No, I don't support it.
This has long been a staple of the fundamentalist Christian doctrine...get 'em while their young. They act like they're so supportive of the children's spiritual growth...it's perplexing. The only conclusion I can come to is that they actually do. Nonetheless, the school is not a place for religious practice. I think all small children and young adults have the right to learn in a dogma-free environment.
"What about school violence?" one may ask. "You can't deny that schools were much safer when we had prayer in them."
Well, here's my answer: Mandatory school prayer was abolished my the Supreme Court in 1963...the problems didn't start until more than 25 years later...honestly, I fail to see a connection. What was the hold-up? If this is God's punishment for "taking him out of the schools" (which we shouldn't be able to do to an omnipotent being, right?), then why did it take so long?
That same person may retaliate by saying "Well, that may be, but I have the right to pray when and where I want!"
That's absolutely correct. And guess what...no one told you that you couldn't. Students are still alowed to pray in groups or to themselves. Only faculty lead and PA system prayers have been abolished so far.
"Well, they won't let me pray at a football game!" that same person might spit.
Well, "they" are pretty screwed up...You are allowed to pray at football games. BUT not over a loudspeaker. That forces the captive audience to sit and listen to religious drivel. They can't escape the sound of the loudspeaker, and it's not worth leaving the grounds for 15 seconds just to escape. Pray in private groups if you like, but getting on a loudspeaker and making me listen to them is really no better than me getting up and screaming out atheist comments, making them listen to what I say.
There's more to be said on this matter, but I think that'll be enough for this little article....