Moment of Silence in Public Schools
“The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peacefully assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.” This amendment was put into place on December 15, 1791. Academic Freedom and the First Amendment in the Supreme Court of the United States: An Unhurried Historical Review In public schools today, there is an argument if a moment of silence should be permitted.
Within the last twenty five years, the United States Supreme Court has declared an unconstitutional state law providing that each public school day begin with a moment of silence. With this being said, the court cannot hold a state accountable for having prayer required in public schools stated by the book written by Mary Ellen Johnson, School Prayer and the Constitution: Silence is Golden. One would say that a moment of silence in public schools does not matter while others say it is extremely important.
By having a moment of silence during the school days, it can help improve schools and society as a whole. Sporting events, classrooms, and public gatherings also offer a moment of silence. I believe that a moment of silence should be enforced in public schools today in the United States. It is important that students are using these few minutes during this time to pray, reflect, and show respect. All students have the right to say a blessing before a meal as well. Students have the right to engage in voluntary prayer and do not disrupt the schools educational mission. The state of Louisiana removed the word “silent” from its school prayer law, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the new change to be unconstitutional. They argued that a “moment of silence” is a way to enforce prayer in schools, when really it isn’t. A lot of schools mistake religion for science and get the two subjects confused. The book, Teaching Natural Science by Kint Greenwalt mentions This can often confuse students and then create students to not participate in a moment of silence (88–92).
Not all, but most people view a moment of silence to pray when it can be used for multiple purposes based off An article written by Jeremy Echols, Prayer in School Teach Kids about a Moment of Silence. There are five positive reasons for a moment of silence; to reflect, to show respect for our troops, fallen heroes, or victims of a tragedy, display human spirit or resolve, and to grieve, or to pray to God. A moment of silence is different for everyone and can serve multiple things to individuals. A moment of silence is what you make it. Not all individuals have to pray or feel like they need to. It is a few minutes of quiet time for each individual. A lot of people say it is harmless and quite offensive.
After doing research, I truly believe that a moment of silence should be kept in public schools. The few short minutes that are spent during this time are important to each individual. Each individual can make a moment of silence into his or her own. Whether they use this time for prayer or reflect. This time is personal and each individual has the right to use this time however they please. I would truly be disappointed if prayer was taken out of public schools.
Greenwalt, K. (n.d.). Teaching Natural Science I: Relation between Science and Religion (pp. 88–92).
Echols, J. Prayer In School Teach Kids about a Moment of Silence.
Johnson, M. (n.d.). School Prayer and the Constitution: Silence is Golden (pp. 1018–1030).
Van Alstyne, W. W. (n.d.). Academic Freedom and the First Amendment in the Supreme Court of the United States: An Unhurried Historical Review (pp. 80–85).
