Prayer in Public Schools (1995)

WHEREAS, organized prayer in public schools infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed separation of Church and State in the United States; and

WHEREAS, organized prayer in public schools debases distinctive religious expression, vital to maintaining particularistic religious beliefs; and

WHEREAS, a moment of silence for the purpose of silent prayer and silent meditation is the introduction of school prayer in public schools; and

WHEREAS, the institutionalization of prayer in public school setting, spoken or silent, fosters a religious exercise that has a coercive effect on many students; and

WHEREAS, truly voluntary prayer and religious expression is protected behavior in public schools as in all other settings of the United States;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNGAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM opposes any legislation that permits organized prayer or moments of silence for the purpose of prayer and meditation in the classrooms, at graduation ceremonies, sporting events or any other school-related even, whether led by students or other individuals.