The discussion about the place of religion in public schools has been brought back to life by the recent legislative push to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. While some argue that public schools should not have any religious influence, I believe this position misunderstands the core of our Constitution. For me, the issue isn’t about promoting a religion—it’s about protecting our freedom.
The right to religious expression is guaranteed by the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a right. As long as it is not school-mandated or disruptive, students should be free to express their beliefs. Forcing students to suppress their faith is a direct violation of their personal values. The issue isn’t about the Ten Commandments; it’s about a student’s right to express themselves without fear of suppression.
In addition to personal expression, praying can create a strong sense of community and offer needed emotional support for students. As a blog on the St. John’s Lutheran School website notes, “Prayer can bring a sense of comfort and help students navigate challenging times, allowing them to connect with peers who share their values.” In a stressful world, creating places where students can find support in their faith promotes emotional well-being. As a Dallas Baptist University blog points out, prayer can help students find direction, giving them a spiritual anchor throughout academic and social pressures. This isn’t about forcing a belief on anyone; it’s about recognizing that for many people, faith is an aspect of who they are.
People who don’t support prayer in school often argue that it can feel coercive to students who do not share the same beliefs, violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Since public schools are government institutions, any form of prayer could be seen as a violation. This is a valid concern, but it confuses school-mandated prayer with voluntary prayer. The Supreme Court has long distinguished between official religious speech and private student religious speech, which the First Amendment protects. As Pew Research Center notes, Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) established that schools can’t suppress student expression unless it significantly disrupts school discipline. In fact, Pew Research Center reports “four-in-ten public school students say they routinely see other students praying before sporting events”—a non-disruptive, voluntary act.
In the end, the goal is not to force religion, but to protect the right of every student to practice their beliefs. Public schools have an obligation to be a safe and inclusive environment for all students. For many, that includes the freedom to pray.
