The one place where prayer is not normally permitted is in the classroom itself when a class is in session. The latter would violate the principle of church-state separation which is defined by court interpretations of the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The separation principle is extended to Public Schools as an arm of the government. As interpreted by the courts, the Constitution's First Amendment requires that public school teachers, principals, and boards be religiously neutral:
- They may not promote a particular religion as being superior to any other.
- They may not promote religion in general as superior to a secular approach to life.
- They may not promote secularism in general as superior to a religious approach to life.
- They many not be antagonistic to religion in general or a particular religious belief in particular.
- They may not be antagonistic to secularism.
- They must neither advance nor inhibit religion.
I really like this guidelines because it clarifies what people say about religion in the classroom. As this is particularly for public schools, I agree with what is stated and it reminds me about the Articles of Faith 1:11 which states" We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may".
Please leave any comments - opinions or facts - on this post if any!=D
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