Outline On Prayer And Public School - Pros/cons

- Introduction Sentence: Until around 1962, prayer was allowed to be practiced in schools across the nation.

I - Society had no problem with school prayer before then.

A - Early America - purpose of school = religious education

1 - Virginia - only state without school prayer.

a - no tax funds for church sponsored schools.

A - Parents and students opposed to mandatory school prayer.

2 - Students leave class during prayer time

3 - Violation of first amendment rights

A - Engel vs. Vitale (decision on June 25, 1962)

2 - NYS Board of Regents (same one as today)

a - recommended each morning students recite a 'neutral' prayer.

1 - Neutral: no particular religion favored

2 - What is neural to one can be very offensiv

5 - This reading violated Establishment and Free Exercise Clause and was therefore unconstitutional - legal end to all school prayer.

a - To fully separate church and state, we would have to change our money, the pledge of allegiance, many schools graduation ceremonies, the way Congress conducts itself, the Supreme Court (begin with God Bless This Court)

2 - Prayer in school will help bring students/teachers together - common bond.

B- Abington vs. Schempp (decision on June 17, 1963)

4 - The ban did not outlaw students praying silently no matter where they were.

Some topics in this essay:
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