| It would seem that no Christian believer would | | | | prayers and chants offered to the deities of |
| argue with an effort to amend our constitution to | | | | other religions? And what of the cults; will |
| legalize classroom prayers. Many are of the | | | | Christians tolerate the rogations of cultists? In our |
| opinion that such prayers would be similar to | | | | pluralist society, audible school prayer definitely |
| those offered in public classrooms prior to the | | | | presents such dangers. One long-time proponent |
| Supreme Court's decision to ban them. There | | | | of classroom prayer changed his mind upon |
| would be no difficulty for believers if such were | | | | realizing that, if the program is mandated without |
| the case and the program assured prayers | | | | guarantees protecting the Christian conscience, |
| suitable to Christians. However, since the Court's | | | | even prayers by Satanists - a legally recognized |
| prohibition, pluralism has made astonishing | | | | American religion - must be tolerated. |
| alterations to the fabric of American society. To | | | | Though this possibility seems remote, he does not |
| have a chance for passage, the amendment could | | | | want his children even remotely subjected to |
| offer Christians no guarantees; therefore, the | | | | such a risk. |
| proposal begs the question: Audible classroom | | | | It is true that, under ideal conditions, the cosmetic |
| prayer to whom? | | | | effects of classroom prayer may be favorable. |
| Some claim that "The Lord's Prayer," is suitable | | | | However, our public schools are far from ideal; |
| for the classroom. Terming it a, "generic prayer," | | | | religious differences are sure to taint any form of |
| and noting that it makes no reference to Jesus, | | | | audible school prayer. It is imperative that parents |
| they say it is offered to "the God whom we all | | | | must be aware of these ramifications, for it is the |
| worship." On its surface, this may seem a valid | | | | children who will suffer the impact of such a |
| argument - until we consider who authored the | | | | program gone awry. |
| prayer. Will Jews, Moslems and those of other | | | | American public schools never will assume a |
| creeds agree to have their children recite a | | | | partnership role in the Christian education of their |
| prayer ascribed to the Christian's Lord Jesus | | | | students, nor should they. God places this |
| Christ? Will Hindu, Shinto, mystics, other oriental | | | | responsibility primarily on parents. It is in the home |
| religions and secularist, permit their children to | | | | where Christian parents must structure a child's |
| pray to "Our Father which art in heaven"? Will | | | | total Christian upbringing. Even the Church can |
| atheists, who initiated the ban in the first, agree | | | | offer only a supportive role in that task. The Bible |
| to not challenge the practice, even with a | | | | directive to bring up our children in the way they |
| constitutional amendment that legalizes it? | | | | should go is not addressed to the schools, or to |
| Conversely, should audible classroom prayers | | | | the Church, or to any other institution - it is |
| suitable to Christians not be assured, will Christian | | | | addressed to parents. |
| parents condone having their children sit under the | | | | |