Too Often, Schools Choose Censorship Over Religious Expression

Leanne (Hassenplug)

Claren (Olson)

Riley:although my school does not censor religion very much, I know that many schools do. Schools have no right to tell students they cannot discuss religion with eachother; it is taking away a constitutional right of freedom of expression. I agree that religion shouldn't be forced onto students by staff, but as far as students who are required to be at school, they should be able to say what they want without being hushed. In the case of the girl giving a speech, that is just plain wrong. Unless explicit words are said, the girl shouldn't be censored for talking about her faith.

Kaylin: Of course prayer should be allowed in public schools, as long as the students and/or teachers are respecting the people around them. Even if the school decides to ban prayer, they cannot really stop the person from praying. They can stop group prayers and prayer meetings and things, but prayer can be done without anyone knowing. At any school that I have been to, no one is forced to pray. There are special lunch meetings or meetings before school for anyone who would like to attend. Prayer is optional for everyone, but it should definitely be allowed.

Kaylin: By censoring a high school valedictorian speech, the school is stripping the student away from any of their rights protected by the Constitution. Also, students and teachers should have the same privileges and rights when it comes to prayer in school. They are protected under the same Constitution and rights. If teachers want to pray, then they shouldn't be denied.

Grayson: To censor prayer in schools is a direct violation of freedom of speech. People should have the right to pray, unless it becomes a major problem to where it distracts those around him/her. As long as no major problems are arising in prayer, there is absolutely no reason why prayer should be dismissed.

It's Not About Prayer; It's About Evangelism 

Kaylin: Maybe teachers shouldn't try to teach religion in school through student led prayer just because it brings up so much controversy in public schools, but that doesn't mean that prayer shouldn't be allowed. Prayer should be able to be an option for students any time. If students ask teachers for religious help or ask them questions, then they should be allowed to teach that student.

Riley:I do agree that if prayer happens in public schools, then yes there will be students trying to convert eachother and all that jazz. But that happens without prayer too, with clubs for different religions. Prayer and moments of silence won't interfere with people's rights, no matter what religion they are. Even atheists and different religions other that Christianity want moments of silence where they can reflect on the day or pray to individual idols. It seems that all of this arguement argues against Christianity, but its not just us that would want prayer.

Leanne: Riley I do agree with you.  Everyone has their own reflection time and rights should be given to all people, not just Christians.  And evangalism cannot be stopped, so their effort is useless

Kaylin: I agree that no matter if prayer is in schools or not, other religions will be spread around the school throughout clubs and groups. No matter how hard authorities try to take religion and prayer out of schools it will be very difficult. Also, I do not think that it is fair that Christianity is often jeopardized, while other religions are allowed.

Grayson:Whoever said that a prayer is becoming a religious movement needs to re-think that. Just because a person prays, does not mean he's trying to start this huge religious/evangelistic movment. It's just a private time he/she needs. I believe people are making too big of a deal about prayer and in turn it appears to be evangelism. They are two seperate concepts. Prayer cannot be stopped. I believe teachers shouldn't be allowed to have broad spiritual discussions about religion/prayer, due to the fact that, yes, there are people who could get offended. But this also dosen't mean that prayer needs to cease completely either. You have to see both sides of the story...

Student-Initiated Prayer is a Protected Form of Free Speech

 Maria B. (OLSON)

Riley:it's completely true that students should be allowed to pray in school, i'm completely for that, and i have prayed in school before. However, i've heard the saying "my rights end where your nose begins" and i completely agree. Yes i have the right to pray, but the other students have a right to not have to listen, so i should respect them by praying quietly to myself.

Kaylin: The issue of speaking any type of religion during graduation has been taken too far. The speech is about the student and they should be able to say what they want. Religion may have been what have guided them through school and they have to the right to say whatever they want as long as what they say is not vulgar or disrespectful.

Grayson: To give full use of the First Amendment, prayer significantly should be allowed. It gives a person a sense of mind and gives him/her time recollect his/her thoughts. Unless this person disrupts other fellow students, there is no reason prayer should not be allowed in schools.

Leanne  As the Supreme Court has decided that a religious affliation or acknowledgment of a "God" by a faculty/staff member of a school as unconstitutional, who is to say that the students themselves should be a part of that clause? Students, though they may be denied some of their constitutional rights, such as the search and seizure clause, this does not restrict their right to freedom of expression. Who says a student should not be able to discuss religion or bring up a controversial aspect involving religion? No one. As long as the teacher remains the devil's advocate, the students should be free to debate as they so choose.As the Supreme Court has decided that a religious affliation or acknowledgment of a "God" by a faculty/staff member of a school as unconstitutional, who is to say that the students themselves should be a part of that clause? Students, though they may be denied some of their constitutional rights, such as the search and seizure clause, this does not restrict their right to freedom of expression. Who says a student should not be able to discuss religion or bring up a controversial aspect involving religion? No one. As long as the teacher remains the devil's advocate, the students should be free to debate as they so choose.

Chantz:

Group Prayer

Just as the article stated the First Amendment protects free speech. Not only privately but also in a group of students such as the event "See you at the Pole". The constitution also says we have religous freedom, but if they take away the right to pray in school wouldn't that be contradicting what they're telling us we can do?

Religious Freedom Suffers

     Sean

Riley:By students praying in school, religious freedom is being strengthened, not hurt. The problem is that some students force others to participate in prayer, which does hinder freedoms granted by the constitution. Also, if prayer is played over an intercom system or recited by a homeroom teacher, then some student's rights would come to an end. However, prayer should be allowed in schools just like in the rest of the country.

Kaylin: Everyone DOES have their own beliefs, but I don't think by teachers sharing religion that it really causes religious freedom to suffer.

Grayson: By allowing prayer in school , in no way should religious freedom suffer. It's a personal choice. And if it becomes a problem, then it may be hindering religious freedom. But otherwise, it should not be a disturbance, but a personal private prayer. It should not make religious freedom suffer

Too Often, Schools Choose Censorship Over Religious Expression  

Sarah C: 

Laura

About the court case...

presently making it's way through the system: I think that if someone referenced God in my graduation speech I may be offended. Not that I am not "anti - religion" or anything, I just do not think that God should come up when being addressed to the whole student body in a manner, that crosses the line.

Leanne: (Laura)  While I understand that you may be offended by this action, I do not believe it crosses the line.  No one can be totally unbiased.  If religion was a large part of this students then I comend them for expressing their beliefs in their speech.  Although she may have been adresing the entire student body it was still her speech that she wrote and she has the freedom to write and say what she believes. 

Teachers Don't Surrender Their, Rights When They Enter Public Education

Kaylin: Because teachers step into the field of teaching does not mean that they must surrender their rights. They still have the same freedom of speech and religion as the students have. It may not be good for a teacher to lead a group prayer because they may offend some students, but they should be able to have the same freedom to pray during their day. Also, they can lead voluntary prayer groups and meetings for any students who chose to participate in these prayer groups. As far as the coaches praying with their team, I believe that is fine as long as the team agrees that they should. Ever since I can remember, my team has prayed before every game. If someone disagreed, they wouldn't have to participate or we would stop. 

Kaylin: If teachers can engage in prayer and religious activities freely with other teachers, then why can't they do the same with students? I believe that is unfair.

Riley:teachers don't lose any basic rights at all, but they should respect their students. If a teacher wants to pray, then they can, and if they're close to a few of their students, then why not pray together?.. but as far as requiring the whole class to participate, that's wrong. As a christian and a student who is close to a few teachers, i would personally love to pray with my leaders, but it seems like people are against that and anything having to do with religion in public schools, no matter if it's Christianity or Islam or no religion at all..

Grayson: Teachers are not surrendering their rights when they enter public education. In some perspectives, they are stepping into a new world, and in turn setting an example. That dosen't mean that they should over-emphasize prayer more than something else, but it does mean that if they choose to pray, they should be able to, because of rights of Freedom of Speech. As long as teachers don't make a scene about prayer, they have the same rights as students do.

Leanne:  There should not be an issue having teachers partake in religious activities unless it disrupts the teaching of the class. In public schools teachers teach their students without and bias. They share the same rights as students.