Cross posted at MN Progressive Project
So, I have been seeing a lot of concern that prayer is not allowed in public schools. There is an hypothesis floating around that praying in schools would somehow end massacres. I would just like to clarify this, as someone who works in a public school.
You can, and kids do, absolutely pray in public school. In fact, it is illegal to stop a kid from paying in public school as long as it is not disruptive to the school day or other kids. Pray at lunch. Pray when you go to the bathroom. Pray at passing time. Pray with your buddies. You can pray in school. Our beloved constitution protects your kids from me telling them they cannot pray.
Now, what is illegal is organized religion in public school. This protects all religions. If you want "organized prayer" back in school, then you will also have to accept things like the Junior Varsity Jihadists, The Future Zionists of America, The Chrisitian Crusaders Club, and the Buddhist Battle Ball Team.
When you open the door to government sponsored religion, and we are government employees, it means whoever is in power gets to choose.. You may get the lords prayer today, but your grandchildren may be praying five times a day towards Mecca and it will be your fault because you wanted to break down the wall separating and protecting your religious freedom from government.
Your kids can pray in school. The constitution just makes sure that I, as a government employee, cannot tell them what to pray. I think that is a darn good thing. If you want me to tell your kids how to pray, let me know.
So, please be honest. You do not want prayer back in school. You want your god and your religion back in school. This should scare all religious folks because it will set a precedent. Whoever is in political power gets to put their religion in your kids school.