Do We Have a Right to Public Prayer?

When this country was founded many years ago, church and state were two things that went hand in hand. Christian principles were the foundation for this country. However, it is also known that many things that went on years ago such as slavery, racism, and discrimination of certain people also took place during these times when Christianity was supposed to be the backbone of this country. That just goes to show that although you may have a foundation, there can still be cracks in the surface.

Over the years there have been many changes that have led to a separation of church and state. Roe vs. Wade legalized abortions in the United States. For many people, this was a victory because it allowed them to act based on their own views rather than the views of those who had founded this country many years before. Other have and still express opposition to this ruling are fighting to make some serious reforms in abortion laws.

Another issue that has come up has been the issue of saying The Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms of public schools. The line that most people who oppose this pledge have a problem with is the one that states "One nation under God." As it is known, not everyone believes in God. Although this country was founded on Christian principles, there are several different religions that are practiced in this country today. Some parents who are raising children who are not Christian do not want their child to have to stand and say a pledge when God is not the one they worship.

In addition to some opposing views on The Pledge of Allegiance, many people are against public prayer in schools. There have been some instances in certain public schools where teachers were told to refrain from using any religious context in the classroom with their students. Arguments have been made that prayers should not be said in public school or before public ceremonies or sporting events. It has been argued that church and state should be separated. Some people who do not follow the Christian faith feel offended when they are at an event where a public prayer is said or The Pledge of Allegiance is recited. Others just choose not to participate but don't seem to be offended.

During times of public prayer, no one is forced to pray to God or even believe in the prayer that is being said. If they so choose, they can pray to whomever they worship or choose to forgo participating in that particular part of the ceremony. Since prayer is often considered a private thing, people argue that it should be done in private and kept from any public ceremonies where all of those in attendance aren't of the same faith.

My personal stance of public prayer is one that is in favor of it; however, with that being said I am not suggesting that anyone's beliefs should be forced on another. My take on public prayer isn't consistent with the thought that Christian beliefs are being crammed down anyone's throat because participation is completely voluntary. In instances where one is in a country that is based on a religion such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism or some other religious beliefs, if practices were to be performed in a public setting it should just be accepted as part of their beliefs. In no way does it imply that you should convert to their beliefs nor does it insult your own personal beliefs.

I have heard arguments that Christians are trying to convert everyone to believe the same as they do. I do not believe this is a fair stance to take against all Christians. While there may be some who try to preach to others about what is right or wrong, myself and a host of others follow the biblical belief of "Judge not lest ye also be judged." It is not my place to tell someone what they should or shouldn't believe. I believe that everyone is entitled to practice and worship whatever or whoever it is that they want.

With that being said, I don't think public prayer is necessarily a bad thing. It can be a time where people take a moment to pray to whoever it is they choose. When prayers are said at sporting events or other public events, it is not done with the intent of downgrading another's religion. Just for stating my opinion on public prayer and some other issues, I have been bashed by those who felt differently. My opinion should not in any way, shape, or form effect the opinion of another. I am not trying to get people to see things my way, I am just exercising my right to believe and speak as I want to. I have been criticized for believing in the Bible which many think is a fiction book written by men. Criticizing one another for a difference of beliefs gets us nowhere. I would not look down on another for choosing to read the Torah or Koran. If they are finding truth in it then who am I to argue with them for what they believe? We all have the constitutional right to freedom of religion which seems to also protect the right to say a prayer in a public setting.

Getting rid of religious books in public schools or forbidding the teaching of anything with a religious context is not the way to go. You don't have to be a follower of a certain religion to learn about it. I myself have researched many religions that I do not and would not follow. It is called education. For those students who believe in Creation, they were not excused from learning about evolution in the classroom. Banning one thing without banning everything that people may disagree with is unfair. I personally do not believe that human beings evolved from monkeys but while I was in school I was taught this. Did I protest? Did my mother go to court in order to get evolution from being taught to students who believed in Creation? Absolutely not. I just accepted what I was taught as the belief of some people and left it at that. In no way did it alter my beliefs or negatively affect them in anyway. When I see people who live in America which is supposed to represent the land of the free and they turn their backs on the American flag during The Pledge of Allegiance, I think that is an act of disrespect to the nation that they are living in. Sure they might not have been born in this country but they did come here for a reason and the customs and beliefs of a place should be respected even if they differ from your own.