Word: silents
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...forced to say prayers in which they did not believe, or that government officials would become involved in writing prayers. The key passages of the amendment taking shape under Baker's efforts read: "Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group, vocal or silent prayer, in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any state to participate in prayer. Neither the United States nor any state shall compose or mandate the words of any prayer to be said in public schools...
...that organized, vocal prayer can never be truly voluntary. Children of different faiths, or none, will feel themselves forced by social pressure to join in. Contends Rabbi Balfour Brickner of Manhattan's Stephen Wise Free Synagogue: "If the prayer is spoken, it will be physically coercive, and if silent it will be psychologically coercive." The alternative, opponents contend, is to offer prayers so general as to be meaningless, even offensive to the truly religious. The establishment of a neutered "civil religion" is offensive to many who believe deeply in their own faiths. Says Robert Minor, professor of religious studies...
Ever since, the states have been looking for ways to permit school prayer without appearing to demand it. Nineteen states have passed laws establishing a time for silent prayer or meditation in classrooms. Where challenged, however, these laws are usually struck down. The Supreme Court has remained above the fray, preferring to let the lower courts deal with the problems. But with Congress and the President agitating over a school-prayer amendment, the Justices may not be able to sit out much longer...
...real test, set forth by the Chief Justice, now seems to be simply whether a religious practice presents "a real danger of establishment of a state church." Some states will argue that it is difficult to see "real danger" in a moment of silence. Furthermore, they will claim that silent meditation serves a secular purpose by making the students more reflective...
...that gives students a choice between prayer and meditation. In New Jersey a federal district court disallowed a law that does not even mention prayer but simply authorizes "quiet and private contemplation or introspection." Despite this ruling, several New Jersey schools still offer students a voluntary minute of silent meditation...