Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 18, 1994                   TAG: 9412190019
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: SAMALA KHAN BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW'

- Amendment I, U.S. Constitution

The words once inscribed by the founders of our country are in danger of being rearranged two centuries later by conservatives and right-wing Christian Republicans in Congress. A constitutional amendment restoring prayer in public schools could be voted on as early as July. Most counties in Virginia already obey the law that prohibits school-sponsored prayers at graduation ceremonies and during school. But some legislators are trying to implement a national rule for organized prayer in school.

Even those opposed to a breach of the First Amendment's careful separation of church and state can see positive reasons for a school-initiated prayer. It could give students some time to reflect upon their daily lives. Perhaps it could help a generation which has, according to the religious right, been deprived of "morals and values in public education." Supposedly, prayer in school would allow students to become more comfortable with the path of God. With evidence that a significant number of today's school kids have been led astray, school prayer looks like an attractive solution. According to Arthur Kropp, president of People for the American Way, 60 percent to 70 percent of Americans respond favorably to the idea of a school-initiated prayer.

But no matter the benefits, prayer in school is a direct violation of our First Amendment rights. How can public schools dictate the religious paths of their students? They can't, according to the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.

At Blacksburg High School, diverse populations come together for education. Such diversity would make it difficult to set one uniform prayer. Religion is a personal matter to be practiced in whatever manner one desires. Prayer doesn't belong in school. How could legislators even consider such an idea?

There is, however, a back door suggested by some politicians - a minute of silence to begin each school day. This "quiet reflection" has already been adopted in some states allowing student-initiated prayers. It would give students a moment to reflect. Some school administrators prefer this approach over a solid prayer. Others see it as a veiled attempt to further promote prayer.

Since elementary school days, we have been taught to think and act freely about religion. Now it seems as if the schools are contradicting themselves. Maybe more time should be spent teaching the importance of the freedoms our country was based on, including the right to an educational environment that included no imposition of religion. It would be hypocrisy to allow a politically active religious group to influence us to withdraw that freedom now.

Samala Khan is a senior at Blacksburg High School and editor-in-chief of the school paper, The Compendium.