Lately there has been a push on facebook and twitter posts about the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer, and the Bible taken out of public schools. Many are unhappy, and go on to say that our public school system is screwed up. Some continue with complaints stating that it is a great reason to take out kids and abandon the public system.
I was homeschooled from 2nd grade to graduation, so I wasn’t too familiar with how things were for my generation going to public school. I had friends who attended, and many turned out just fine. However, I don’t want to take things by just what others say, I want to look into it... and since my daughter is attending public schools, I decided to see how true this was.
It seems that unless our public schools in town are the USA’s exception... these posts are false.
- Prayer.
My daughter is allowed to pray whenever. As long as it’s not out loud during class, causing disruption during class time, or interrupting class. If she’s going to take a test, she can pray and then get it done. No one is going to stop her. She can pray before lunch, before snack, and with friends. Prayer is fine... just like for us adults in the public workplace. Same rules apply.
- The Bible.
It is not outlawed. My daughter can bring it to school. She’s allowed to share with her classmates and friends. They are allowed to read it during the times that they are allowed to read other material. And even better... there are Bibles available in the school library! (On a side note; it probably has more ‘adult themes’ in it than any other book in the library. Should it be available to elementary students when other books are banned for milder content? Hmmmm, I might have to blog on this another time.)
- The Pledge of Allegiance.
Yes, It is done every morning over the speakers. They all take part in reciting it. I had read that this is also a BIG reason to homeschool. Seeing this, it lead me to do an unofficial poll with the kids in my church. At the beginning of every Wednesday service, the kids do the pledge for the US Flag, the Christian Flag, the Bible, and our Club. I asked how many recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning during the week. Over 80% rose their hands. Unfortunately, none of the homeschoolers were in that number.
Several weeks ago, since we are members, Lydia and I attended the town’s Parent Teachers Association’s (PTA) dinner. They were celebrating 100 years of partnership in Springfield. They have done a lot for our school system, and responsible for many things that have made our town’s public schools a great place for kids. (- Which is good, of course) Not only did we recite the pledge, but we were all led in prayer before dinner!
Personally, I don’t think that public schools should force kids to pray or read their Bible before class starts anyway. If a child should be prayed with, or have the Bible read, that’s the parents’ responsibility. Others use the Bible and take it out of context too often. When it comes to it, I’d rather it be myself or my church teaching from it. (If we expect and expect them to lead our children in prayer, how offended would we be if those prayers would sometime be Buddhist or Muslim?)
It seems that the public schools in my city are doing pretty fine.
So now, the remaining question: As adults... (leading by example) how do we start our day before work?
~Matt
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