CHURCH AND STATE

[Baalzamon]

Read the 1st and tell me where it says teachers can't pray with their students in school.

public school teachers are employees of, and thus, representatives of the state.

Private school teachers are not.

A teacher in a public school should not lead a prayer, because in doing so they are using their state funded position to endorse a religion, in a state building and forum. This implies that the government is favouring that religion specifically, which is something that the state should not do.

A private school teach however is not an employee of the state, and the institution they work for is not connected to the state. They and the school they work in are thus free to teach any religion they wish, as the parents of those children have chosen to place their children in that particular school, often for the reason of the particular religion the school, endorses.

I think I should say however, that a public school teacher should be free to establish a prayer service for those students that want it. This should take place outside of class time only. it should not cut into regular class time, and it should be done in what is effectively the teachers "off duty time". That teacher can stay late and do this unpaid, or sacrifice their lunch break for it.

None of this "anyone who doesnt want to participate can go sit in the corner and face the wall untill we are done" crap.

Anyone who wants to participate can stay inside at recess or come after school.

I remember my school did this back in elementary, and those students who wanted to be involved actually left the room to go elsewhere. It worked out quite well. There was absolutely no interference to everyone elses time and it didnt bother anyone who was not interested or of different beleifs.