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In the case of Engel v. Vitale the Regent’s prayer was meant to be “non-denominational” and the respondents’ argument states that the students are not required to perform the prayer but that those who choose not to participate sit silently or be excused from the classroom (LexisNexis). To an extent this seems like a perfectly well thought out idea, but to ask a child to sit quietly or remove themselves from the classroom really becomes an act of seclusion. When a person becomes secluded they feel the desire to be a part of the crowd, especially children. “When the power prestige and financial support of government is placed behind a particular religious belief, the indirect coercive pressure upon religious minorities to conform to the prevailing officially approved religion is plain” (LexisNexis); therefore, regardless of their religious distinction children, feeling the need to involve themselves in what everyone else is doing, participate in a prayer that may not necessarily pertain to what they believe. This inevitable act not only denies the child’s culture and upbringing, but creates a conflict of interest for the parents and the student who are classified as the religious minority. Any form of governmental control over religion results in the exclusion of the minority, and sets in motion the breeding of resentment in those who feel as though they have been cast outside the standard established by the
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Vitale was correct. Although this case was the springboard for many of the more radical ideas of the likes of Madlyn Murray O’Hare, this case did uphold the ideas and beliefs of America’s Founding Fathers. Many have made the dispute over school prayer out to be a point of division in our nation. Yet the majority believes religion should be a part of our school systems. According to an article by John C. Green and James L. Guth, a “1983 Gallup poll found 81% of the “aware” public favoring a constitutional amendment allowing voluntary school prayer” (Green and Guth 41-42). In the years following the decision in the Engel v. Vitale case religion has been erased from our school systems. Although the majority feels there should be a time for personal prayer or meditation, no such allowance has come to fruition. I feel as though each person should be able to express their own beliefs in the manner they choose wherever they choose. I believe that if we were to allow the children of America to sit quietly for a moment and prayer in their own distinct way it would bring about a more open and tolerant viewpoint on one another’s
Vitale was correct. Although this case was the springboard for many of the more radical ideas of the likes of Madlyn Murray O’Hare, this case did uphold the ideas and beliefs of America’s Founding Fathers. Many have made the dispute over school prayer out to be a point of division in our nation. Yet the majority believes religion should be a part of our school systems. According to an article by John C. Green and James L. Guth, a “1983 Gallup poll found 81% of the “aware” public favoring a constitutional amendment allowing voluntary school prayer” (Green and Guth 41-42). In the years following the decision in the Engel v. Vitale case religion has been erased from our school systems. Although the majority feels there should be a time for personal prayer or meditation, no such allowance has come to fruition. I feel as though each person should be able to express their own beliefs in the manner they choose wherever they choose. I believe that if we were to allow the children of America to sit quietly for a moment and prayer in their own distinct way it would bring about a more open and tolerant viewpoint on one another’s