Prayer Circles Here to Stay?
January 2004

Recent studies by the Gallup Organization and the University of Berkeley show a more conservative population of teenagers than in year's past.  From generation to generation, it's been prevalent that more teenagers
have begun to take the liberal point of view on most controversial issues.  One of the two issues recently studied was "prayer during official school activities," and the conservative view of this generation's students leans toward restrictions on such acts.

This year Novi High School is faced with a controversy of its own.  Primarily Christian students in all four grades of the high school have begun to gather together and pray silently on Wednesdays before school.  Similar to schools nation-wide, the praying began as a "see-you-at-the-pole" gathering
on the 10 Mile side of the school, but it has since moved to the Commons, which
happens to be the area most traveled by before the 7:15 bell.  What are now
known by most as the "prayer circles," have stirred up a bit of debate among high school students and the faculty.  But while the faculty tends to stay neutral and mediate the debate, much of the student body has divided on the issue.

The idea of a silent expression of religion may seem harmless to some, and probably goes unnoticed in most schools across the country, but it seems to have struck a bad cord with a good deal of NHS students.  In a place that is meant to be separated from religion by the law, the prayer circles have opened a door to religious debate within the high school.  And with the clashing opinions of some of the nation's brightest students, it's safe to say that door is best kept closed.

Those against the prayer circles are the aggressors in the argument, calling for some sort of change.  Though they aren't necessarily against religion as a whole, the general complaint is that religion is being "shoved in their face."  They claim they shouldn't have to see this display when
they enter the public school.  The majority of those against the prayer circles could care less that it's taking place in their school, but it's where it's happening that is
the problem.

Despite being viewed by others as the more stubborn and defensive side of the argument, those that support the prayer circles aren't budging, and for good reason.  Why don't they move?  For the same reason the other side won't stop complaining.  Why doesn't someone just move them?  Because the law won't allow it.  Religious groups are allowed to meet in any way and in any place that the school would normally allow any other group or club to meet.  And since Novi High School would be more than happy to allow any other group to gather silently in the Commons before school, nothing is stopping a prayer group from doing the same.  So for the time being the prayer circles are staying put.

So it may appear the argument is at a stand still.  It seems everyone is waiting around for something to be done about these prayer circles, without realizing the possibility that something has been done.  After all, for one side of the argument to win, the prayer circles would have to be stopped or moved.
But for the other side to win, nothing would have to happen at all.  And judging by what has happened so far (nothing), that just might be the end of the argument, and it appears the prayer circles are there to stay.
 

(c) 2003 the Novi Information Network