Op-Ed Idea

                  It is a custom here at BYU to start class and sporting events with a prayer.  That can be a very controversial subject among many, even among students here.  In nearly every religion, prayer is a central aspect, which enables us to communicate or express ourselves to a higher being or power. 

                  For some, starting nearly everything with a prayer here on campus is a very controversial subject.  They may feel that BYU is forcing the LDS religion on members of other faiths.  Even with it preaching so heavily the right to religious freedom, they are imposing that aspect of theirs upon all students.  Those arguments really are quite weak and have no solid basis to them.

                  Due to the fact that BYU stresses religious freedom, they expect others to respect theirs.  BYU is a private school owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  When anybody enrolls here at BYU, they know what they are getting themselves into. Even though some may think it is unlawful to start each activity with a prayer, saying it imposes on their religious freedom, it is in fact just an action of BYU’s religious freedom as well. 

                  Just because somebody is a member of another faith, doesn’t mean that they need to participate in things they don’t believe in.  Respect and tolerance for other religions is a major part of our rights as human beings.  Just because the institution where someone is attending has differing beliefs doesn’t mean that they are forcing them upon you.  You may choose to be respectful without actively participating or becoming a part of it.  Again, everybody who enrolls here at BYU are familiar with the belief system and practices, and they must make the conscious decision to either respect them, or chose somewhere else to receive their education.