Should public prayer be allowed in schools?

Prayer is a form of worship offered to God or any deity by Human Beings for seeking forgiveness for their sins, or thanking for the blessings, or any other conveyance or communication. It is directly associated with a person’s faith and belief which may or may not arise out of religious sacraments. All religions have a different set of prayers with different techniques and protocols which their followers shall abide by. Offering prayer is an individual’s personal choice.

Public Prayers in Schools

Public Prayers are those prayers which are collectively offered by men, women, and children gathered at a place. All of them have to recite or offer prayer in the exact same manner irrespective of their religions. Most of the schools, especially public schools, do not allow public prayers as in those schools no specific religion is followed and all sects of students are welcomed. However, since offering prayers to God is a person’s right to speech and expression thus, these schools do not refrain students from offering private prayers.

Why should Public Prayer be allowed in Schools?

Schools are where the fundamental and basic moral values are taught to young children. It is important to let them know and experience the concept of public prayers due to following reasons:

Offering Public Prayers from a young age would make these children neutral and tolerant towards every religion without compromising with their own religious values. This religious tolerance would eventually contribute to communal harmony and global peace.
Giving young children an opportunity to pray would help them grow morally and spiritually.
Public prayers would give school children an opportunity to come together and show the spirit of unity & togetherness.
Public prayers would also help the students to understand each other’s religions and their moral conduct effectively.
Public prayers are often sung and enacted which would also allow school children to showcase their talents and express their thoughts.

Though most constitutional and judicial authorities do not allow public prayers in schools, it is highly preferred that this must be made viable for students in schools to offer prayers together.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What are Prayers?

Prayers are a form of communication made by human beings to God or any supernatural powers they have faith in.

What are Public Prayers?

Public Prayers are those which are made by men, women, and children altogether at a church or any other place.

What are Private Prayers?

Private prayers are those which are offered by individuals privately as per their religious or personal faiths.

How can public prayers increase religious tolerance in children?

Public prayers tend to break the religious stereotypes among children at a young age, making them more comfortable about and accepting of other religions.