The Prayer in School Concern
Someone joked, "As long as there are tests, they'll be prayers in public schools." Believers have more than just a need of "supernatural help" to pass a test. Prayer is part of the communication process in a relationship, but controversy looms over the practice in public schools.
Prayer in public school is an overly-debated issue. A visit to this topic here is not to join the debate, but to highlight some potential problems that may result from the tug-o-war between atheists and the advocates of school prayer.
What are children learning from the battle over prayer in school? Could it be that a message that God does not belong in our everyday lives is being implanted in their minds?
In societies where religion is state mandated and enforced an equally dangerous situation exists - that God is a tyrant. Worship God or suffer the penalty for refusing.
Neither should the atheist or agnostic take prayer in school to be threatening. If everyone around me were praying now, I would not need to lock my door. Can anyone prove that the more students pray the more violent they become, or the less they learn? I doubt that.
Acknowledging authority
The habit of praying leads to the acknowledgement of a supreme or higher power outside ourselves. For example, true Christians who acknowledge God as ruler of their lives are less likely to be errant citizens. Why?
A Christian emulates Christ. Christ was a prayerful, non-violent, loving person while on earth. If this way of life is taught in the home, it should not be "intimidating" in any way to someone else when encouraged at school.
Separate Church and State
It is my belief, however, that church and state should be separate. School prayer should not be legislated against, neither should its observance be enforced.
| Kansas State Senate Prayer |
| Read the prayer by Minister Joe Wright at the opening of the Kansas State Senate. Find out how some legislators responded. |
Any worship or homage that is forced simply becomes a mockery to whomever receives it. On the same token, if there are those who want to have prayer in public school, let them.
Prayer in school is a moral issue. We cannot or should not legislate morality. If we do, it is a mistake.
In fact, the First Amendment to the Constitution stipulates that government be neutral in the issue; i.e. not to enforce or debar anyone from praying.
Controversy heightens
Seemingly, the controversy grows and a concern lingers. In light of the fact that it is dangerous to legislate how or when one worships or prays, the issue should not be subjected to the vote either.
Often when such matters are determined by consensus, the minority (those opposing the winning vote) lose their rights. This is dangerous, especially concerning matters relating to conscience; worship for example.
The battle over prayer in school is just an extension of the great controversy between good and evil. The fight is deeper and more far reaching that first meets the eye. And those who know the virtue and effectiveness of prayer should not cease to petition, in this light, that God would let others see heaven's hope.
For one day, all creation will see the end of the conflict between good and evil. It's promised. Then we won't need to pray publicly or privately, for we will be able to just meet God face to face and talk. That's heaven's hope for you and me.