Voluntary prayer should be institutionalized as a daily part of life in public schools. Many people believe that prayer is not allowed in the public schools. This is wrong. Unfortunately, this mistaken notion sometimes extends to teachers, principals and school boards. Prayer is in fact allowed in the public school system - in school busses, at the flagpole, in student religious clubs, in the hallways, cafeteria, etc. However, it is not normally permitted in the classroom itself when a class is in session. The latter would violate the principle of the state and church separation, which is defined by court interpretations of the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The separation principle is extended to Public Schools as an arm of the government.
This could be established in a manner for the kids who are very pious and want to pray. The Supreme Court has made it to where there is to be no prayer in public school, because it might cause some confusion between the various religious groups in the schools. But for example an Kelly which is a private school where prayer is allowed there is also various religious but prayer is not outlawed here and does not cause any confusion between different religions. George Bush stated:" I support voluntary, student-led prayer and am committed to the First Amendment principles of religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity. Whether Mormon, Methodist, or Muslim, students in America should be able to participate in their constitutional free exercise of religion. I believe it is wrong to forcefully expunge any mention of religion, or dilute its impact and importance, when discussing world affairs. Religion is a personal, private matter and parents, not public school officials, should decide their children's religious training. We should not have teacher-led prayers in public schools, and school officials should never favor one religion over another, or favor religion over no religion or vice versa.
