Bill Requiring Moment of Silence in Public Schools Clears House Committee

We already have legislation permitting a school or teacher to observe a moment of silence. What was the compelling reason for making a law forcing everyone to participate? Even those of us who value prayer should think this through carefully. Why would anyone think it is acceptable for the government to make a law requiring us to essentially "sit down and shut up" even for such a small time as 60 seconds?

As a teacher, I think this bill is ridiculous. I have a hard enough time trying to get everything done in a class period that I need to, without more time being taken out. This will turn into a time of me trying to corral my students because they will view it as a waste of time, which it is. If students really need time taken out of class to reflect or meditate, I don't see what 60 seconds will actually do for them. I see this bill as a way to legally integrate prayer into schools.

ArkMother: I actually am planning on homeschooling my youngest because of all of the rights that have been taken away by our state. Eagle Wings is correct-this action is unconstitutional. If one of my child's teachers asked my children to take 60 seconds to scan spelling words or to go over notes from class, that would be something productive and I would be ok with that. That's not what this bill is about. blueyes76-I have thought about this and I have done my research, which is why I am speaking against this bill. This bill has a hidden agenda to put prayer back into schools. I'm not surprised that the bill was amended to include prayer. This is not an example of "less government intrusion" as we were promised by many during elections. My children already pray silently at school; they don't need the government to tell them when to do so. Keep church and state separate.

ArkMother: I actually am planning on homeschooling my youngest because of all of the rights that have been taken away by our state. Eagle Wings is correct-this action is unconstitutional. If one of my child's teachers asked my children to take 60 seconds to scan spelling words or to go over notes from class, that would be something productive and I would be ok with that. That's not what this bill is about. blueyes76-I have thought about this and I have done my research, which is why I am speaking against this bill. This bill has a hidden agenda to put prayer back into schools. I'm not surprised that the bill was amended to include prayer. This is not an example of "less government intrusion" as we were promised by many during elections. My children already pray silently at school; they don't need the government to tell them when to do so. Keep church and state separate.

This is very similar to a court case already struck down by the US Supreme Court... Wallace v. Jaffree This action is unconstitutional

ArkMother I'm with you on this one. People asking why and thinking that one minute of silence is not productive is what is wrong with our schools and society today. People should take a minute to think before they speak sometimes.

To littlerockmom....ONE MINUTE????? You think that's going to seriously have a negative effect on your child's educaton? They can use that 60 seconds to scan spelling words or go over notes from the last class-whatever. After years of teaching, I can attest to the fact that most students need to reflect on something, and if 60 seconds out of the day hurts your child so much, then you need to home school them.

A moment of silence has nothing to do with education. Our children go to school to learn, not to be forced to sit there and do nothing productive. A minute a day can seriously add up to a lot of wasted time not spent learning.

Why ask why? Who's it going to hurt?

@CaptainZoom - Why not?