Public schools exist to educate, not to proselytize. Religion is private,
and schools are public, so it is appropriate that the two should not mix.
Our public schools are for all children, whether Catholic, Baptist, Quaker,
atheist, Buddhist, Jewish, agnostic. The schools are supported by all
taxpayers, and therefore should be free of religious observances. When
religion has invaded our public school system, it has singled out the lone
Jewish student, the class Unitarian or agnostic, the children in the minority.
Individual, silent, personal prayer never has and never could be
outlawed in public schools. It is dishonest to call any prayer "voluntary"
that is encouraged or required by a public official or legislature. By
definition, if the government suggests that students pray, whether by
penning the prayer, asking them to vote whether to pray or setting aside
time to pray, it is endorsing and promoting that prayer. …
