THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412140446
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J6 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 162 lines
Last week we published your replies to the Nov. 27th column by Kathleen Parker of The Orlando Sentinel who wrote that instituting prayer in the schools might be worthwhile. ``In the face of rising statistics regarding teen pregnancy, adolescent murder, child-perpetrated armed robbery or rape, what have we got to lose?'' she asked.
Here are more of your responses.
YES
I think people in public school should be allowed to pray freely. I think it may bring down the violence. I also think it might improve the image of public schools in the eyes of their critics.
Zack Young
Virginia Beach
I don't think we have anything to lose if we allow prayer in public schools. After all, it certainly wouldn't make violence and crime go up, would it?
Heather A Elford
Norfolk
I think voluntary prayer in schools will create a moral climate that will reduce teen social problems. I think our children have been denied a very important right.
E.B.West
Exmore
I enjoyed and was inspired reading your commentary. I want to go on record as being in favor of voluntary prayer in school. We need it badly. One only has to take a look at the newspaper to see how much we could use this.
Thelma Lane
Virginia Beach
Throughout American history, God played such a healthy and wisdom-filled part in the ``construction'' of this nation. That is, until we decided we were too sophisticated to need him. Why is it that we can't learn from the past? Over and over, throughout time, He gives His faithful the strength and abundance of life, only to have the very same people let Him go.
Yes - a resounding yes - to prayer in the schools as a way to allow the same religious freedom and respect to the Almighty that was once a very important part of this nation's fiber. I see no connection with Church and State in this gesture of what is the cornerstone of our heritage as it is not forced on anyone. Can it be said that we have benefited in the least by banning it?
Clayshia Willis Mackie
Franktown
Voluntary prayer in public schools will create a moral and spiritual climate that will lead to a reduction in teen violence, teen pregnancy and other social problems.
It has been nearly 50 years since I was a student in the public school system. Fifty years ago teachers were free to open their classes with prayer, or to ask for voluntary student prayer. Prayer was an important initial function of the activities of the day.
In elementary schools in the forties the country school board hired a teacher to instruct twice a month in biblical principles: among those principles, the right of voluntary prayer was exercised.
The tenants of education have changed in the last 50 years. But the need of moral and spiritual values are cognizant today in any educational and social structure. Today truth is often determined as a relative commodity, not as an absolute permanent quality. Therefore, how society values truth will affect its ethical, moral and spiritual concepts which undergird truth.
Moral and spiritual values should be predominately taught in the home and in the church, but should these values be negated in our public schools? I don't believe so.
The rise of violence in our nation has declined to some degree, but among teens there is a rise in pregnancy, adolescent murder, robbery and rape.
If a nation ever needed school prayer, it must be our nation. Today, children and youth need moral and spiritual guidance in their lives more than any time in our nation's history.
Harold Eason
Virginia Beach
Prayer in school would help eliminate violence while also boosting student self-confidence. You cannot wrongly involve religion, any time! Prayer in school would not involve religious discrimination. It would not have to be a Christian prayer, a Catholic prayer or a Muslim prayer - just a prayer. Each day should begin with a prayer!
Carrie Godley
Virginia Beach
NO
I feel the rising statistics in teen pregnancies, adolescent murder, rape and crime in general is caused by the lack of prayer in the home, not at school. The same people who are yelling for prayer in schools will not lead their children in prayer at home or even think of having daily devotion at home with their family.
Public schools have a multitude of races, colors, and religious beliefs. So whose prayers are going to be used? Some people's prayers can take hours, and several times daily. Our teachers are overworked as it is. Why burden them with teaching religion.
I cannot find anything in the Bible to support ``prayer in public schools.'' It seems to indicate prayer at home more. Politicians use ``prayer in school'' to give them the image of living ``spiritually and morally righteous'' for their own image.
If we get a constitutional amendment allowing prayer in school, devil worshipers will be allowed their prayer also. How would you like your child to learn to worship the devil at school? Remember, things of the devil are attractive and easy to fall into.
I think we should all lead our children in prayer at home and send a better student to school. This is how we can fight crime.
Joe C. Taylor
Norfolk
There should not be prayer in public schools. If you want to pray, do it at home during your spare time. You should not make other people suffer just because you want to pray. There are a lot of religious people, but there are also many people who hate to pray. If you want to pray, go to a private school. Please do not make everyone suffer just to satisfy your needs.
Kim Guntle
Virginia Beach
Prayer in school is a very bad idea. A lot of people are against it. Besides, why bother? Prayer in public schools will have no effect on violence, teen pregnancy or other social problems. Teens must work on these problems on their own, in their own homes and in their own churches.
Michael Porter
Virginia Beach
Religion should not be introduced into the public schools. It should remain in the churches. Prayer is every American's choice but because of the many odd religions practiced in different families, prayer does not belong in the public schools.
Eric Stevens
Virginia Beach
Children come to school to learn, not to pray. Some are not Christians. It may be unbelievable, but some children do not believe in God. They should not be forced to pray in school!
Louise Lockett
Virginia Beach
I am a Christian, yet I do not think that I need to pray at school. Instead, I pray at home and at church. Praying at school would be unfair to non-Christian children.
Amanda Currie
Virginia Beach
Prayer has no place schools! It might help teens avoid violence and other problems but, what about the students who do not believe in God? They have rights too. They should not be forced to participate in religious activities.
Jason Norman
Virginia Beach
Voluntary prayer in the public school will not create a moral climate. However, it could create more violence as some kids would joke others because of their beliefs. Teen pregnancy would not go down or, if it did, it would not be because teens prayed in school.
What prayer in school would do is wrongly involve religion. Some families are not religious at all. As a result, it might make some kids uncomfortable.
Jodi Yates
Virginia Beach
I totally disagree with voluntary prayer. If you want your child to pray, ship them to a private school where they can pray anytime they'd like. I would also like to say that not everyone is of the same religion. That is what makes this world unique. The whole point of the ``moment of silence,'' a right everyone in public schools enjoys, is for your child to pray without offending anyone else. Let's keep it that way.
Shawn Jackson
Virginia Beach by CNB