Supporting Prayer in Public Schools Essay -- Religion

â€Å"Our Father†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Denied For centuries, the debate has existed whether or not to allow prayer in public schools. Many Americans feel it is not right of the schools to teach religion. With all the diversity associated with the United States, public schools cannot select one standard religion to practice, due to the cultural and religious differences in the country. Not only are schools the storm center of controversy involving religious differences, they are the principal institution charged with transmitting the identity and mission of the United States from one generation to the next. If we fail in our school policies and classrooms to model and to teach how to live with differences, we endanger our experiment in religious liberty and our unity as a nation. According to the First Amendment of the Constitution, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof (usconstitution.net). The writers of the Constitution made it an important point in protecting freedom and religion. The writers then even stressed the importance of being able to be in any religion that suited a person. â€Å"The First Amendment of the Constitution removes government from the realm of religious belief and practice so that the state can neither subvert nor manipulate religion to serve secular, public ends† (Keynes and Miller 177). It is pure ignorance for someone to think that one religion is accepted throughout the world. No man or woman should be forced into a specific religion, quieted by peers, or not allowed to gather as a group of students just to pray. â€Å"A Congress that allows God to be banned from our schools while our schools can teach about cults, Hitler and even devil worship is wron g, out of t... ...reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what you have done in secret, will reward you† (Matthew 6:5-6 Holy Bible NIV). It would be beneficial to all if the advice set forth by Matthew the Apostle, was followed both in private life and mirrored with public schools. Works cited U.S Constitution Online. Steve Mount. 12 May 2008. 6 November 2008. Religion and Prayer in the US Public Schools. B.A. Robinson. 2006 October 11. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. 6 November 2008. Keynes, Edward and Miller, Randall K. Court vs. Congress. North Carolina, Duke University Press, 1989. http://books.google.com/books?id=_Ebb2wsxkF4C. 6 November 2008 Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Americans United for Separation of Church and State.