The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Ring
A controversial new Illinois law requires K-12 public school students to observe a moment of silence at the start of every school day. Supporters of the law argue that it gives students some much-needed serenity, whether they choose to reflect spiritually, to consider the day ahead, or simply to decompress. But others view this mandatory silence as a thinly veiled promotion of state-sanctioned prayer, which they feel has no place in public schools. Does this new law provide a peaceful start to the school day, or does it violate the separation of church and state? Tell us what you think.
Does a new mandatory moment of silence amount to prayer in school?
Yes. A "moment of silence" is unconstitutional and serves no educational purpose. There is no legitimate reason to mandate such a moment, other than to insert religious observance into public school life.
29% (49 votes)
No. Students are free to observe the moment however they see fit, be it through relaxation, reflection, or prayer. This daily experience will leave them calmer, more focused, and better equipped to learn.
48% (80 votes)
Maybe. Though a moment of silence is not necessarily religious and can be beneficial, the decision to observe one should be left up to individual principals and teachers based on school and classroom needs.
21% (36 votes)
None of the above. (Comment below.)
2% (3 votes)
Total votes: 168
Sweet Silence
Submitted by Maertha J (not verified) on September 4, 2008 - 07:43.
For years I've had my adult education/parents classes begin with transition time. We've done quiet deep breathing, quietly focussed on what we want for the day, or held a moment of silence. All these methods have helped learners prepare their brain and body and spirit to have a meaningful and productive day.
As long as we have tests?
Submitted by OkieJohn (not verified) on September 3, 2008 - 11:40.
As long as we have tests? There will be prayer in schools.
moment of silence
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 15, 2008 - 11:12.
What people don't seem to understand is that no one says that you CAN'T pray in school. There is no need to have a MANDATORY moment of silence for prayer or meditation. If you want to pray, go right ahead and pray. You are allowed to pray in school, but the school is not allowed to make it mandatory. Making this law mandatory will make mandatory prayer in school one step closer. What would anyone think if we made it mandatory for people not to pray in school? How would religious people react then?
Mandated in our state
Submitted by Ricci Slobodnik (not verified) on January 9, 2008 - 14:57.
Moment of silence has already been mandated in my state for several years. Unfortunately, no one mandated the teachers to instruct the students on how to use the time. So what happens is that it becomes a "shushing" moment for the teacher to keep the students quiet for no apparent reason. I've appretiated reading all of the posts that help me understand the benefits of the time and ways to explain it to my students...religous or not.
hi there
Submitted by samantha (not verified) on December 28, 2007 - 22:30.
i pray everyday at school and everything
it's just a minute
Submitted by ashlee (not verified) on December 6, 2007 - 17:27.
Mat. 7:1-5…1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
im not trying to bash anyone who is not christian or who does not beleive in jesus christ as the son of god, but honestly get over it! why is it not okay for us to take ONE minute of the day to praise or worship our lord while through out the rest of the day people are taking his name in vain or talking trash about him??? i am not here to impress anyone on this world, but to live breath for god my father!
-god bless
Moment of silent reflection
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 14, 2008 - 19:08.
Students have as many minutes as they want during the day to pray to whatever or whomever they desire. During class before a test? They have the right. During passing time in the hall? They have the right. During lunch before they eat? They have that right. Before going to the freethrow line during the basketball game? They have that right. If you are not here to impress anyone but God, then why must you feel the need to mandate this moment for everyone. Isn't prayer a very personal thing? Doesn't mandating it cheapen it and contradict the intensely personal nature of the experience? Pray whenever and wherever you want, just leave those of us who do not desire to do so out of the equation.
praaaaaaaaay
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 5, 2007 - 11:11.
not your biss. so just keep yr coments to yr self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Catholic School Views
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 29, 2007 - 12:13.
Wow, are all of you people so mad at the fact that we have actually instated this law? The fact that Illinois would like to OFFER... key word, OFFER a mandatory moment of silence? I goto a Catholic High School, but is everyone here Catholic? No... in case you were confused at the answer. It is not mandatory to be a Catholic to attend here, but when the prayer blares over the PA in the morning, everyone stands up. Merely to respect the religions that are being silently represented. These kids are not angry that they are being asked to move the muscles for them to raise up for a moment to stand in silence. Get over it... its a minute. Good God.
How can we be against
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on November 24, 2007 - 16:29.
How can we be against something that promotes the idea that kids and teachers alike can reflect and mentally prepare themselves for being at school to do more than socialize and eat lunch? The law allows students and teachers to do what is best for them and doesn't even take funding! - we can't say that for many other "mandatory" laws that come down the pike!
This is a good thing, let's not make it political or religious.
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