S3:E39 Is School Prayer Illegal?

S3:E39 Is School Prayer Illegal?

When did school prayer become illegal?

American Christians have disagreed about school prayer ever since it was declared illegal in the 1960s by the Supreme Court of the United States. But what were the conditions surrounding that debate?

In this episode of Truce, we break down the debate using Justice Hugo Black’s majority argument against school prayer. It goes all the way back to the founding of the Church of England when Thomas Cranmer wrote the Book of Common Prayer and helped the king solidify his divorce. Thomas Cranmer was Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest role in the Church of England. But when Mary Tudor rose to the role of queen, she executed Cranmer because she was Catholic and he was Protestant.

Justice Black’s decision hinged on the story of Cranmer. England was thrown into turmoil with every new regent because they could change the religion. The US, he argued, was founded on principles that would keep that from happening. The Establishment Clause of the US Constitution prohibits the government from establishing a religion. So… is school prayer a violation of the Establishment Clause?

When did school prayer become illegal? 1962.

What do you think?

Discussion Questions:

  • Have you ever used prayer as a weapon like Chris did in the locker room for his school play?
  • What are the benefits of prayers that are written down? What are the drawbacks?
  • Do you recite written prayers? Why or why not?
  • Was the Regent’s Prayer right in being non-specific about which God it referred to?
  • Do you think your country would benefit from a national religion? What if that religion could be changed over time?
  • Did you ever pray in school?
  • Should we pray in schools?
  • What did you think of Justice Hugo Black’s majority opinion which used the example of the Church of England in the 1500s as a reason why we should not have school prayer?

Helpful links:

S3:E38 Jerry Falwell and Apartheid

S3:E38 Jerry Falwell and Apartheid

Jerry Falwell Sr. had a controversial stance on apartheid segregation in South Africa.

Jerry Falwell Sr. had a controversial stance on apartheid segregation in South Africa. He was one of the most outspoken evangelical Christians in the 1980s. He founded Liberty University and the Moral Majority political movement. In 1985 he went on a trip to visit South Africa, which was then engaged in its apartheid practices. That meant keeping 80% of the land for white use only and moving black people to reservations. It was a black majority country controlled by the white minority.

Upon his return, Falwell made some controversial statements. Including one that American Christians should not protest South Africa or demand sanctions. Seems crazy, right? But South African guerillas were being funded (in part) by the Soviet Union. The worry that communism would take over South Africa was real. Which of the two evils would Christians choose? Backing an apartheid government, or potentially supporting the Soviet-sponsored rebels?

Our guest today is Melani McAlister, author of the excellent book “The Kingdom of God Has No Borders“. She is also professor of American Studies and International Affairs at George Washington University.

Discussion Questions:

  • What do you think of Falwell’s position on apartheid?
  • Do you think the US concern about communism was appropriate?
  • What were Americans afraid of when it came to communism?
  • When in history have you or the Church had to choose between the lesser of two evils?
  • How could that have been handled differently?

Helpful Links:

  • C-SPAN video of Jerry Falwell (edited for the show)
  • George Washington University video featuring Melani