Should prayer of all religions be allowed in public schools or totally forbidden?

If a child wants to pray they should be able to pray , If ten chilredn, if twenty children want to pray they should pray. Nobody has a fit if they gather together and practice step, or sing, or play dubble dutch. So if some want to get together and pray they should not be forbidden. It should not be part of the curriculem or an excuse to get out of class or orchistrated by the staff, nor do I believe special time slots should be alotted because that would be obtrusive, and of course nobody should be forced to particapate

From a kid's point of view, anyone? We don't care. If we're raised religious than two choices are likely. It'll be so ingrained into us that not even the government could stop what we do. Or, we get sick of it and pull away and find something that works for us. Both are perfectly fine. But it's only adults who seem to care whether prayer is allowed in schools. I am perfectly happy to run my school life and teachers just suck, so I definately think that teachers should not lead prayers. Besides, if they added time for that than kids would have to have a longer school day. Also, if we want to pray, than we'll pray. It's our choice and if anyone has a problem with that, than they can kiss ours. If we pray, we pray to ourselves and don't involve our friends unless they want to be involved, and that isn't a lot. This sounds mostly like some b-ll sh-t that some politician drug out of the mud to support his weak a-- platform. It doesn't really matter. And a h-ll of a lot of kids will have detention if they make it so the stupid teachers lead prayers. Either that, or the kids'll run the teachers the fudge outta town. We use the law where I live to get teachers fired. lol.

Prayer and religion ARE allowed in the public schools, and should be. ORGANIZED prayer is not allowed, but there is a fundamental right to be able to pray and they can not prevent a student or group of students from doing so- they can just not have a mandatory prayer. Religious classes are also taught in many public schools, covering many religions- this does not violate any laws because they are not mandatory and because they are not establishing any one religion. I think it is good for students to learn about a variety of religions, because it can help them understand the world and the people who live in it better, and understand a lot of current events, etc. I am a Christian, and I do not want organized prayer or faith classes in public schools- I think the current set up is perfectly acceptable. Christian parents do not want the government teachign their children religion anyway.

Okay the thing about that is it really isnt right to say you cant do that because others might get offended that you are praying to YOUR god. I think all religions should be allowed. (With limits because i know some wiccans go nude to pray to their god.) The United States was based on the freedom to not have a gov't say you can or can not worship this way. allow all religions in school! in the same way i think that they should teach more than just evolution and the big bang theories. I mean we learn what indains believe about how the world came into being, why not teach us all the different ways, it isnt right to limit the education of all for the few.

Depends what you mean by prayer. Like, if it's lunch time or something, then the students should be allowed because it's their own time. As long as it does not disturb others. Whether it be silent, or something, it's ok. I've seen this guy in our school down on the way to the change room bowing down towards the wall with candles or whatever at lunch time when I was on my way down to change for a gym competition, and it was disturbing to watch someone bow down and see their behinds. And he was on a matt too...what if the candle set the mat on fire? He is also lighting a fire which is against school rules. As long as it does not endanger anyone, and does not involve conflict, I think it's alright. But it's just unnecessary to make a period for prayer. Everyone will get into conflict or feel weirded out. If it's a private school that focuses on one religion like a Catholic private school, that's a different story.

I believe that prayer should be allowed in schools. I mean the ten commandments are part of the basis of the Christian "religion"FAITH. I do not see where it is wrong to teach our children to oh say Not kill Not commit adultery ,Not lie, not covet and to obey parents. People wonder what is wrong with society today my belief is that if The children were taught in the ways of the Lord LOVE FORGIVENESS MERCY and GRACE this world might have a chance. Just my God fearing opinion.

Public prayer is not necessary and I would hope that it would not be a formal part of the public school structure. There are private schools for those who wish to practice religion as part of the school curriculum.

For most believers it is not necessary to pray verbally in public settings. No one ever stopped me from praying in a public school when I chose to simply close my eyes and say a quiet prayer.

I think the kids should be allowed to pray, but it's true, there's lot's of time to pray it's not necessary to set some time aside for prayer.

if you tried to do that, you'd have a lot of religions unhappy because their particular time that they want might not be done.

Also, if a teacher led the prayer, that would not be good, because the teacher would not be able to do it in every religion.

prayer and religion should be taught to kids at home, and taught so that kids can cope in the world.

The joke is so long as there is tests, there will always be prayer in public schools.

I don't think schools should endorse prayer. But I don't believe it is appropriate for them to forbid it either. The moment of silence in homeroom, permitting students to meditate, study, or pray, (whatever suits their fancy) I think is a fair compromise.

There is NO "separation of church and state" clause in the constitution. And completely banning all religion from public places is the complete opposite of what the "freedom of religion" clause is meant to do.

I think it's highly selfish for someone to be offended by what someone else believes.

There are not enough hours in a school day to allow all to be said outloud and school led.

Simply assigning a few minutes for silence, for a student to do as he wishes quietly, (either worship their chosen deity or not), would be more than sufficient.

Other than that, forbid all public prayer led by school officials.