Pro's On Prayers in School
Ronald Gross
December 2nd
Honors English
Jason James

Prayers in school is an interesting topic. Some might say that prayers in school will cause commotion but why should a person not be able to share to other people about what they believe in. In fact, in 1995 Bill Clinton suggested , "Students have the right to engage in individual and group prayer as well as religious discussion throughout the school day so long as it is not conducted in a disruptive manner or during school activities and/or instruction. Students may also participate in before or after school events with religious content, but school officials may not discourage nor encourage participation in such an event." Prayers benefit us in numerous way. For one, it will promote good citizenship. For two, it can promote a virtuous living. Lastly, it can help eliminate selfishness.

One of the benefits of school prayer identified by John Adams is that it will promote good citizenship. In 1798, John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." The very next year, George Washington stated, "What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ." The "religion of Jesus Christ" definitely included the practice of prayer. Prayer can make better citizens.

Another benefit identified by the Founding Fathers is that prayer in school can promote virtuous living. In 1790 Samuel Adams said, "Let divines and philosophers, statesmen and patriots, unite their endeavors to renovate the age by impressing the minds of men with the importance of educating their little boys and girls, inculcating in the minds of youth the fear and love of the Deity. . .and leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system." Prayer can promote more virtuous living.

A third benefit of school prayer is that it can decrease selfishness Praying for others can cause students to think more of their fellows than of themselves. It can also foster the idea that living for others is better than living for one's self. Prayer also fosters the concept that we all are dependent upon God. This sense of dependence will also lead to lives lived in thankfulness. In short, prayer in schools may produce better people as well as better students.

The Founding Fathers seen that the pros on prayers in school were such a great notion that they