Prayer In Schools

When it comes to the topic of religious equality and "rules" one must be especially careful of making sure they abide by just that: equality. Too often we see situations where the majority gets favored, even if a certain policy deems otherwise. The leaders of schools have a responsibility to their students and their communities to establish a healthy environment of acceptance and tolerance of religious prayer and practice, and if that is not possible then prayer in schools should be eliminated as an option altogether.
although I am not a believer in the elimination of the word "God" from the Pledge of Alliegance, I can understand that for some religions this may counter-act their disposition on where they feel they are "under," as the phrase goes. The Pledge was an original written document that was true to the beliefs of the time, and changing the wording now would be like changing any other wording or phrasing in the Pledge that is deemed outdated or not accepted by all. The point is that those who speak out against the usage of "God" feel that it is an unfair approach to a non-religious subject, and many feel that the same applies to a school environment.
ultimately it comes down to the difference between the education of religion and the influence of religion. For example, here at High Point we offer students a chance to study the various sects of religion world-wide. Other schools consider this to be a preaching environment of persuasion and coursing students to think or feel a certain way about religion. I feel it is necessary to educate and inform students of adversity, so that if a school chooses to allow prayer it will not come as a culture shock, nor will it seem wrong. In actuality they will accept it as a normal part of the world and skip the informality that most of us feel while being in the presence of a religious act that is not familiar to us personally.
If prayer is to be allowed in schools it is the responsibility of the educators to make sure that the students are we--informed and aware of where each of these acts come from. I think that part of the opposition towards this act comes from the fact that it makes people uncomfortable because they don't recognize the act, are confused by it, and therefore intimidated by it.
One must also consider, though, the position of the non-religious and the religiously content. Many are not open to even being exposed to acts that portray something that is unlike that which they are accustomed or accepting of. This is, again, where it is up to our school's leaders to make a judgment call. Certain areas are more liberal and accepting or adversity than others and it is up to those in control to determine the level of acceptance that is inside the school. Otherwise they will on;y be setting up a situation that calls for acts of religious descrimination, prejudice, hate crimes, and overall violence and a tense environment, which would not promote an adequate learnign environment for the students.
overall it is up to our leaders to decide and observe the levels of acceptance and tollerance that surround their school and the community. Religion is something that lays in the most secure and stubb orn parts of peoples hearts, and for good reason; it's a very personal subject. until we can be sure that acceptance is an absolute certainty, prayer in a school environment would only generate an unhealthy setting.