Student Led Prayers and Moments of Silence in Public Schools

1. Student Led Prayers and Moments of Silence in Public Schools

2. 1962 • Praying out loud in an organized way is against the First Amendment

3. 2000 • A Texas high school had prayer over the loud speaker at a football game • The Supreme Court decided this was unconstitutional

4. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in Georgia • Banners with Bible passages before varsity football games • Cheerleaders and football players supported this idea • School board was afraid of being sued so they banned this tradition

5. Sports • Teams should be able to have the support of their community • If a team wants to pray for a safe game then they should be allowed to

6. Alabama • Passed a law allowing time in school for “meditation or voluntary prayer” • This was no longer allowed because the reason behind the moment of silence was prayer

7. People and Religion • 78.4% of people in the United States are Christians • 16.1% of people aren’t associated with a religion

8. Everyday Life • Prayer has been always been a part of many people’s lives • Adults and children pray about many things and should be able to organize community prayer even in public schools

9. Science • Evolution and the Big Bang Theory are taught in schools • These theories aren’t proven facts and won’t be banned from schools

10. Moment of Silence • Doesn’t require anything specific • Allows time for… • Remembering a deceased person’s life • Looking back on an important event • Praying • Reflecting on the day

11. Student Led Prayers • Praying together is • Voluntary • Not promoted by the school • Agreed on by the students

12. Many Religions • Prayer is a huge part of many different religions • There are many people in a public school community who pray

13. Public vs. Private • Private • Religious classes are taken • School has an established religion • Public • No required religious classes • No religion is established

14. Public Schools • If all the students in the school agree with having a moment of silence or prayer, it should be allowed. • If someone has an objection they should tell the school and then something can be done.

15. Religion in Society • Huge part of everyday life • Provides supportive communities • Friends and families can connect in a spiritual way

16. Citations • http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/yourhoustonnews.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/8/73/4c0/8734c0e8-65d3-5565-80e4-0c75b23987de-revisions/4ce8b2d0604cc.preview-300.jpg • http://www.coronadoschools.com/files/2010/07/private-vs.-public-school.jpg • http://davidmcanulty.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/prayer.jpg • http://depletedcranium.com/evolutionisatheory.jpg • http://reds.enquirer.com/2002/06/23/biggio_zoom.jpg • http://www.rwf2000.com/gifs/PrayBoy2.jpg • "Statistics on Religion In America Report." The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2011. <http://religions.pewforum.org/reports>. • http://thescroogereport.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/cheerleaders2.jpg?w=604&h=403 • http://www.urbanchristiannews.com/ucn/medina-valley-high-school-graduation-PRAYER.jpg • http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3786767/Family_praying_together_SMP0012068.jpg • http://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Large/69615/evt100818205300061.jpg • http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nCT0ylbc5hE/TUvEqjB5rSI/AAAAAAAADgo/5fCDDaQpGUw/s1600/fbpray.jpg