CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Schools have not been allowed to have prayers for the entire student body since the Engel vs. Vitale Supreme Court case in 1962. America has always prided itself on its First Amendment right to freedom of religion, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Schools have not been allowed to have prayers for the entire student body since the Engel vs. Vitale Supreme Court case in 1962. America has always prided itself on its First Amendment right to freedom of religion, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Since the First Amendment was first written, it has taken the United States centuries (until just the past few decades) to become more sensitive to other religions and non-religions. With more people transitioning from Christianity to Buddhism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Confucianism, Judaism, Rastafarianism and so many more, there are no limits to what people worship or do not worship today.

But Christianity is still the prevalent religion in the United States, and it has a lot of leverage.

Separation of church and state is a very important idea in the United States. It allows for government institutions and ideals to be kept separate from religious ones. Since the Supreme Court ruled that schools can no longer engage students in prayer, schools have become part of this muddy separation.

Pocahontas County High School senior Emily Hefner agrees with this.

"I still think the church should be separate from the state," she said.

It has become more common for schools to receive students from many different backgrounds and religions. Prayer for an entire student body is no longer acceptable because of the variety of beliefs a single population now can share. A single prayer could satisfy one group of students but cause a revolt amongst another, thus causing the entire learning environment of the school to be upset and unproductive.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Schools have not been allowed to have prayers for the entire student body since the Engel vs. Vitale Supreme Court case in 1962. America has always prided itself on its First Amendment right to freedom of religion, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Since the First Amendment was first written, it has taken the United States centuries (until just the past few decades) to become more sensitive to other religions and non-religions. With more people transitioning from Christianity to Buddhism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Confucianism, Judaism, Rastafarianism and so many more, there are no limits to what people worship or do not worship today.

Original post:
CON: Prayer in school doesnt account for all religions