I hear about this issue a lot on american shows and movies, but I don't fully grasp it yet.

So, who can tell me what is it exactly? Or better yet, here's a question:

I know that a principal can't force his students to come to an auditorium and make them pray a specific prayer, but if a few students, using their free will, decide to use an empty room in school to pray, can they? If some players of the footbal team want to pray together before the match, can they?

Thanks in advance to whomever answers this.

Ok. It's just that I heard of some cases, for example, like a girl who wanted to sing Amazing Grace in a schol talent contest and was prohibited.

So, I thought that this school prayer issue was different than I thought.

Why? You could do whatever you wanted on it. Dance, sing, act. Why can't she sing the song she wanted? If she chose it, it's because it means something for her.

Doesn't the U.S. Constitution say that the State shouldn't advance or hinder religions? If it is her personal choice, and it wasn't a religious oriented event (she was the only one who chose to sing a religious song), why is that wrong?

Wouldn't you be taking her freedom of choice?

1) How? The school got nothing to do with it. The girl chose it. Not them. If you say that the audience will have to listen to it, and some will not like, I will just respond: "It's a school talent show. 90% of that will be horrible! We can't remove something simply because it will annoy people"

2) Yes. If he chose it himself, yes.

3) What? Really. What? Have you ever heard the song?

PS - wretches? O_o

Are you sure? Would you really be comfortable if someone played something like this:

I don't really care if students make their own choice to pray...

I'm really big on personal liberties, therefore if an individual or group makes a decision to pray to God, Allah, Jesus, Buddah, or whomever, I think it is their right and no one should infringe upon that right. At the same time, I don't believe that prayer should be sanctioned by the school, because then it alienates those who believe differently.

I also think that if a kid wants to sing 'Amazing Grace' in a school talent show, he or she should be able to do so... just as I believe if a kid wants to sing about their Hindu dieties, they should be able to do so as well. Once you start telling individuals what they can and can't do, it's a downward spiral that knows no end.

This is the lyric to amazing grace:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

The only reference to wretches is when the singer call himself that (as in he was that). I can see you thinking that he is refering to all non-believers, but this is more a "i was lost and now i´m found" way of expressing oneself.

The singer believes that he is better off now than when he didn't believe. Why is that wrong?

Don't atheits who were once believers talk about how they were freed from slavery? Some religious people could take offense to that, but I see as someone who felt bad while religious and doesn't anymore. He is not attacking anyone (in this case).

@flow - I couldn't hear the song cause my internet is really screwy right now, so I just have the name

And no, I would not. I do think I get your point, which I think is that some songs will be offensive to others, but then this stops being about schoolprayer and starts beign about tolerance x freedom of speech which is more complicated

BUt is the song you posted something delberaretly made to make fun of religion or a serious attempt at music?

I'm sorry, but I hardly think that if someone sings a tribute to Buddah in a school talent competition that I would fall over and die.  I could care less if they did that.

However if the school were to sanction a talent show where they required mandatory participation in singing a song about the buddah, then that is crossing the line. 

Just as if someone wears a shirt that says, "Don't hate, celebrate being gay", I really wouldn't care.  They are making a personal expersion of their beliefs... Just as when a kid wears "I Love Jesus" T-shirt, that's his business, and no one should say two words about it.

Now, there are limits once those rights infringe upon someone else's right.

For instance, if a shirt were to read, "Kill Homosexuals" or "Burn in hell unbeliever", that is crossing the line by inciting violence against other individuals.  You don't have the right to incite or promote violence against other people.

Lol at bolded

And everyone is a little bias. That's why these threads always get the most heated posts (except mine )

Ok, i admit it, it was making fun lol, but seriously...

I really wouldn't give a damn if someone sing padre marcelo rossi in a talents show, but most christians i know make fun of other people religions (and my lack of religion, but they fail miserably at trying that) and hell... People here will say any metal is satanic, and if so, i won't stand no amazing grace either...

I know it's not everybody who does this and people like this poor girl had to pay for it, but it's the way it is... :P