Prayer in Public Schools, Essay Example

“Here I am, Lord, I thank you for bringing me in this world, giving me food and shelter, for always being on my side, for guiding and helping me in the path of truth..” these are the words of a simple prayer. Prayer is a conversation, an explicit interaction with God. It is also a regular reconciliation with the ultimate supreme power in universe.

Prayer is a gift, a sweet message that forms the core of existence in an individual. It is the basic backbone of the mental strength that can be vested during the stages of growth. Just like calcium and vitamins, which are required for the mental and physical development of a child; prayer is essential for the enrichment of spiritual inclination. Education prepares a child for the future aspects in life while prayer co-ordinates the direction and meaning of life. It preaches the gospels of life in its sanctity and piousness..it divulges the intricate passion for the basic trait in a person; that is to be a good human being, that is to follow the path of truth and benevolence. Prayer is not for Christians or Catholics, prayer is not for a religion or a faction; nor is it for a majority or minority or in that matter not the consolidated property of any political party. It does not have any color, any shape or as such any oblivion stature that can be resented on. It is a human trait, a philosophy, learning and an ideology that makes a person happier and complete. It is a rendezvous of appeal and in sync serenity with the conscience and soul. The question is then where is the debate on prayer? What is the context of the debate and what are the consequences of such a debate?

We have debated since eternity on the existence of God and his profound influence on our lives. They’re also God and his love has been attributed to cynicism and factual disapproval.

It is the trait of humans to disapprove and disregard..so prayer is now and then summoned in the courts of justice, the law agencies now rule the dictum of God. My question is what is the form of prayer that has lead to such dissent?

Well, prayer has fallen prey to a bunch of religious anti socials, the bunch of self centered individuals who are exploiting the sanctity of prayer, to mobilize human emotions. America is a secular country and people are allowed to profess, practice and propagate religion of their choice. But a recent scam with religion shows that prayers in public schools are being paraphrased and are being used as a new tool of conversion. One religious sect tries to motivate and exploit the innocent and fragile young brains to follow their ideologies. Public schools have a diverse culmination of many religions like Jews, Catholics, Baptist, Quaker, Buddhists, and Hindus. They have multicultural views and faith according to their tradition and history. They have different patterns of worship and following. However they are being coerced to follow the religion as a verdict and choice of their schools. These academic institutions have the special grants and aid from certain religious communities in the exchange of being the propeller of change in religion. They are been vested the responsibility to divert the minds of the young gentry so that a child is subdued to change his/her faith. Their heinous intentions and crime has corrupted the interface of prayers and are thus treated with contempt and fear. Thomas Jefferson, author of the sweeping Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, stating that no citizen “shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever…” and that to “compell a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of [religious] opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical.”A simple prayer, a recitation, a phrase in the solicitation of almighty is subjugated and misused.

Prayer is rich and flawless. How can few words of thankfulness be prejudicial to human beings? Let us understand the serenity and benevolence of prayers. Every religion has a superpower…one almighty; does not essentially be Mary or Jesus, Vishnu or Allah. After all however diverse they are, their ultimate roots trace the existence of one super power. They are just a human version to different forms of God and worship, and what about prayer? Does a Christian, a catholic, a Buddhist, or a Hindu not taught to pray? It may be in their own language and own form, but every religion and every faith has a prayer. They all for once remember the skills and gift of the master. So praying is free from bias, solicitation and personal vendetta. People who glorify and use it as an opinion, to serve their own manifested demands are selfish and are doing a crime against the supreme power.

So let us not stagnate the essence of our respect to prayers, let it be the course of our means of being a human being. Let not any faction, any ideology influence our ownership and right to pray and love our God, and to brethren his wishes. Let no barrier, no signs or no religious powers influence our relationship to the ultimate authority. We may shout or exclaim or be silent in our expression of our prayers, but whatever is the medium, let us not forego of our pristine urge for prayer. Before every hurdle, before every joy or difficulty, I find myself in the long line, in our school, clasping our hands and eyes closed in deep conversation with God. These are lifetime assets that should not be deprived from any child. So do not forget to pray, and do not stop communicating with almighty.

Reference

Annie Laurie Gaylor. (1995), the Freedom From Religion Foundation,  Last Retrieved on October 25, 2005 from http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/schoolprayer.php

Thomas Jefferson,(1802) , The sweeping Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, Last Retrieved on October 25, 2009.

Jay Sekulov, (2003), Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, last retrieved on October 25, 2009.

Gary Bergel, (1988), Banning Prayer in Public Schools Has Led to America’s Demise, Last retrieved on October 25, 2009 from http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0098_Ban_on_school_prayer.html