Cultural Identifiers Topic Essay

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Oct 30, 2023

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1 Prayer in School Carson Poarch Grand Canyon University: EDU 330 September 26, 2023

2 Controversial Topic Summary Schools all around the world celebrate the unique qualities in their students, but the topic of prayer has always sparked many differing viewpoints. Every other person has an opinion whether it is that prayer in school violates the Constitution, forcing beliefs on students or that it infringes on rights that are very clearly stated in the First Amendment. It seems to be a topic that will forever be controversial. In 1962, prayer in school was deemed unconstitutional and a law was created to treat all students equally no matter their race or religion. Although I am religious and pray daily, I believe that all students should feel comfortable and that schools should create a sense of safety in all classrooms. Cultural Identifier and Controversial issue related to K-12 education. Understanding prayer, and how it should be approached, can be difficult for younger students, who may wonder why it's allowed in some places but not in others. As students grow up and learn more about the world, they may begin to feel a stronger urge to stand up for their religion and the beliefs that come with it. Students have never been asked not to pray, just simply to understand that there is a time and a place. They may pray when they are not actively involved in school activities, lessons or under any regulations intended to prevent disruption to the educational process (Uddin, 2023). This means they can pray during non-instructional times as long as it doesn't disrupt the school environment and make others feel uncomfortable in a place where everyone should feel accepted no matter their background. Key Historical Events Prayer in school was ruled unconstitutional in 1962 in the case of Engel vs.Vitale, and again in 1963, in the case of the School District of Abington Township, Pennsylvania v. Schempp. These decisions were grounded in the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which

3 is the understanding that the government cannot show favoritism between any religious group. Saying this, even if a law is deemed constitutional, its application in individual schools may still be found unconstitutional (Ravitch, 2018). This means that how a law is enforced in different school settings can impact its constitutionality. We attend a Christian school where things such as prayer and scripture are ok to speak about in a classroom setting! Controversies Teachers and other school staff are restricted by the First Amendment from either promoting or discouraging prayer or engaging in it with students. These restrictions are in place to keep education and religion seperate, ensuring that students are not being influenced to believe something that they do not want part in. Outside of their professional roles, teachers can participate in prayer and other religious activities as individuals, as long as it does not show in the workplace. Teachers must remain neutral in the workplace whether that is religion, politics or any other controversial topics, that could divide rather than unify! Current Opinions Many people argue that denying prayer in school keeps children from exposure to religious influence that have built many of the moral values that the United States was built on. Although this is understandable in some situations, we must remember that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom and does not allow government endorsement of religious practices. This means that allowing prayer to take place in school is seen as a violation of the separation of church and state. Similarly, teachers who wish to introduce topics such as creationism into the curriculum are considered unconstitutional as well. How Teachers and Students are affected When speaking of prayer and how it affects a classroom, we must emphasize the potential

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4 challenges of creating a space that is fair and balanced. This is stressed particularly when job security is uncertain. Simply presenting viewpoints that are different in controversial matters such as this, can lead to criticism and conflict from many different sources, such as colleges and the public eye (Gaston, 2020). When teachers try to find a balance between diverse ideals while maintaining professional neutrality, they risk ensuring that every student's voice and perspective are respected and included. Solutions for Injustice The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was approved by the government allowing federal funding to support public education. This was beneficial but had a consequence that allowed unconstitutional prayer in schools. This happened because the act said that federal funding could be withheld from any school that held students from participating in constitutionally protected prayer. This means that students can participate in silent prayer or prayer that is done in a group such as a club. It is great as long as no one is coerced into participating! Resources

5 Uddin, A. (2023, August 24). Prayer in school: What’s protected by the First Amendment? Freedom Forum. https://www.freedomforum.org/prayer-in-school/ Ravitch, F. (2018, August 1). History shows why school prayer is so divisive. MSUToday. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2018/history-shows-why-school-prayer-is-so-divisive Gaston, H. (2020, February 13). A trumped-up controversy? school prayer in policy, history, and Ethics. Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/a-trumped-up-controversy-school-prayer-in- policy-history-and-ethics Part 2 1. Frank Ravitch shows us that the history of prayer in schools traces back to 1962. This was when the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. This led to many ideals, some believing that it means no prayer in school at all. Others believe that the Court was simply saying that schools should stop promoting prayer. He helps us to see that students have freedom to engage in prayer when it is personal and not in an authoritative nature. Students can pray before meals or in a club that they join, but they cannot impose prayer on those who do not believe in it. 2. Asma Uddin continues to show us what is protected with the First Amendment. To summarize, the debate deals with finding the right balance, between peoples right to expression and the rules that are set in place to keep us from endorsing religion in public places. It is an ongoing discussion that reflects religious freedom and separation of church and state. 3. Healan Gaston, gave us insight into the issue of prayer in school from an educators

6 perspective. The importance of maintaining balance in her classroom is strongly emphasized and she gives examples of how excessive prayer, or the opposite, can lead to many different perspectives and can influence the path children take, also influencing the direction of the country. We must remember that students' opinions on this topic are forever controversial.

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