-Francis Bacon
The recent turmoil in Alabama over the ten commandments monument in the state court building is yet another example of how determined to get their way at whatever cost some people are. This is a debate that has going on for years and will never have an answer that will totally satisfy everybody.
The world is filled with differing religious views all of which have different ceremonies and traditions that they observe. Because of this diversity I think that the only real solution, though it won't make everybody happy, is to make sure that religion stays out of government completely.
Take, for instance, school prayer. Many religious people want time set aside out of the school day so that children can pray.
Why?
The average school day, from kindergarten to 12th grade, is filled with down moments where a child, if he or she wished, could bow their heads in prayer. Is it necessary to devote school time to this? Also, what happens when the Islamic child needs to bring in a carpet and kneel down facing Mecca? What happens when a child from some goofball cult needs to pray naked and standing on his head? Where would we draw the line? How much disturbance in the classroom can we tolerate in order to let these kids pray?
However, religious organizations should have equal access to public property (school gymnasiums, auditoriums, etc.) for their functions just like the Boy Scouts or other organizations. This type of use of public property is fine because they aren't using school time and they'd more than likely be renting the facility, just like any other organization. In addition to this, children should not be stopped from praying before class, in between classes, or after school as long as it is not disruptive to the other students.
We all need to learn to respect each other's beliefs, but I don't see that happening and since it can't we can at least keep the disturbance out of the schools. The kids have enough distractions as it is.
In addition, if you're doing a good job of teaching your religious values to your child at home he or she shouldn't have to have time set aside to pray in school.