Prayer in school :: essays research papers

Since the Engel decision in 1962, religious advocates have been assailing the Supreme Court for " taking God out of the classroom." In an effort to reverse this trend, conservative religious groups have been fighting for the passage of a school prayer amendment to gain great leeway for religious activities in schools. Clearly not all school prayer advocates agree as to what types of religious activities are permissible in macrocosm schools and why, only when the following are some of the most frequently heard arguments. (1) Our Government is based on Religious Principles inculcate prayer proponents maintain the get together States was established as a Christian nation with religious belief playing a central role in guiding the nations destiny. Supporters of religion in school claim the founding fathers never intended a separation of church building and state, evidenced by the fact that the phrase "separation of church and state" is not in the Constitution. Signs of a church/state union can be seen regularly Congress prays at the opening of every school term federal officials take their oaths upon a Bible "In God we trust" is stamped on our national currency and Moses and the Ten Commandments are featured prominently in the Supreme Court building. If religion is accepted in these government institutions, they reason, it should not be stopped at the schoolhouse door. (2) The Free make Clause Protects School PrayerDespite decades of Supreme Court rulings, many religious advocates claim the Constitution protects school prayer. According to their interpretation, the First Amendment does not separate God and government, but actually encourages religion. Many supporters believe the Establishment Clause was intended to bar only the establishment of a state religion. They narrowly interpret the Free Exercise Clause as requiring the government to accommodate religious observances in public life. Many advocates believe the restriction on gr aduation and student-led school prayers violates their First Amendment obligation to practice religion without government interference.