We should congratulate Missouri and any other states that have taken action to protect our religious freedoms by amending the Missouri Constitution. The newly passed amendment now makes it permissible for students to “read a Bible in study hall" or for individuals "to pray briefly before a City Council meeting."
But here’s the main reason why I think the right to pray amendment is good law. So long as the right to pray also includes the right not to pray, it does not pose a threat to anyone's religious freedoms or freedom to be free from religion guaranteed in our federal constitution. This amendment will not require anyone to participate in prayer, but at the same time, it won't restrict the right to pray. Furthermore, Missouri’s right to pray amendment will allow students the right to refuse to participate in any school activities that he or she feels is contrary to his religious beliefs.
From a personal viewpoint, I think we should do more to allow individuals the right to pray, meditate, or do whatever it is that they need to in order to connect with their faith or express their individual beliefs. I think what opponents worry about is that right to pray will result in disruptive, intrusive, or overbearing conduct by those individuals that choose to exercise their right. Fortunately, there are other measures in place to prevent disruption from taking place.
Also, I think we have too many institutions limiting our abilities to express ourselves and our beliefs under the guise of separation of church and state. Same-sex marriage, for example. Amendments like this is one step in the right direction of allowing people to express their own views.
Prayer in schools has been a hot topic since the early 20th century and most recently in 2000 when individuals filed suits disputing whether "under God" could be said during the pledge of allegiance. It shouldn't. Missouri’s right to pray ultimately does not infringe on rights and is not much different than the moment of silence laws permitted in schools passed by some states 20 and 30 years ago. Most of those laws have survived legal challenges. Moments of silence in schools and public places, like in front of the White House pictured above, is something we should protect both on the sate and federal level.
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and what the other writers have to say, see Do States Need Right to Pray Amendments?
Image via U.S. National Archives/Flickr
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Comments 24
I don't understand how so many people choose to ignore the obvious evidence of our country's founding based upon Judeo-Christian principles. Maybe you wish it weren't, or don't think it applies anymore, and that's fine. But you can't just revise history "1984"-style to prove your point!
As a previous poster commented, the Bill of Rights was ratified with the understanding that men had inherent rights granted to them by God that no government could take away. All 50 states reference the Lord in their individual constitutions. To me, the most interesting testament to Christianity is the institution of the three ruling branches of government created in the image of the holy Trinity itself. The executive (God the Father as ultimate authority), the judicial (Jesus as judge), and the legislative (the Holy Spirit inspiring people from the bottom up). Cool, huh?
I believe that these men who founded our society were divinely influenced by God, as did they, if you read anything written in their own words. I definitely think that this is the main reason that our country has been so incredibly blessed for the past 200 years. If you look around today and the mess that we are in, I can't help but think it has a spiritual root. As a nation, we can't continue to reject God day after day and not expect consequences... Maybe I sound like a crazy person, but I've learned to be ok with that. :)
Oh, and Andie - the "Judeo" part of the term "Judeo-Christianity" simply refers to the connection between Judaism and Christianity. The Torah, the Jewish holy book, contains the first five books of our Bible given to Moses by God. Jews & Christians worship the same God (Yahweh) and share a belief in the same Law. The difference is that Jews simply reject the idea that Jesus is the Messiah, and they are still waiting for him...
I realize the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and I like it better this way. If congress votes to change it that's one thing but its a tradition I'd like to keep. That's my opinion. JiggyOz pretty much made the rest of my point so I wont repeat what was said, but it has been clear from the beginning the intent was to be welcoming to people of all religion's but at our base our rights were given to us by our Creator not our government. Children should be able to read their bible where ever they want (or their Koran for that matter) the point is right now its a problem. Separation of church and state is found no where in the constitution. I am not saying Christianity should take over school but if children would like to pray they should be able too. No one should be forced too either, but the schools have gone too far in not allowing children to pray or read from the religious book of choice.
I live in Missouri and am upset that this amendment passed. It may seem that this was passed to protect people's right to pray in public, however these rights were not in danger. The bigger issue with this amendment is the slippery slope that it has now caused for schools and teachers. How many kids are going to take advantage of the system and opt out of classwork and tests because "it goes against their beliefs"? I think many of the people who voted in favor of this amendment were misinformed about what they were actually voting for.
While I consider myself a Christian I am happier worshiping in smaller settings and yes away from other people, but there is no reason a child should be told they can't pray at lunch time or that they have to put their bible away. To your comments Silleguze maybe you should be more concerned about the governments push to teach evolution and global warming as facts when they are both theory's that cannot be proven with out a shadow of a doubt. If the government were to switch to acknowledging these as theory's I think Christian's would be more comfortable with it being taught in school. I too do not believe that this should take over other's rights or that people should be forced to participate, but freedom of Religion is part of our Bill of Rights, and they apply to children too.