Law on School Prayer Essay

The issue on school prayer has been subject to constitutional debate since 1960s. The hail ruled against school-sponsored prayer in the Engel vs. Vitale case in 1962. Such court decision is in withdraw with the pertaining of freedom of religion (and the expression of ones assent and belief). The Court said that one could alternatively do his or her prayer privately and need non impose his or her prayer to anyone (Dierenfield, 2007).This is the precise basis of the Court for implementing the non-school-sponsored prayer in every school in the United States. Such sentiment was put into question when an separate case of school-sponsored prayer occurred in 2000. The case wherein the Santa Fe Independent schooldays District permitted the non-private conduction of prayer (done in front of other students of the school) which is aim to declare support for the football athletes (Status of Current righteousness on School Prayer, 2007).Although, the Congress had tried to intervene with the issue, the Court still prevailed by saying that the school violated the law against school-sponsored worship or prayer. In order to uphold the judgment of the Court against school-sponsored worship or prayer, the House and the Senate passed the ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education) in October 30 2001 (Status of Current Law on School Prayer, 2007). This act states that schools that would violate the law against school-sponsored prayer would be denied of federal funding.The Congress position was to uphold the right of students for wilful prayer hence it disallowed the imposition of school on conducting a school prayer. The panic of losing the support of the government (for public schools) really held every school so that they became really careful close to dealing with unearthly and faith-related issues of their students. They allowed their students to pray or not pray. They do not anymore try to get to actions or sponsor events that would tend to patronize particulars f aiths or religions.Legal Implications Truly, no one should interfere with others way of expressing himself or herself. Likewise, no one should impose his or her religion, belief or faith to anyone (Muir, 1985). Thus, the Court had a very good reason for declaring such decision concerning school prayer. By taking a closer examination on the issue, one would realize that the Court, as well as the Congress, dependable really wanted to protect the rights of the students for voluntary prayer.Hence, schools were ordered not to support any form or kind of religious and faith-related activities. This is due to the fact that public schools have a diverse population of students who lead to various religions. In effect, if the school would favor one student or a group of students in the school to conduct an event that would advertize their religion, there will really be a trespass against the rights of other students on their religious belief (Muir, 1985).The Court provided a very plausibl e and rational shadow to religious sectors and the parents of the students. It said that students can practice their own way of upholding their religious faith while not impeding others right of voluntary prayer. They can really do their prayers privately. By doing so, no one would complain about the imposition of school prayer. The Congresss sponsorship and Courts implementation of the ESEA could really help them monitoring and regulating schools in sponsoring and conducting activities.The schools, in return, would ensure that they would be hands-off regarding religious matters. They should really do that otherwise their federal funding would be denied by the government (Status of Current Law on School Prayer, 2007). To end, the issue on school prayer and the law regarding it intend to promote the rights of the students for voluntary prayer and against discrimination of religion. Schools primary duty is to ensure proper education for their students and that should be their focus .