Letter to the editor: Prayer not enough to keep children safe

Gary Franks’ column “School prayer could stem mass shootings” (June 3, TribLIVE) was lacking. Back in the ’50s, children went to smaller schools that were located in the communities. Mothers generally didn’t work and were involved in the home and schools, PTA and community groups. The neighbors were involved with the children in the town and their actions. Too many don’t even know their neighbors today. Very few children even actively play outside.

Franks seems to think teachers should be teaching children prayers. What about the parents to do that? A teacher likely has children from numerous religions, and that would take a good part of the day to get through their prayers alone. Maybe if parents weren’t too busy going to the Church of Walmart and recreation, they could find time to attend church for an hour instead of wanting teachers to teach children about religion. The blue law of businesses being closed on Sundays was abolished, with greed more important than attending church.

Perhaps your columnists should stick to supporting more mental health programs, school security and gun regulations to stop gun violence.

Neither political party has wanted to give an inch in any direction to change the issue, and all they have offered is thoughts and prayers. I am religious and don’t mean to be callous, but the only thing prayer in school can accomplish with no action from our government is that the children can pray when a shooter confronts them. Franks needs to realize 1950 was a whole different dynamic with the family and community and schools than 2022.

Carol Badgley

Hempfield