Prayer in Schools

Organized prayer in schools is a very controversial topic. There have been many attempts to bring prayer into schools, even though the first amendment of the Bill of Rights states: (Quote)

“Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of
religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”

This seems to clearly state that the government can not officially establish a state religion, but today, 214 years after the amendment was written, we are still fighting about this issue through prayer in schools. As a student and son of a Presbyterian minister, I feel as though I have a personal interest in this argument and believe that organized prayer does not belong in public schools because its presence is not necessary in order to maintain a desirable learning environment.

Firstly, organized prayer is not necessary because if students really want to pray, there is a lot of free time during the day to do so. I have known of several Muslim students that have found the time to pray the required 5 times a day, without a designated time set aside at school for prayer.

Secondly, many Christian advocates for prayer in schools just want prayer time for their personal advancement. They wish to show off and prove to the world that they are holy. The bible warns against this though in Matthew Ch. 6, verses 5-6.

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Strangely, these people are contradicting the doctrine which they are attempting to spread.

Now, some may say that prayer time would not affect students that do not wish to pray adversely because it could be prayer time or study hall. Being left out of prayer time can hurt younger kids’ self-esteem, uses up class time that could be preparing students for EOG and EOC tests, and not to mention violates the 1st amendment.



As can be seen, prayer is not appropriate for public schools in the diverse society that we currently enjoy in America. If prayer becomes as common as the pledge of allegiance in schools, we will not have an open, free learning environment, but it will become subject to censure due to religion. Public prayer belongs at places of worship and not at school.