Moment of silence vs prayer in school?

I saw this regarding "a moment of silence" in my NEA e-mail today: USA Today (11/16, Keen) reports, "A federal judge put a stop Thursday to enforcing a mandatory moment of silence in Illinois public schools that opponents say is an attempt to institute school prayer." The law [required] schools to offer a mandatory moment of silence during the day. Federal Judge Robert Gettleman "ordered the State Board of Education not to enforce the new law while a suit filed by the father of a public school student proceeds," ... In his order, the judge "said the statute is vague and might violate the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from promoting religion."

I'm no proponent of prayer in school, but I "enforced" my school's moment of silence each morning. I explained that one could pray or not, as seemed appropriate to the individual, but that remaining silent was good practice in civility, and a chance for the individual to collect his thoughts for the day.

Was I wrong in this?

Vini - I'm not in Illinois. My state mandated a pledge to the US flag, to the state flag, and a moment of silence. I know I was right legally. My question is of an ethical nature.

i think a moment of silence can be used for whatever each student wants it to be...either they're praying or they're just getting mentally prepared for the day..seriously people have to complain about everything now a days...i remember when i was in school we always had a moment of silence and it didn't scar my mental well being..

I'm not saying you were "wrong" but as far as I'm concerned - kids are in school to learn.

Period.

Do you get a "moment of silence" at your work?

I don't.

As long as there are tests in school, there will be prayer.

Yes, you were wrong.

A teacher must deliver the state mandated curriculum in accordance with the law.

If the state mandates that a minute's silence not be enforced due to a lawful prohibition, it is encumbent on you to obey it.

Diasgree with it in lawful ways. Voice your dissent. Vote. But how can you encourage civility with a demonstration of civil disobediance?

The constitution guarantees your student's rights to practice religion in their own way, but protects others from that right by mandating that in a collective state controlled activity nothing can be enforced that might promote a religion.

Perhaps you could instruct your students to be quiet in order that you may conduct a headcount without distraction.

Now that might take a minute.

In any event if you tear down laws even in order to pursue the devil across the land, you have nothing to protect you as he chases you back across it.

how do you offer something that is mandatory . . . it's not really an efficient use of the English language? And to answer your question . . . don't care one way or the other .. . I pray all the time in public places . . . I just don't announce it