No Prayer in Public Schools Essay -- Religion in Public Schools

No Prayer in familiar SchoolsChapter three of Civil Liberties Opposing Viewpoints inspired me to research instantlys issues of shallow petition. To understand how we got to where we are today, I first of all delved into our countries narration of court cases pertaining to rulings on invocation in schools. Lastly, to update my audience on how our lives are being affected today, I directed my efforts toward finding incumbent situations. By analyzing these situations, I gained knowledge for a better understanding of wherefore society needs to be aware of these controversies. I dont think there should be any form of organized prayer in todays public schools. Praying in school was first addressed in the Supreme Court in 1962 in the Engle v. Vitale case. The introduction Clause emerged and stated Congress shall make no law respecting an giving medication of religion. The court ruled the Union Free School District in Hyde Park, NY had violated the First Amendment by directing the principals to cause the following prayer to be said aloud by each class in the presence of a teacher at the beginning of each school day Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country (Longley, Public). I agree with the courts ruling because not all students in a classroom share the same beliefs. To cause everyone to say this prayer certainly violates their rights. Two other court cases were influential in addressing prayer. In the 1971 rotter v. Kurtzman case the Supreme Court composed a list of guidelines, know as the Lemon Test, to prove a entrust unconstitutional. It states the court allow rule a practice unconstitutional if 1. It lacks any secular purpose. 2. The practice either promote... ...endment on School Prayer or Moment of Silence. library n.d. 28 Oct. 2001 . * * Lesk, Emily. My Turn My 60-Second Protest From the Hallway. Newsweek 11 June 2001 12-13. * * Longley, Robert. Chruch and nominate How the Court Decides. U.S. Gov data/Resources n.d. 12 Nov. 2001 . * * Longley, Robert. Public Schools Dont Have a Prayer. U.S. Gov Info/Resources n.d. 15 Nov. 2001 . * * McCuen, Gary E. piety and Politics Issues in Religious Liberty. Hudson G.E. McCuen Publications, 1989. * * Roleff, Tamara L. Civil Liberties Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. * * Swomley, John M. Religion, The State and The Schools. New York Pegasus, 1968. *