Taking God out of schools

Students lose liberty and freedom without prayer

by Blake Viator

Schools want students to express themselves through their culture, activities, and clubs, but the Supreme Court states that we cannot through prayer.

It was the 1962 case, Engel v. Vitale that moved the Supreme Court to make it unlawful to publicly pray on a public school campus.

The Supreme Court ruled that a New York school district had violated the first amendment by making the district principals say the following prayer before class everyday: “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence on Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country.”

Today in schools students are not allowed to lead prayer over the intercom, nor are they allowed to lead prayer at football games and extra-curricular activities.

At Carencro High School, along with the morning announcements and the pledge, there is a moment of silence for students to pray quietly.

Also, in some schools across America they have substituted “under him” for “under God.”

Who has the right to change the words of The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America?

Teachers are not allowed by law to pray with students or in the presence of students. Teachers are also not allowed to wear disruptive religious clothing or jewelry.

Students are still allowed to pray before, during, and after school, as long as they don't disrupt the class or other students. They are also allowed to say prayer before meals as long as they don't disturb other students. Students in a prayer or worship organization are also allowed to pray at meetings and club functions.

By taking away prayer in schools, the Supreme Court has essentially taken away the civil liberties and the freedom of students.