Really?

I do online surveys and one of the questions I had was whether or not I thought that prayers should be a part of school routine including public and nonreligious schools. I thought it was a no brainer and answered that religion and prayer should stay at home, unless in a religious school.  To my surprise the results showed that around 80 percent of people thought that it should be in the schools.

I'm totally amazed! First of all, there are so many different religions that there's no way to accommodate all and what about the nonbelievers? Not that it's going to happen. I'm just shocked at how many people thought prayer should be a part of the schools.

Am I the only one surprised? What do you think?

I think that the majority of that 80% of respondants would change their knee-jerk response if the prayer in schools was to any god but their own.  

Original Post by dreadfulpenny:

I think that the majority of that 80% of respondants would change their knee-jerk response if the prayer in schools was to any god but their own.  

 haha you are so right!

When my dad went to public school (in the 50's), they said the Lord's Prayer in school every morning.  He didn't think anything strange of it.  He was not christian, and it didn't bother him.  It was just part of the day like saying the pledge of allegiance.  I believe he even told me they had bible study, but I can't recall.

Even in my public school we studied the Old Testament, and that was in the 80's.  I would have actually enjoyed it if we had explored other religions too.  They didn't, so I had to explore this in college.  I think a comparative religion course in high school could go a long way to fostering understanding between religions.

I don't object to a quiet unguided moment for prayer or meditation in school.  That way each student can practice what they believe, or just sit still for a few minutes.  I might object to a specific guided prayer.  Although, honestly, if I was raising a child without religion, and their school did have a daily prayer, I would just tell them to sit there any be quiet.  It doesn't have to bother you if you don't let it.

Studying other religions was part of my high school social studies curriculum. It was incorporated into several classes. I graduated high school in '02. I don't know what other schools have this though.

My h.s. had prayer at the flag pole in the mornings before school but it was set up by a student group and wasn't part of the actual school.

If there was an unguided period where children of any religion were able to observe if they wanted to I'd be fine with it.  If it was more like a short free period where kids that don't observe had options such as starting homework early or reading a personal book then I think it would be equal for all the kids.  This way those wishing to observe their religion had the chance, and those who don't observe have options as well.

Something like that here ultimately would open up to my children coming home more often saying we are all going to burn in hell..(among other things).. and even more tracts being sent home with people trying to force us into the 'norms' here.  I have my views and other people have theirs, oddly enough they're the ones offended and I'm fine with it.  Scare tactics and attempts to shove it down my throat are only going to make me angry.

Original Post by kaffwynn:

When my dad went to public school (in the 50's), they said the Lord's Prayer in school every morning.  He didn't think anything strange of it.  He was not christian, and it didn't bother him.  It was just part of the day like saying the pledge of allegiance.  I believe he even told me they had bible study, but I can't recall.

What astounds me is that I went to public school in Oklahoma for a year in the 70s, well after the ruling on prayer in schools, and we were still all led in the Lord's Prayer over the school loudspeaker every morning.

It was as meaningful to me as the Pledge of Allegiance was at that time - i.e. not at all.

My school in the 80's had a "moment of silence." I think that should work--you can choose to pray or not if you so believe, and you can choose who you want to pray to. To lead a prayer to any particular Diety and require it for students is unfair to students who may have different backgrounds.

I suppose if it were open to all sorts of religions and accommodating those without religions it would be fine. But that would be nearly impossible to do without some sort of controversy.

My daughter will be 4 in a couple of weeks and we are raising her with no religion. I was sort of raised Catholic -- went to a catholic school for a while. I don't have those beliefs as an adult, am not a fan of organized religion, and my husband doesn't believe in a god. I wouldn't like any prayer or religion practiced or preached to my daughter in school, but I wouldn't mind if she was informed about ALL the religions or lack of religion and have her make her own decision as she grows up. Like I said, My husband and I have no religion, but we are open to her inquiring about them, and if she decides one day to believe a certain way, we are completely ok with that.

Original Post by coffincritter:

My school in the 80's had a "moment of silence." I think that should work--you can choose to pray or not if you so believe, and you can choose who you want to pray to. To lead a prayer to any particular Diety and require it for students is unfair to students who may have different backgrounds.

I agree. Not many people would have an argument against a moment of silence...

Original Post by coffincritter:

My school in the 80's had a "moment of silence." I think that should work--you can choose to pray or not if you so believe, and you can choose who you want to pray to. To lead a prayer to any particular Diety and require it for students is unfair to students who may have different backgrounds.

I agree. I would support a moment of silence after/or before the pledge. That would suffice,imo. For those that ' feel the need ' to have their moments. Lol. I'm fine without it being there though in all honesty. Those that want religion in schools need to send their children to a private school,imho. I fully support separation of church and state.

Some people teach their children to stay seated during the pledge. That can also amount to a ' iffy/twitchy' topic for some parents/children too. 

My family is not religious and I was raised similar to what ~monkey described.  I remember having to say the pleadge of allegiance in grade school and not liking the "under God" part.  I knew as a 7 year old that I didn't believe in any God and as an adult I believe religion should be kept at home.  As for Religious Studies (i.e. ALL religions) as a course, I'm all for that.  Learning religion to practice it is one thing, learning it to become more educated is another.

Post #11: "Learning religion to practice it is one thing, learning it to become more educated is another." 

True. Some people have a conniption if their child is taught anything.

 Oooh nu. Religious Studies.

Oooh nu. Sex Ed.

offering religious studies as an elective is great, provided that you have people who are qualified to teach it.  the alternative is a recipe for disaster. 

as for the "moment of silence" - i don't buy it.  that's a thin veil over christian prayer.  sure, it's up to the students how they spend their moment, but unless that "moment" is going to accommodate the traditions of other religions (prayer mats, facing the east, different schedules, chanting, dance, etc. etc.), it's exclusive.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

offering religious studies as an elective is great, provided that you have people who are qualified to teach it.  the alternative is a recipe for disaster. 

as for the "moment of silence" - i don't buy it.  that's a thin veil over christian prayer.  sure, it's up to the students how they spend their moment, but unless that "moment" is going to accommodate the traditions of other religions (prayer mats, facing the east, different schedules, chanting, dance, etc. etc.), it's exclusive.

 

That's true.

I see the argument as wholly unneccessary and simply a way to fuel dividity (ha!) divisiveness. Those who feel the need to pray, will do it whether the school gives them an alotted time or not. It's an internal process that works for you whether you are kneeling, bowing your head or eating your lunch.

Would rather see our schools teach tolerance and anger management then debate over whether or not a student should have thoughts.

Original Post by kathygator:

...dividity...

 'gator, my love, i think you need another cup of coffee.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

offering religious studies as an elective is great, provided that you have people who are qualified to teach it.  the alternative is a recipe for disaster. 

as for the "moment of silence" - i don't buy it.  that's a thin veil over christian prayer.  sure, it's up to the students how they spend their moment, but unless that "moment" is going to accommodate the traditions of other religions (prayer mats, facing the east, different schedules, chanting, dance, etc. etc.), it's exclusive.

 Phft. See there. All that would take far more than the moment given. That just sounds ridiculous to me. It just seems more logical to put your kids in private school. One of which that has your choice of religious practice. People can pray with their children before they go to school. Or:Home school. w/e

Original Post by enchantingimage:

 Phft. See there. All that would take far more than the moment given.

um...that's the point.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Original Post by kathygator:

...dividity...

 'gator, my love, i think you need another cup of coffee.

 heh - or a frickin dictionary.

post edited  - thanks Pg. :)

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Original Post by enchantingimage:

 Phft. See there. All that would take far more than the moment given.

um...that's the point.

 Exactly. :) Good one. People wouldn't agree to a moment of silence addressed like that. Too much blah. Give them a moment and they take an hour.