Prayer in Schools
- Should Christians lobby for prayer in public schools?
- If this is a Christian nation, why can't we have prayer in the public schools?
Should Christians lobby for prayer in public schools?
I think this is a strategic mistake. If the goal is for children of Christian families to have a time of corporate prayer in their public school that honors God, the school system will not fulfill that goal. Who will lead your child in prayer? Will it be a Muslim, Hindu or a Christian? No way will the public schools have only Christians lead in prayer. This would breach the first amendment of the US constitution, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." It is clear to me this would constitute an establishment of Christianity as the religion of the government. Many Christians think, "So what, this is a Christian nation." Not true.
This is a country that is committed to freedom of religion. Freedom of religion seems to be acceptable to some Christians only if Christianity is allowed to control and dominate society. God has called us to submit to the governmental authorities not to dominate society, Romans 13. Schools should teach academic fundamentals and the basic values of life: respect for property, respect for life, respect for the truth, etc.
If this is a Christian nation, why can't we have prayer in the public schools?
This is not a Christian nation. As much as I would like the United States to be fully and totally committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, that is a misconception. We as Christians should be salt and light so the pervasive worldview in this country remains Christian.
Please see answer above.