at school." Your original post was in regard to willing prayer.

And then later on at some point you changed your beat and went 'well in the schools that mandate prayer'

I don't need to even reiterate the fact that no one mandates prayer in places like public school. So that afterthought complaint would be in regard to only places like Catholic schools and other religious ones.

So I guess: don't send your kids to a religious school?