One thing I found interesting last week when I observed, was that as part of the morning announcements - the kids observe a minute of silence... where they are instructed to meditate, pray or just sit quietly. I thought that was really refreshing, and of course I know the principal and she's a Christ-Follower... so it was a neat way to bring that into the school without going against any of the separation of church & state laws. In that light, here is some food for thought... in light of my career of choice... my father-in-law sent me this:
After being interviewed by the school administration, the teaching prospect said,
"Let me see if I've got this right: You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.
You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.
You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.
You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the state exams.
You want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.
You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.
You want me to do all this and then you tell me........I CAN'T PRAY?"
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that so many of the problems in schools today (the violence, weapons, disrespect etc) started when prayer was taken away. So what do we see now? That since they took prayer away, we need God in our schools more than ever.
It's strange, but I remember praying in school even though it's illegal for the administration to force it. I remember student-led prayers before football games on the PA system, "moments of silence" after the pledge, etc. It never felt to me like we weren't allowed to pray in schools. The football players always attended church together on Sundays, they definitely prayed at every practice and before every game, etc. But I grew up in a pretty small town, so I realize it was probably an unusual experience.
ReplyDeleteGod was added to the Texas pledge recently. And God is in the Pledge of Allegiance. And God can be in the moment of silence. And kids do still pray at school through FCA. I see God everyday at school.
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