It is true that students in some school districts have been forbidden to carry their Bible to school, or to wear a religious T-shirt to class. However, these local regulations are made by school officials in violation of the U.S. Constitution and of federal and state laws. Usually, a brief discussion between a lawyer specializing in civil rights matters and school officials quickly clears up the conflict. Praying in school is not against the law. In fact, the U.S. Constitution guarantees students the right to pray in public schools; it is a protected form of free speech. A student can pray on the school bus, in the corridors, in the cafeteria, in their student-run Bible club, at the flagpole, sports stadium, and elsewhere on school grounds. They can even pray silently before and after class in the classroom. They are not allowed to pray exclusively Christian prayers as an organized part of the school schedule. However, they may be able to hear or read prayers from a variety of religious traditions and inspiring statements from secular sources. Prayers cannot solely be from a single religious faith group. What about reciting something that is not a prayer, but still promotes that this nation is a Christian one?.
Every morning when school starts, millions of children stand up at attention, face the American flag, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Originally written in 1892, the Pledge did not include the words "under God", but in 1954, the words were added. "From this day forward, the millions of our school children will daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and rural schoolhouse, the dedication of our Nation and our people to the Almighty," said President Eisenhower after signing into law a bill to have "under God" added to the original pledge (www.religioustolerance.org 1). However, in June of 2002, a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2 to 1 to declare the Pledge unconstitutional because of the addition of the phrase stating, "The statement that the United States is a nation 'under God' is an endorsement of religion.
