What are the advantages and disadvantages of prayer in school?

Answer 1

AnswerAdvantages

Those who wish to say a quiet, private prayer to the god of their choice, and in the manner of their choice, can do so in the knowledge that their god will look over them.

In times of stress, let's say during exams, a quiet and private prayer may assist a student to cope.

Disadvantages

There are probably no disadvantages to silent prayer conducted in private, as long as this does not distract the student from the lesson in hand. Public prayer has many disadvantages, not the least that it is illegal in public schools in the United States.

Prayer to the Christian God would leave non-Christians feeling disadvantaged. The only fair and proper solution to this would be to provide equal time and attention to the beliefs of each other faith. So there would need to be Hindu observances (in schools with Hindus present), Buddhist observances, Muslim observances, and possibly even Jewish ones - each given equal time and attention as the Christian ones. Even Wiccas should be catered for in the same way. Then there needs to be time for schoolwork!

It would be difficult to respect the beliefs of those who do not believe in any God, if there is mandatory prayer. And it would take considerable leadership skills on the part of teachers to encourage all atheists (some of whom would not have been willing to declare their beliefs) to absent themselves from prayer sessions. To say that the beliefs of atheists do not deserve respect is, at the very least, undemocratic and against accepted human rights.

The objections to prayer in American schools were first raised by minority Christian groups who do not accept majority Christian forms of worship. The courts have ruled that this must be respected.