Prayers during grad ceremony.

This year they said a total of four prayers at the graduation ceremony for our public high school. In the state of Indiana it is illegal to say prayers in school unless it's done in a group such as Fellow Christian Athletes, that one would go to willingly. The fact that they did not take everybody's beliefs into consideration offended me. I think I might talk to the dean about this to prevent it from happening again. What is your opinion on this situation?

Even christians ought to object to this, really. Next time there's prayers, they may not be for _your_ religion. Everyone is better off if religion is left to people, not government organisations.

thats messed up, I'd complain.

I think that the world has gone P.C mad!! as in 'political correctness'!!!

however, unless they are going to cover every religion in the school believed, then they shouldn't do it.

although, if someone is religious, then they should be permitted an oppertunity...

but why can't they just do 3 minutes silent prayer? then who ever gets to prey to whoever, and no harm done!

ew...
thats really messed up

I agree with the above...
id protest lol

instead of saying no prayers at all (because honestly, a lot of people belong to some sort of faith, or at the very least pray), why don't you suggest that time for prayers of all different faiths?

at my high school graduation, all different faiths are embraced. instead of banning prayer...give everyone an opportunity.

How dare they speak to Almighty God to ask His blessing and favor upon all in attendance - How terrible !! - Who would want God's favor, mercy, grace, or blessing !!...me.

If you are of a different belief or of no belief at all.Why not just not pray.Nobody forcing you to do it.It not really meant to be offensive it just what some people do.

Was graduation held in the school???
That was a ceremony, not school...
I am not for forced prayer that ignores other faiths but this is not school...

I'm not sure how graduation exercises are not a school-sponsored event. And if that school is public, then prayers were illegal. Someone should certainly step up but that takes a lot of guts.

I dont see why its so offensive. I mean, YOU are not taking everyones beliefs into consideration, are you? Just as some people dont want to pray, some people do. For some reason, its only the people who dont want to pray that have any rights. If you dont want to pray, just dont. If they were giving you a sermon on why you should have certain beliefs and telling you that you would go to hell if you didnt change your ways, that would certainly be offensive.

I imagine if the prayers had been to Brahman, Allah, or the Earth Goddess rather than the Western father 'God' of the bible, those above arguing how wonderful prayer is at graduations might feel differently.

Courts have ruled that if a student does it rather than the administration, it's ok. However, I've seen what are obvious set ups at graduations, where the student leading the prayer had no qualifications for being in front of the crowd other than a willingness to say public prayers. In that sort of situation, the student is actually representing the administration since they were chosen for that express purpose, and that falls in the realm of unconstitutional activity.

Complain. You're in good company if you do - many people have objected to publically enforced displays of religion (peer pressure is a powerful thing), and almost universally when it goes to court, they rule in their favour.

On the downside, graduation is a one-time thing, so you may have difficulty determining if they're actually taking you seriously and won't do it next time.

My opinion is that you are following the enemy of your soul, and I pray that God would intervene and bring you the truth.

God bless...

toadaly, if prayers were said at my graduation that were not christian, it would not bother me. Hearing prayers to the deities you mentioned doesnt actually harm me in anyway. You can pray to Brahman, Allah, or whoever around me as much as you like. Some of my muslim friends come over to my flat during the day to pray to Allah as it is closer to uni then where they live. Its not a big deal.

Wow, I can see there is a huge debate on this issue. I agree with what was said earlier. Let there be 3 minutes of silence and let whomever as wants pray and those who don't can sit still and think for a few minutes.

thats screwed up there was this one teacher in my 8th grade last year tried to make us sing a psalm I talked to him he acually still respects me

but religion and sate are supposed to be separate and a school is a part of the state so yea id complain or sue