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Write a reply to the following discussion post:In this instance, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the state from passing laws that aid a religion or show preference for one religions over another, is affected by the actions of the school, as well as the Free Exercise clause, which does not allow the state to interfere with a persons own religious freedoms (Essex, 2016, p. 17). By having a recited prayer, scripture reading, and blessings before meals, the school is violating the Establishment Clause in that it has established practices of a particular religion. It is violating the free exercise clause of students and staff by imposing a particular religion on them as well. As Essex (2016) states, the combination of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause require schools to take a neutral position on religion, and they can neither aid nor inhibit religion through their operational practices (p. 17).In discussing this with my school staff, Id have to show how the practices currently in place are violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment as the school is essentially aiding in the promotion of one particular religion over all others. As Essex (2016) writes, institutionally sponsored prayer is an obvious violation of the Establishment Clause (p.21). Because the prayer and Bible reading is conducted over the intercom each day, it is clearly an institutionally sponsored event. I would also illustrate how it is violating the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment as the school is imposing one religion on students and staff as they are unable to avoid it due to the broadcast being over the intercom each day, thus it is inhibiting their right to free exercise of religion. By implementing prayer and scripture reading in this manner, the school is fostering excessive entanglement between the church and state.. Further, by implementing a daily school-wide prayer and scripture reading, the school is not adhering to the principle of neutrality in which the state (school) cannot aid, or inhibit, any one particular religion.In order to not be in violation of the First Amendment, the school will need to immediately end its practice of reciting prayer and scripture verses over the intercom. The school must make it clear that if students are not restricted from praying, but the school and staff cannot initiate the prayer. As Essex (2016) discusses in the text, students have the right to pray voluntarily any time and any place as long as it is private, strictly voluntary, and does not infringe on the rights of others (p. 21). The school and staff in their official capacities, however, may not instate school-wide prayer or scripture readings.ReferencesEssex, N.L (2016). School law and the public schools (6th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

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