When we look at the history of America, it is fascinating to see how the public school system even got started. The first American schools were not public schools, as many might assume. Instead, “the first schools in the United States were religious, not secular” (Elifson 1). Until the 1960s, almost all public schools integrated religion and prayer into their classrooms; However, over the past 50 years, prayer and religion in public schools have been debated repeatedly. Even in Hudsonville, Michigan, which holds the Guinness Book of Records record for having the most churches on a single street, there is much debate about prayer and the teaching of Christianity, or any other religion, in public schools. When I was in elementary school, I remember the controversy over the valedictorian of Hudsonville High School who wanted to pray with her students at graduation. However, due to recent laws passed by lawmakers, the school does not allow him to pray with his classmates. Even though laws most often side with separation of church and state, many scholars still support prayer in schools and believe that it does not violate the constitution but enhances the educational experience . Others argue that this contradicts the constitution and that many schools are not following the constitution when teaching creationism and prayer in public schools. People who support teaching religions in public schools argue that it is essential that students learn the origins of many religions. religions in order to understand the cultural issues that materialize in today's world. Samuel Ayers and Shelly Reid are two educators in Texas schools and they agree with this statement. They argue constantly... middle of paper ...... school: The experience of one Texas district. Social Studies, 96(1), 14-17. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Boston, R. (June 2007). There should be no prayer or Bible study in public schools. the Humanist, 67, 38. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Eric Woodrum; Thomas, H. (n.d.). Support for prayer at school and creationism. Sociological Analysis, 53(3), from EBSCOhost.Kirk W. Elifson; C. Kirk, H. (n.d.). Prayer in Public Schools: When Church and State Collide. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 49(3), from EBSCOhost. Urbina, I. (January 20, 2010). A teacher with a Bible divides an Ohio town. New York Times. p. 11. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.Walsh, S. and Demere, TA (December 7, 2000). Creationism should not be taught in public schools. Facts, faith and fairness. Retrieved March 1, 2011 from Opposing Viewpoints in Context.