Prayer in public schools has been a subject of controversy ever since the Supreme Court ruled in 1962 that "any kind of prayer, composed by public school districts, even non-denominational, is unconstitutional government sponsorship of religion" (U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on Separation of Church and State web site). The next year the Court found that "Bible reading over the school intercom was unconstitutional" because it forced a child "to participate in Bible reading and prayer." The Court banned posting the 10 Commandments in school in 1980 and ruled in 1985 that a moment of silence in school, if done to encourage prayer, was unconstitutional (Answers.com). All these decisions are based on the U.S. Constitution which bars the State from sponsoring any particular religion: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech." (The U.S. Constitution Online).

             The teachers and administrators in public schools are considered representatives of the State, which is why they cannot promote religion or prayer in school. However, the Constitution only bars the State and its agents from promoting prayer. It says nothing about what the students may or may not do on their own. Neither the Supreme Court, nor the Constitution has said that a student may not bring a Bible to school, for example, carry it around and read it between classes. Yet, teachers and administrators have prohibited students from bringing a Bible to school. This is a gross misinterpretation of what the Court and the Constitution have ruled. "It is true, unfortunately, that there have been a few overly zealous school administrators who have gone too far and tried to do more than the courts have authorized" (Church/State Separation website). It is not against the law for students to hold hands in a circle and pray together before a football game for the safety of the players; yet, students have been censored by the schools who think they are doing something against the law.