This controversy began back in 1962 after the Engel v. Vitale case, that state sponsored school prayer would be banned in public school systems. (ACLU: Constitutional Amendment...par. 19) Since this ruling, the rules regarding school prayer have been clarified. The First Amendment allows students to freely express themselves religiously but also separates it from government-sponsored religion. (Riley, par. 5) Students have the right to pray while not involved in

I understand that many people feel that mandatory prayer violates a person’s First Amendment rights, but I personally think that there is nothing wrong with voluntary prayer. After September 11, all anyone wanted to do was pray. I do not understand how prayer in school could hurt. However, if a student does not wish to participate in the prayer, it is their right not to.

However, school officials have been given the right to intervene if a student’s religious speech results in harassment towards another student or group. (ACLU: Church and State par 16) House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, proposed an amendment that stated:

Now lawmakers in Washington D.C. are attempting to pass a bill that would “take federal funds from school districts that unlawfully restrict school prayer.” (Associated Press par 1) If this bill passes, it would be the first time federal funds were in conjunction with guidelines regarding school prayer. (Associated Press par 2) If a school is receiving federal funds, then they must allow groups to use any kind of school media, from the newspaper to the public address system, to announce meetings just as any other group would. The school does however reserve the right to tell the students which groups are not sponsored by the school itself. (Riley: Religious Exp. par 18) The secretary of the Department of Education, Richard w. Riley, states that

The Florida and Texas courts ruled that voluntary prayer at school events is allowed as long as it does not involve any kind of school official or teacher. (Essex par 2)

The First Amendment now contains an Establishment Clause that allows the “Establishment Clause,” which allows students the right to private religious speech and it also allows students to participate in group prayer at school just as they would engage in other activity. (Riley: Religious Expression par1) The Establishment Clause also prohibits school officials from organizing prayer at such activities as graduation or baccalaureate ceremonies. (Riley: Religious Expression par 5) While teach

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