Pushing Our Beliefs

Paper about how prayer and religion has no place in public schools.












Pushing Our Beliefs

Michael Cappellino

English Composition 102

Professor C. Berger

December 1, 2011

































Our first amendment not only gives us the right to express our own religious beliefs, it allows us not to have to be subjected to the beliefs of others if we choose not to. People in this country have the right to believe anything they want to but laws and rules can be set forth to govern their actions. Just because someone’s religion believes in marriage to multiple wives does not mean that they can legally marry multiple women.   These laws and rules are meant to represent certain standards that are neutral to religious views. We cannot go in to public places and expect others to take part in certain rituals we deem proper. Furthermore, people employed in a public position may not use their public stage to highlight their own religious views. Just because the majority believe in something does not give them the right to overrule the minority. This subject is particularly touchy when dealing with our religious rights at public schools. Ultimately, the decision is an easy one that is plainly outlined in our Bill of Rights. Prayer has no business being included in any school-sponsored event.

There was recently an agnostic family from Texas who filed a lawsuit against the school for allowing a prayer to be said at the graduation ceremony. Judge Biery agreed with the family and said, “They shall not otherwise deliver a message that would commonly be understood to be a prayer, nor use the word ‘prayer”(CNN Wire Staff).   This ruling was soon overturned by another Judge, Perry, who stated, “The First Amendment prohibits governments from interfering with Americans’ rights to freely express their religious beliefs…” (CNN Wire Staff).   This could be looked at as the proper ruling, protecting our freedom... [continues]

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