Where in the US Constitution does it forbid the saying of prayers in public schools?

Question

I don't see it in the first amendment.

US Constitution: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Answer 1

There's not a problem if you pray silently.

Answer 2

But only if you're praying to the god YOU say is the real god, right?

Answer 3

The Supremes determined that the very amendment , to which you refer. prohibits the saying of prayers in school. Schools are government entities and, therefore, what they do has the force of law in so far as students are concerned. The amendment says that he congress ( the schools in this case) cannot establish a religion. Allowing prayer in svchools is tantamount to establishing a religion and compelling some people to follow it or to be made uncomfortable.

If I were an atheist I might be uncomfortable saying a prayer in school and, if I refused, I'd  could be singled out for abuse by those who did say prayers.

I personally think that's a stretch but the Supreme Court chose to err on the side of safety saying that there is no compelling public interest in saying prayers in school.

Answer 4

It is allowed. Kids can pray as much as they like. All that is not allowed is having the school force, lead or sanction prayers, as that would violate the establishment clause.  

Answer 5

It does not say that anywhere in the Constitution but the American Communism League Union got the judges that like to make law believe it and have convinced everyone else that it does.

Answer 6

The Constitution does not specifically ban the saying of prayers in public schools. The Constitution is interpreted by the courts. The courts have ruled that the Constitution protects everyone's freedom of religion. That means you have the right to pray or not pray, according to your own beliefs. The courts have ruled that a person must not be forced to pray if it is against his/her belief. A person may not be forced to hear a prayer or a passage from the Bible or any other religioius book if it is against that student's beliefs. Schools may allow for time set aside where a student may choose to pray or not. These are sometimes called "a moment of silence" during morning announcements. It is similar to saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. A student has the right to say the Pledge, but a student cannot be forced to say the Pledge if he/she choses not to say the Pledge.  

Answer 7

The constitution does not forbid the saying of prayers in schools.

Answer 8

There is no law against students praying in school on their own. However, teacher led, school sanctioned prayer would seem to violate the establishment clause by seeming to acknowledge a state religion.  

Answer 9

I think its because not everyone in schools are catholic and have diffrent religons.

Answer 10

I'm glad to see so many people answered this question right.  

The Constitution certainly doesn't prohibit prayer in school.  If you want to bow your head before a test and ask God to help you, there's no problem with that, so long as you don't disrupt the class.  Actually the Constitution PROTECTS your right to pray, it says the govt. can't interfere with your free exercise of religion.

(However, if you do ask God to help you with a test, he will help you more if you actually STUDIED!  God helps him who helps himself!)

But for the teacher to lead students in prayer is a violation because it constitutes the government endorsing one particular 'official' religion, and that is banned by the 'establishment clause'.

Answer 11

Think about what you are asking - besides being determined unconstitutional time and time again would you really want you kid being led in spiritual matters by public school teachers?

Answer 12

It's very simple actually. Schools are public, being government property, and using government money to run them. The Government doesn't need to be "intertwined" with religion, (principals praying, reading from bibles) however STUDENTS are 100% able to practice their religion, and schools must recognize that right. And, I would love it if you could give some examples of schools that have went unpunished for doing this,  students have freedom of religion and to be able to practice it. But a school (unlike private schools) cannot be the ones inciting that religion. It's the only right way to run schools.  

Answer 13

Freedom of religion also includes freedom from religion.  Prayer in public schools is a form of government established religion.  Who's prayer would you say?   Would an Islamic prayer be ok?   What about devil worship?  Be careful what you wish for you just might get it!

Answer 14

Which religion are you refering too?

People have the right to be free from forced religious conversions--or practices within the public school system.

Children have the right to be free from ridicule by teachers for being an example of their faith.

There cannot be forced conversions or forced practice of another religion in the public sphere.

Answer 15

It doesn't. It has been adopted due to Thomas Jefferson. When addressing Baptists (I believe in a letter) he referred to the First Amendment as the Wall of Separation - meaning separation of church and state. State also meaning schools (of course). Then, later the Supreme Court ruled that the Separation of Church and State was implied in the First Amendment (through the establishment and free exercise clauses) and it has been upheld since. So, really, it's not in the Constitution per say- it is due to the US Supreme Court mainly.

Answer 16

exactly...

Freedom of religion has been twisted-

It means one can not be forced to believe or not believe in a particular higher being.

People now take it to be offensive if someone prays in front of them- not requiring them to participate.  

Answer 17

It doesn't, but you sort of answered your own question.  Public school are just that, public and funded by the government.  Religious groups can have their own school with all the prayer they want, but religion and government are not supposed to mix.

Answer 18

As long as there are exams, there will always be prayer in schools.