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Morgan Harcha
Dr. Hakala
ENGL 1105
April 13, 2016
Let us pray?
Picture being a child in Elementary school again. Everyone can remember saying the
pledge of allegiance with the rest of their classmates, as well having prayer. While doing this,
one would think that nothing is wrong with just reciting what everyone else in the United States
says, one would think that there wouldnt be any issue. According to the article The voluntary
school prayer debate: A separationist perspective, author Keith Durso claims prayer should be
more touched upon in public schools like it used to, including the Pledge of Allegiance.. The
pledge isnt a prayer however people treat it as if it is. Its easy to understand why prayer would
not be allowed in schools being that there are many different religions. However, it is also
understandable why some parents want their children to have prayer in school for many reasons.
Some parents as well as other people in general think it should be mandatory that children have
prayer while at school. It is completely wrong to force a child to pray when its a possibility that
isnt their own religion especially if that child has to be excluded from specific activities in the
classroom. Children should not have to be left out for any reason.
In the article that I have chosen, there are many different viewpoints on how and why
prayer should be allowed in public schools, and why parents are willing to argue and fight to
bring back religion in their childrens lives. This particular article did not seem to make much

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sense, however, this article is basically pointing out the different opinions parents hold on this
topic as well as bringing government involved in the situation. Different viewpoints are brought
in with this specific article focusing mainly on prayer needing to be there in public schools. This
article determines whether the United States Constitutions Establishment Clause bestows on
Congress the authority to promote religious activities in public schools. Basically, this article
describes the motives that are for and even against prayer to be held in public schools. Even
though this is true, the article is still favoring how prayer should be mandatory in public schools.
The other side of the argument is just being brought up just for the sake of showing that there is a
valid argument being presented.
It makes sense that parents want only the best for their children and the fact that they
would do anything for their child is very important. Although this is true, some parents need to
realize that not every single child has the same religious views. In the article Religion,
Advocacy Coalitions , and the Politics of U.S. Public Schooling, by Catherine Lugg, these
specific views are being brought up. This article is completely for having all children at a young
age pray the same form of prayer because they are young children and they will never know any
different. It only matters when they reach a certain age to learn about prayer, and what religion
is practiced heavily in their home life. Reading this particular article shocks me just because of
this viewpoint.
It is bad enough that in the article I chose to refute it mentions having children being left
out in public schools that do not pray. This next article adds on even more invalid claims that all
children from different backgrounds pray the same way. The vibe that comes across to me in this
article is that Lugg thinks children do not learn and practice the same religion when they grow

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up. More than likely children are going to remember everything at an elementary age level, and
even so, remember what religion was taught to them influencing them even more. I can still
remember almost everything that was said as well as learned from that age. When children are
this young, everything that happens to them they are capable of absorbing. So like it or not, the
religion that any child this age is going to be taught, they will practice the same religion when
they become older more than likely. Having children supposed to practice a certain form of
prayer when in elementary school is just something that should not be considered. There are
more negative outcomes of practicing prayer in public schools than positive and it is the truth.
Many articles are on the internet about how prayer in public schools is such a positive
aspect, but all of the reasons that are explained seem to be completely incorrect with no valid
explanations. However, there are other articles that are on the same side like me that are for the
argument no public school should promote one single type of prayer and religion. There are sites
such as 7 reasons why we need prayer back in schools and this specific article gives valid
reasons that make sense to that individual, but the information that is being backed up does not
seem to fit very well in other peoples opinions. In fact, the information in this article makes the
argument seem more valid on the opposing side bringing in how religion is different for
everyone, which is why prayer should not be in public schools.
I go to church on Sundays and I pray every day, however, I do believe that if parents are
complaining about prayer not being included in their education, then they might as well go to a
different school that is fully supportive of that religion and practices that particular religion. It is
not the particular school that the child attends job to make sure they get the exact religion that
each parent wants them to get. I fully think that we live in a time now where prayer should not be

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encouraged in public classrooms. There are way too many religions out there and times have sure
changed with prayer. An example would be if there is a private catholic school that teaches the
same classes as public schools do, then that is the better alternative. There is no need for parents
to get upset about the way religion is not included when there are schools with the opportunity
for both studies and religion. Being in a public school should just require learning the mandatory
material rather than religious material. This Durso article mentions this same idea with the fact
being there are other opportunities for children to get the right educations with also prayer or
their specific religion teachings. Parents always seem to get so worked up about religion and
how it needs to be taught in public schools, but why?
Prayer is so important to some people and parents want their children to have the same
exact beliefs as they do. That is why some parents get carried away when it comes to making
sure that their kids get the proper education on both prayer and religion. There are alternatives
that those individuals can do that will only make sense if they are dealing with having their child
receive the proper education along with religion. Even with not stating the pledge, this is just
how the rules were altered.
Bringing in another side of argument in the Durso article; is the pledge of allegiance
being banned from everyday teachings a problem? Durso claims that the pledge of allegiance is
categorized along with prayer and it might as well be one because of how it is no longer
allowed to be said everyday in public classrooms. Even though this is true for most classrooms,
some schools still do say the pledge and some teachers might allow their students to say it in that
specific classroom only. I find flaws in this statement being that just because of the words under
God the pledge is banned. The pledge was not regarded like this when I went through

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elementary school, so I do find it a little shocking that the pledge is an issue. However, I do see
the prayer in classrooms being such an important issue that is logical for not being allowed due
to the many other religions out there. The pledge is slightly different from prayer in general, so
individuals should not even be so worked up about the situation.
In this world there are always going to be many different controversies about everything
no matter what it may be. There will always be two sides to every story and for the most part, not
everyone will agree on all of the same things being stated. Prayer is such a touchy subject
anymore and it is just best for everyone that all forms or religion be respected. There is a time
and a place for any type of practice for a specific religion. Children should above all be
comfortable in classrooms as well. They shouldnt have to be excluded if they do not practice the
same religion as other children do, which is a good reason as to why prayer is not such a good
idea for public schools. Even though I do pray and attend church regularly, I understand that
there are other religions out there and other individuals have their own beliefs. That being said,
it is super important that individuals respect all religions and just do what will benefit others very
strongly, and that is not holding a specific form of prayer in classrooms.

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Works Cited
Durso, Keith. The voluntary school prayer debate: A separationist perspective.
Journal of Church & State 36.1 (2015): n. pag. Web. 28 March 2016.
Lugg, Catherine. Religion, Advocacy Coalitions, and the Politics of U.S. Public
Schooling. Educational Policy 23.1 (2009): n. pag. Web. 28 March 2016.
Phillips, Genice. 7 Reasons We Need Prayer Back in Schools. Journal of
Church & State 11.1 (2014): n.pag. Web. 28 March 2016.