Prayer and School and Morality

It seems to me that prayer (and religion) within the fabric of American society produced the most powerful nation on Earth. Only in the last three decades, since the rise of the drugs/free-love movement, has this come into question -- and I defy anyone to tell me that this nation's moral fiber is stronger for it.

For nearly two centuries people would recoil in utter shock if a woman uttered profanity; now we see it on prime-time television.
For nearly two centuries, it was understood that this country was founded upon those tenets introduced by religion, while never endorsing any religion above any other (though slight deference was always -- and still is -- paid to Christian denominations; hence our federal holiday of Christmas, for example).

By and large, it was believed for centuries that children who were taught religion in some form would grow up to be moral adults. We ALL know of the exceptions to this rule, but up until the 1960s this country was predicated on that very idea, and very successfully so.

Read quotes from almost any of the Founding Fathers, from almost any president, up until that time (and a very few after, like Reagan); read the school texts, the newspaper articles. It was a simpler time, a happier time, and a far more moral time.

Our coins reflect a belief in the Almighty; our government bodies always began sessions with a prayer; the Ten Commandments used to be taught to every schoolchild, and posted in every courtroom.

Now, all of that said: Religion has no place in government. But religion does provide the moral basis for determining one's actions. If you hear someone is a Christian, for example, you can be reasonably sure (whether you admit it or not) that the person is honest and trustworthy, even if you don't share their beliefs.

In my view, that's why so many voters want someone with a long tradition of being religious: Their religion provides a roadmap for determining their future actions. Not 100%, no, but when a person has been raised without religion, you sense they are also without conviction... without morals, principles, or ethics. And I believe we saw that in the last administration.

So why not allow prayer in school?? Why is it so offensive? Whom is it hurting? What's wrong with a 'moment of silence' if you disagree with the word 'prayer'?

Why does a vocal minority get to decide some of the most basic, important questions facing America and her future?