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- 6 Tips for Students with Learning Disabilities Who Plan to Attend College - August 15, 2014
- Robin Williams Passing Shouldn’t be in Vain - August 12, 2014
- The Other 335 Days of the Year: Autism Awareness - May 2, 2014
- Building Self-Esteem: The Secret Ingredient to Reaching Your Learning Disability Student - February 14, 2014
- October Is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - September 24, 2013
- What Every Teacher Should Know About Teaching Students with Disabilities - August 27, 2013
- Starting the New School Year Ready for Children with Disabilities - August 13, 2013
- {Opinion Piece} Prayer Back in Schools - August 2, 2013
I confess- I am a believer in the most high God. So it comes as no surprise that I am all for prayer in school. As a young child I never had the privilege of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a morning prayer. However, there were many days as a public inner city school teacher I knew prayer was the only answer to what I faced. So many of my students had hurts and circumstances I, on my own, was powerless to heal or make better. Many of my students faced situations, to be frank, only God could heal, make better or be a source of hope.
So, when I learned that Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi signed the following into law just recently, I was overjoyed:
"…public schools to develop policies that will allow students to pray over school intercoms, at assemblies and at sporting events. While not allowing school-sanctioned prayer, the law permits students to offer public prayers with a disclaimer by the school administration."
I know many others will disagree with me on this, but I think we have misinterpreted the ‘separation of church and state.’ It was intended to keep government out of the church, and NOT the church out of the government. Think about it! Politicians of that day and for decade’s afterwards encouraged religious (Christian) education- it just wasn't mandated. Thomas Jefferson made the use of bibles in his school mandatory. The first book commissioned by congress for schools was the bible. Also, from a penny to a $100 bill, “In God We Trust” is clearly marked on every unit of U.S. Currency. Point being, prayer should have never been removed from our schools.
It wasn't until the secular movement in the 50s that faith was shoved out of schools. I think Mississippi is just opening a door to restore what should have never been taken out. This law just allows prayer, it does not sanction it. Yes, this same door opens up prayer for all, not just Christians. But I will take it!
Bravo. Amen! My hat is off to Gov. Phil Bryant.
What do you think? Should prayer be allow back into all public schools across our great country?
My parents raised me to be an atheist so I felt very uncomfortable in school when there were public prayers, and I didn’t feel good about “under God” in the pledge of allegiance. It has been my privilege to have children of many different faiths in my classroom: Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Islam, Hindu, plus some Native American relations. I am now a Christian, but the Religious Society Of Friends states that relationship with the divine is valid, whatever name you give it. Which prayers are valid? I used to pray for my students, but always in the privacy of my own heart. I believe public prayers lead to hypocrisy.