PRAYER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

This is a topic that generates a great deal more heat than light. A number of points need to be considered in relation to prayer and other religious rituals in school:

Contrary to generally held belief, school prayer is not forbidden in public schools. A student can come early to class, sit quietly, and pray silently. They can legally organize a prayer group in any school that permits secular clubs. Similarly, with some discipline, a student can pray upon rising, as a family before leaving home, even (if they can concentrate over the noise) in a school bus, etc
there is a sizable minority of parents (and by implication, children) who are follow other than Christian religions or who follow no religion at all. They find an enforced Christian prayer to be deeply offensive, and an attack on their freedom of religion.
many deeply Christian and other religious parents and children who pray regularly regard enforced, state written prayers to be deeply offensive and a violation of fundamental human rights.
some jurisdictions have allowed objecting students to leave the room and thus be excused from reciting a prayer. However, this action inevitably subjects the students to harassment by their peers.
to require students to recite a Christian prayer implies state recognition of Christianity as a religion of special status in the country. This is interpreted by many that religions other than Christianity are inferior. That promotes conflict among faith groups and intolerance of minority religions.
attempting to decide what prayers should be used can result in inter-denominational conflict among Christians. More conservative groups might ask for prayers which deal with sin and the necessity of being "saved". Mainstream groups may want to write prayers which emphasize the love of God.
The freedom for parents and a school system to require children to recite a state-written prayer conflicts with the rights of parents and students who wish freedom from compulsory prayer. Some jurisdictions have reached various compromises that balance the rights and desires of opposing groups:
- some schools institute a moment of silence that students can use to pray silently, or meditate, or simply centre themselves.
- most schools allow any interested students to gather elsewhere in the school to pray as a group.
- some school systems have a list of prayers drawn from a variety of religions that are found in the state or province. These prayers are read in sequence by a volunteer. Students are not required to recite the words; they can simply remain silent. This approach has a valuable educational component. Students learn a little about many religions. They realize that there are many different religions in the world and that society recognizes that all have worth.
the ultimate test for a Christian is "what Jesus says about prayer" . The author of the book of Matthew stated this clearly:"
```
Matt. 6:5
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the 
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in 
the synagogues and in the corners of the streets,
that they may be seen of men..."
Matt. 6:6
"...when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and 
when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father 
which is in secret...."
```
The reference to go into thy closet has been translated in other versions of the Bible as go into your inner room; go away by yourself, all alone and go into your room. The message is clearly that:
- prayers in public where other people are present is not allowed.
- prayers should be an intensely personal event between a person and their God; no one else should be present.
- prayers should not be given in groups, whether at school, in church, in synagogue, or in a legislature.
The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible (1) states, with reference to Matt. 6:6 that:
```
"...prayer and fasting are to be purely private acts 
involving only God and the penitent one."
```
Matthew Henry's Commentary (2) states:
```
"Instead of praying in the synagogues and in the corners of the 
streets, enter into thy closet, into some place of privacy and retirement. 
Isaac went into the field..., Christ to a mountain, Peter to a housetop."
```

A bible-believing Christian would appear to be required to oppose school and other public prayer.

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