One Nation Without God From one nation under God to one nation without God Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2006 *************************** Many Good Reasons for Prayer in Public Schools Prayer in the Schools Copyright Norman L. Geisler 2005 Introduction We prayed in Schools for 300 years!---Until The Supreme Court Ruled: Engel: Class prayers unconstitutional Abington: Saying Lord's Prayer unlawful Jaffre: Moment of silence forbidden Lee: School led graduation prayer outlawed. We prayed in Schools for 300 years!---Until The Supreme Court Ruled: Engel: Class prayers unconstitutional Abington: Saying Lord's Prayer unlawful Jaffre: Moment of silence forbidden Lee: School led graduation prayer outlawed. Many Good Reasons for Prayer in Public Schools 1. Our government was based on religious principles (of which prayer is a part). Our founding legal document, The Declaration of Independence (1776), says: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...." Indeed, it speaks of God, creation, God-given moral rights, the providence of God, and a final Day of Judgment--all of which are religious teachings. Indeed, the Supreme Court affirmed (Zorach, 1952) that "We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being." And school prayer has been an important part of our religious experience from the very beginning. Indeed, the Supreme Court affirmed (Zorach, 1952) that "We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being." And school prayer has been an important part of our religious experience from the very beginning. 2. The First Amendment does not separate God and govern- ment but encourages religion. The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Note: The words separation, church and state do not occur in the First Amendment. The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Note: The words separation, church and state do not occur in the First Amendment. The first clause merely declares that Congress (the Federal government) cannot establish one religion for all the people. It says nothing about the "separation of church and state." In fact, five of the thirteen States that ratified it had their own state religions at the time. The second clause insists that the National government should not discourage religion. But forbidding prayer in schools discourages religion. 3. Early Congressional actions encouraged religion (which includes prayer) in public schools For example, the Northwest Ordinance (1787 and 1789) declared: "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Thus, religion, which includes prayer, was deemed by our early American Fathers to be "necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind." 4. Early Presidents, with congress, made proclamations encouraging public prayer. President Washington (Oct. 3, 1789) declared: "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have... requested me `to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer....'" President John Adams proclaimed: "As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of that morality and piety without which social happiness can not exist;...under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants" (3/23/1798). 5. Congress has prayed at the opening of every session since the very first. At the very first Continental Congress Benjamin Franklin urged that "In the beginning... we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection.-- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered.... And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?... I therefore beg that henceforth prayersbe held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service." Congress has begun with prayer ever since. If the government can pray in their congressional session, why can't the governed pray in their educational sessions. 6. American Schools had prayer for nearly three hundred years before the Court ruled class prayers were unconstitutional ( Engel, 1962). The fact that prayer was practiced continually from the very beginning for nearly three hundred years establishes it by precedent as a valid and beneficial practice in our schools. Why should we allow a handful of Justices rob us of what has served us so well so long? 7. Since the High Court outlawed prayer the nation has been in steady moral decline. Between 1960 and 1990 there was a steady moral decline. In this period divorce doubled; teen-age pregnancy went up 200%; teen suicide increased 300%; child abuse reached an all-time high; violent crime went up 500%, and abortion increased 1000%. The schools less God are Godless. Between 1960 and 1990 there was a steady moral decline. In this period divorce doubled; teen-age pregnancy went up 200%; teen suicide increased 300%; child abuse reached an all-time high; violent crime went up 500%, and abortion increased 1000%. The schools less God are Godless. 8. Morals must be taught, and they cannot be properly taught without religion. We cannot live properly without a moral law. But there cannot be a moral law without a moral Law Giver (as The Declaration of Independence affirmed). And there is no real motivation for keeping the moral law unless there is a moral Law Giver who gave it and who can enforce it by rewards and punishments. Hence, public acknowledgement of God in prayer is a most appropriate act. We cannot live properly without a moral law. But there cannot be a moral law without a moral Law Giver (as The Declaration of Independence affirmed). And there is no real motivation for keeping the moral law unless there is a moral Law Giver who gave it and who can enforce it by rewards and punishments. Hence, public acknowledgement of God in prayer is a most appropriate act. In a frank interview with the Chicago Sun Times (8/24/75, Sect. 1 B, 8), the famous thinker, Will Durant, confessed: "You and I are living on a shadow... because we are operating on the Christian ethical code which was given us, unfused with the Christian faith.... But what will happen to our children...? We are not giving them an ethics warmed up with a religious faith. They are living on the shadow of a shadow." 9. Forbidding prayer and other religious expressions in public schools establishes in effect the religion of secularism. The Supreme Court ruled "Secular Humanism" is a religion without God ( Torcaso, 1961). Justice Potter ( Abington, 1963) warned that purging the schools of all religious beliefs and practices would lead to the "establishment of a religion of secularism." It has. In fact, the beliefs of Secular Humanism are just the opposite of The Declaration of Independence. 10. To forbid the majority the right to pray because the minority objects, is to impose the irreligion of the minority on the religious majority. Forbidding prayer in schools, which a majority (three-fourths) of Americans favor, is the tyranny of the minority. It is minority rule, not democracy (which is majority rule). Why should an irreligious minority dictate what the majority can do who wish to preserve our moral and spiritual values and, thus, our good nation? 11. Voluntary prayer in public schools does not coerce anyone's religious beliefs for several reasons. First of all, it is voluntary and not compulsory. Second, the prayers need not (and should not) favor one denomination or sect. They could include Christians, Jews, Muslims, and others. Early presidential prayers can be a model. In God we trust is on our coins, in our national anthem, and in the House of Representatives. Why can we not pray God, in You we truts in our schools? Third, the small minority who do not wish to participate should not be forced to pray. They could be exempt from praying just like one can be exempt from saluting the flag, as the Court has ruled (1943), or pledging allegiance "under God" without robbing the majority of the right to say it voluntarily (1943). Fourth, in a pluralistic society the minority will always be exposed to some beliefs of the majority that are offensive to them. For example, Christians in the public schools are now forced by Court decisions to be exposed to views that offend their religious beliefs, such as, evolution, gay rights, sex education, and occult teachings. Fourth, in a pluralistic society the minority will always be exposed to some beliefs of the majority that are offensive to them. For example, Christians in the public schools are now forced by Court decisions to be exposed to views that offend their religious beliefs, such as, evolution, gay rights, sex education, and occult teachings. 12. Prayer sets an attitude of reverence and openness which is helpful in establishing a proper atmosphere for learning. Opening in prayer sets a tone for the day and promotes an atmosphere conducive to discipline and learning. George Washington said, "It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible." But how can we do this if our school classes cannot even speak to Him in prayer? The Political Alternatives A reversal by the Court (This is not likely). A Constitutional Amendment (Required ratification by 2/3 of the states is difficult). Congress could ignore the High Court and establish prayer by law (US Constitution, Art. 3, Sect. 2) (But this would take courage, and it could precipitate a constitutional crisis. So be it. The branches of Govt should be a check on each other). But there is no real check on the judiciary branch at present. A reversal by the Court (This is not likely). A Constitutional Amendment (Required ratification by 2/3 of the states is difficult). Congress could ignore the High Court and establish prayer by law (US Constitution, Art. 3, Sect. 2) (But this would take courage, and it could precipitate a constitutional crisis. So be it. The branches of Govt should be a check on each other). But there is no real check on the judiciary branch at present. The Spiritual Alternatives Prayer in the Home Prayer in the Church Pray in Home Schools Pray in Christian Schools If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive theirs sins and heal their land (2Chrn. 7:14). Prayer in the Home Prayer in the Church Pray in Home Schools Pray in Christian Schools If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive theirs sins and heal their land (2Chrn. 7:14). The Spiritual Alternatives Prayer in the Home Prayer in the Church Pray in Home Schools Pray in Christian Schools Pray led by students in Public Schools Pray in the Federal Courts God save the United States and this honorable Court!!! Prayer in the Home Prayer in the Church Pray in Home Schools Pray in Christian Schools Pray led by students in Public Schools Pray in the Federal Courts God save the United States and this honorable Court!!! A Sinners Prayer Dear God. I know you are holy, and I am sinful. I believe Jesus died for all my sins and rose from the dead. I hereby accept him as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus Name, Amen. A Believers Prayer Lord, teach us to pray. (Lk. 11:1) Dear God. I know you are holy, and I am sinful. I believe Jesus died for all my sins and rose from the dead. I hereby accept him as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus Name, Amen. A Believers Prayer Lord, teach us to pray. (Lk. 11:1)