Volunteer Prayer In Public Schools example essay topic

An issue that has been constantly debated for years is whether voluntary prayer in public schools should be permitted. A student should be allowed to pray voluntarily at the beginning of each school day based on many reasons. Prayer based on moral beliefs reinforce good citizenship as defined by our forefathers. A daily reminder of a need for the belief of good over evil is a necessary part of this society.

Daily voluntary school prayer should be re-instated in public schools due to three reasons, the historical basis of the beginning of the United States government, the serious moral decline since prayer has been outlawed, and the government infringement on the constitutional guarantee of individual freedom of personal beliefs. First, a student should be allowed to pray voluntarily at the beginning of each school day because the United States government was originally based on Christian principles. The Declaration of Independence, a document written to express the mission and purpose of this new country, states", We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that God endows them, with certain unalienable rights... ". Credit for the rights that Americans hold dear is given to God, the Creator, by the founding fathers of this Nation. In order to understand the basic fundamentals of the US form of government, students need to understand the religious teachings that influenced these early leaders; that is the creation, the providence of God and a final judgement day for accountability.

Since the government was formed under these principles, it can only stay strong if students understand these beginnings. The first amendment states "that congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof... ". The first clause declares that the federal government cannot establish a common state church. Many of the US forefathers left Europe because they did not agree with nor want to be forced to support the established state church. The second part of this clause insures and encourages individual religious belief.

The demonstration that religion is important to the workings of the government of this country can be seen when every session of Congress opens with a prayer. Why are the governing bodies of this nation allowed to pray daily, but schools are prohibited? Although prayer should be reinstated because it is an important part of our American heritage, other reasons exists for re-instating volunteer prayer in public schools. Another reason for reinstating volunteer prayer in public schools comes from the fact that since prayer has been prohibited in public schools, the morality of the nation has declined. Since the Supreme Court outlawed prayer in public schools in 1960, the nation has seen a steady moral decline. There is a strong correlation between the expulsion of prayer in public schools and moral decline.

Between the years of 1960 and 1990, the divorce rate has more than doubled, teenage pregnancy and teenage suicide has increased 250%. Child abuse is now at an all time high and since the end of school prayer, abortions have gone up more than 1000%. Universal principles of a civilized society are mandated by the Bible and re-enforce by prayer. In the words of Ben Franklin", When we were subject to danger from the war with Great Britain, we met daily in this room to pray for Divine protection.

Our prayers, Sir, were heard and graciously answered... Have we now forgotten our powerful Friend? Do we no longer need his assistance?" The coming together to pray daily provide support, re-enforcement and fellowship to keep minds focused on good instead of evil. Many psychological studies have found that people who pray daily have spiritual faith in goodness as presented in Christianity suffer less depression and are less likely to commit suicide. Parents teach their children morals at home. These lessons of right and wrong need to be emphasized at school also.

A belief in a power larger than oneself helps students withstand stresses of today's world. Daily prayer emphasizes intangible traits of good character. Some of these traits include unselfishness, kindness, respect, honesty, and thankfulness for simple basics, hope for the future, accountability for one's own actions, and perseverance in spite of trouble. Morals such as these cannot be properly taught with out the intangible faith in moral laws as established by religion and sustained by prayer. Volunteer prayer in public schools should be allowed to encourage moral growth in students, but another reason exists for allowing prayer in school, the infringement of the first amendment rights of those who wish to express their spiritual beliefs. The first amendment guarantees personal freedoms under the law if you are a US citizen, but the Supreme Court ruling forbidding prayer in public schools has restricted the majority of American citizens from being able to pray, read the Bible, sing religious songs, and make any kind of reference to religion in public schools.

Although the intent of the Supreme Court decision probably has been interpreted to the extreme by school administrations afraid of law suits, it has damaged the moral education of all of the students in public school. Homosexuals, people of color, women, and others fight for individual rights. If told they could not talk of their beliefs in public, this country would probably face another civil war. But for some reason, those who wish to practice their religion publicly are treated as criminals. In one instance a child who brought her Bible to school to read during free reading time, was sent home and told not to bring the Bible to school again. Silent messages are sent to children when disapproval seems the norm.

Future generations accept this infringement on personal rights, and so goes the country and moral responsibility to each other. Voluntary prayer in public schools should be reinstated due to this country's founding principles, moral emphasis, and first amendment rights of individual freedom. Due to the non-confrontational nature of those who ascribe to religious beliefs, the government has adjusted to those who have been confrontational. The elected officials of this nation need to re-evaluate volunteer prayer in school, and pass a resolution supporting that as long as beliefs are not forced on a student (citizen) the practice of faith and morality through volunteer prayer should be encouraged.