Should public school teachers be allowed to teach this prayer?

I don’t know who wrote this poem but it sums up my opinion

>> The New School Prayer

>>

>> Now I sit me down in school

>> Where praying is against the rule

>> For this great nation under God

>> Finds mention of Him very odd.

>> If scripture now the class recites

>> It violates the Bill of Rights

>> And any time my head I bow

>> Becomes a federal matter now

>> Our hair can be purple, orange, or green

>> That’s no offense, it’s the freedom scene

>> The law is specific, the law is precise

>> Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice

>> For praying in a public hall

>> Might offend someone with no faith at all

>> In silence alone we must meditate

>> God’s name is prohibited by the State

>> We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks

>> And pierce our noses, tongues, and cheeks

>> They’ve outlawed guns: But first the Bible

>> To quote the Good Book makes us liable

>> We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen

>> And the unwed daddy, our Senior King

>> It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong

>> We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong

>> We can get our condoms, and birth controls

>> Study witchcraft, vampires, and totem poles

>> But the Ten Commandments are not allowed

>> No Word of God must reach this crowd

>> It’s scary here I must confess

>> When chaos reigns the school’s a mess

>> So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

>> Should I be shot,

>> My soul please take.

>>

>> Author Unknown

Technically, schools don’t “teach” this as a prayer. It is strictly taught as a patriotic song in our curriculum in fourth grade. None of my students have ever perceived it as a prayer, and honestly, they wouldn’t care. It seems the adults care more about what is and isn’t taught than the children, and whenever religion comes up, my students are the ones who initiate it. I never do, but I always will answer anything as objectively as I can. That’s just me though, not every teacher. Good question… not sure we’ll ever agree as a nation on an answer though. I also agree with the other comment left by e…. great poem, really hits home.

I have never heard of this poem set to music referred to as a prayer. The only place in the curriculum where this song might be taught would be in a chorus or choir.

Whether or not the children (most probably grades 8 – 12) wish to take part in singing this song would be a personal choice by that age.

Through out our education we all read poems, literature, take part in plays and sing songs that we all don’t necessarily believe in the subject matter totally. To me it’s a matter of choice.

I would teach the second “verse” as a part of patriotic song repertoire in fourth grade as mentioned before. BUT, one must always be very careful about the separation of church and state. If any students are truly offended by participating in singing this particular song, then the respectful and professional educator would present other options for the offended student.

It may help if you read the following article, titled:

History proves we are a Christian nation.

This may give you a different view of the anti-prayer attitude of the miss-informed.

http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2007/07/07/opinion/letters/doc468ef6743f221450468953.txt

The article was printed July 7, 2007, and will only be kept on the server for 14 day’s.

I don’t believe any prayers should be said in public schools. Here in Britain we still say prayers occasionally, but i simply do not pray. I am an atheist and simply don’t believe in praying