Prayers in public school events have been a topic of great debate in the USA for many years. Opposers of the idea believe that reintroducing prayer into public schools sends the message that a particular religion is legally mandated and that everyone who disagrees is wrong. Separation of religion and state is another concern they raise. They argue that nobody wants prayers in public schools because it may lead to government interference in religious matters. The proposers have a controversial opinion as they believe prayers in public schools are crucial. They believe children may learn to rely on God as a source of insight and direction via prayer. Every day, young brains are reminded to take their anxieties and concerns to God to get perspective on the problem during a calm period of prayer. The advantages and disadvantages of public school prayers need to be weighed to find the best solution that will benefit the learners.
The people who support the prayer events in school implement the utilitarian ethical principle. They believe that most people support prayer events, and allowing them will benefit many. They argue that God punishes nations severely when public school activities do not include prayers (Head). Politicians have speculated that the Newtown shooting occurred because God was punishing the United States for banning faculty-led school prayer.
Those in mandatory school prayer say God will bless a nation’s children if they pray daily. In their view, the USA has not been much blessed in the years after public school prayers were banned. Students must access religious instruction in public schools to develop strong moral convictions. It cultivates routines like going to church and influences students’ worldviews and responses. A person’s character is typically indicative of the underlying moral and ethical ideas that guide his behavior. However, others may counter that terrorism is also being promoted by religion to individuals who engage in such acts. The need for power and control shapes their personalities, not religion.
The opposers of the prayers not being held in public school events have divergent opinions and the implementation of deontological ethics. Prayers in public schools are seen as immoral by those who disagree because they violate the principle of the school being a national unity symbol, not a religious one (Engle). They regard churches, advisors, and parents as more credible places to get religious instruction. The Supreme court ruled against mandatory or state-sanctioned prayer in public schools, such as those held at high school graduations. In 2000, the Supreme Court found that student-led prayers during high school events were unconstitutional because they breached the First Amendment’s ban on the creation of religion by the state (Engle).
It was stated that public school prayer event should not happen since it forces the audience to participate in a religious ritual. Their main point is that not everyone has to have the same religious beliefs or practices. One may homeschool their kid or enroll them in a religious institution if they want to instill religious values in their offspring. They need to practice their faith in a manner that does not bother anybody else.
Charles Kimball aimed to explore how religion can become a source of evil and thus the conflict leading to some people believing religion will corrupt schools. Although he maintains that religion serves a constructive and important purpose, he does identify several red flags that indicate religion is becoming harmful (Ward 112). Kimball details the devastating nerve gas assault on Tokyo subway stations carried out by Asahara Shoko’s faithful followers, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of many people. People have defended prayers in public schools in America for many years since the court’s ruling was made in 1962 (Cooley 173).
Some believe that depriving children of their fundamental religious right to pray is wrong. However, the court has continuously ruled that the practice is unconstitutional. Opponents believe religious leaders expect unquestioning obedience from their followers, which can misguide the congregation. There is fear that such practices may be transferred to institutions, thereby misguiding the learners. The proposers believe that religious leaders have goodwill in shaping the morals of the children in the right way.
In conclusion, the issue of prayers in public schools remains a great concern and debate. The proposers believe it has a greater role in shaping their children’s life. They hope that praying with their children will help them teach them to look to God for guidance and wisdom. It shapes the perspectives and actions of its pupils by encouraging habits like regular church attendance. The opposers believe that public school prayers bring religion, which interferes with other learners of a different religion.
Works Cited
Cooley, Amanda Harmon. “The Powerful Problem of Prayer at Public School Board Meetings.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021, p. 173. Web.
Engle, Jeremy. “Does Prayer Have Any Place in Public Schools?” The New York Times, 2022. Web.
Head, Tom. “Here Are Some Arguments Used to Support Prayer in Public Schools.” ThoughtCo, 2019. Web.
Ward, M., Young, W. A., Kimball, C., McMickle, M. A., Cunningham, P. A., & Brown, L. G. (2021). Challenges for Christian Faith: Addresses in Honor of CS Lewis. Rowman & Littlefield.