Prayer in School Essay Example for Free

Prayer in School EssayJohn Knox Press, 1996. 45-218. In this book the author gives an epic description of the controversy surrounding the debate on postulation in public schools. It touches on the legitimate aspects as well as the interpretation of among former(a) articles the first amendment. passage steering uses history and preceding events to bring come out of the closet his tilt against orison in public schools terming the practice as an abuse and harassment of the minority by the majority who ar keen on imposing their proclaim definition of faith. He asserts that the law on first amendment religion issues has adequately and consistently clarified the differences that embody between church and invoke.He cited some cases such as Barnette, McCollum, Everson, Engel and Schempp to mention but a few as having set precedence thus preventing future conflict. However, one reads anti Christianity overtones which bring up the chief of objectivity due to his obvious bias. H e has successfully presented one side of the debate with a personalized tone. The book strongly opines that any form of religious inclinations in public schools is incompatible with the constitution as well as with the principle of democracy. Murray, J. William. Let us solicit A plea for prayer in our school. New YorkWilliam Morrow Co, 1995. 11-97. In the first pages of his interesting book, Murray tells of his atheist past that was directed by his mother Madalyn Murray and how he, as a 14 year old was a plaintiff against the Baltimore School system. The suit led to the self-governing Courts decision that outlawed public school prayer and bible reading. Murray later converts to Christianity and embarks on a agency aimed at undoing the damage done by his past. He becomes a strong proponent of prayer in Schools arguing that this is the one way of rooting out the moral decay in the society.Among other arguments, he presents the debate as conflicting provocations. The discomfort o f minority faiths or nonbelievers at hearing prayer in school versus the discomfort of Protestant Christians at being prohibited from public prayer. He allows that the drafters of the constitution are misinterpreted by those who claim that they intended to eradicate prayer from public institutions. Rather, he cites authoritative figures such as John Locke and Tocqueville as strong believers in the place of prayer in providing positive(p) guidance to the society.His recommendations are however weak since the freedom he seeks could be confused with what is provided for in the constitution. once again the founding fathers he cites are understood to have given us the sure laws and so his recruitment them undermines his very argument. Cookson, Catharine. adjust Religion The Courts and the Free Exercise Clause. New York Oxford University Press, 2000. 54, 67-75. In this book, Catherine Cookson delves into the issues of the law and the authority of state as laid down in the constitut ion on one hand and the obligations of conscience on the other.She embarks on a project to provide the solution for a recurrent problem. She examines the history of the Christian custom as well as more contemporary political development of religious freedom (186). Her argument on the free exercise clause is vivid and thought provoking as she seeks the balance between the majoritys right to religious expression and public prayer and the minoritys discomfort arising from that kind of expression. U. S Department of Education. Guidance on constitutionally Protected Prayer in normal Elementary and Secondary Schools.Available on-line at http//www. ed. gov/insurance/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance. html Accessed on 12. 04. 07. This article deals with the legal aspect of the debate on prayer in schools. The article endeavors to provide information on the current state of the law concerning constitutionally protected prayer in the public schools, and therefore spell out the exte nt to which prayer in public schools is lawfully protected. The Case against School Prayer. Available online at http//209. 85. 135. 104/hunt? q=cacheRTckL_PUwSEJffrf.org/nontracts/schoolprayer. php+prayers+in+schoolhl=enct=clnkcd=1gl=ke. Accessed on 12. 04. 07. In this article the author delves into the arguments against school prayer. The author advances the argument that prayers are private and yet there is nothing private about a public school. Therefore the dickens are incompatible and should not mix. He/She asserts that public schools cater for students with varying backgrounds and religious inclinations and they should not be subjected to rules that promote one form of religious expression.According to the author of the article, Public prayer leads to discrimination of the minority and a denial of their right to worship. The article refutes the claim that prayer in school has any value in checking societal excesses. The conclusion calls for total separation of church and stat e arguing that this is one way of preventing divisiveness in the society.Works CitedCampbell, Ted A. Christian Confessions A Historical Introduction. Louisville, KY Westminster John Knox Press, 1996. Questia. 12 Apr. 2007 http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=87116157. Cookson, Catharine. Regulating Religion The Courts and the Free Exercise Clause. New York Oxford University Press, 2000. Questia. 12 Apr. 2007 http//www. questia. com/PM. qst? a=od=104449729. Murray, J. William. Let us pray A plea for prayer in our school. New York William Morrow Co, 1995. U. S Department of Education. Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. Available on-line at http//www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html Accessed on 12.04.07