Without Prayer in Schools, We Haven’t Got a Prayer!
If a line is drawn in the sand, and you cross it; be prepared to find out why that line was there.
In the U.S. for nearly 200 years, it was presumed that God was allowed into government at all levels. He was permitted because it was considered a necessary component for the success and prosperity of our nation. As one example, John Adams, Signer of the
Declaration of Independence and Second President of the United States said “[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.”
Regarding education, God’s inclusion was considered essential because it was the method by which national survival training was maintained. In this instance, that line was the exclusion/inclusion of God, by the act of prayer in schools. God’s guidance made our system work.
However, in 1962 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Engel v. Vitale that the U.S. Constitution forbid prayer in public schools. The following year, in Abington Township School District v. Schempp, the Court again ruled that prayer had no place in public schools. In both cases, the Court cited the first amendment establishment clause. Since then, it has been widely promoted that God has no place in the schools. I can’t help notice the timing though.
Teenage pregnancy – From 1961 to 2000 children born out of wedlock to teens rose from 16% to 79%. From 1950 to 1961, the rate rose from 13% to 16%. By 1970 that rate was 29%. By 1980, that rate rose to 49%.
Divorce Rate – According to “The Evolution of Divorce” by Brad Wilcox in National Affairs From 1960 to 1980 divorce rates doubled. That rate remained relatively constant so that in 1960 the rate of marriages ending in divorce were only 11%. Today, the divorce rate for first marriages is at approximately 50%.
Violent Crime – According to statistics from the DisasterCenter.com, the incidents of violent crime increased from 1.887% (meaning that 1.887% of people suffered a violent crime in that year) to 5.95% (which is more than a 300% increase in violent crime).
From my perspective, when our country crossed that line and told God he was not welcome in our schools, we crossed the line. Since then, we haven’t had a prayer.
