The memo, which is unsigned, is presented as "some ideas from PAL for the moment of silence." Before listing the prayers, it acknowledges that some students may use the moment "to reflect on personal goals for the day, or just clear the mind and listen to silence."
"Clearly, the teacher didn't mean any harm and was trying to be helpful," Haugen said. "But she miscommunicated the whole concept of what we're trying to do."
Times staff writer Elaine Gale contributed to this report.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Recommended Prayers
A memo to teachers at Magnolia High School in Anaheim recommends the following prayers for the district-mandated "moment of silence" each day. Many on and off campus say suggesting prayers--of any religion--is improper in a public school.
A Bahai Prayer
O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of thy might and the wondrous signs of thy greatness. O God, protect these children. Graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God, these children are pearls. Cause them to be nurtured within the shell of thy loving kindness. Thou are the bountiful, the all-loving.
A Buddhist Prayer
Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and protects her only child, so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things. Let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another. May all beings be happy. May they live in safety, free from fear and distress.
A Christian Prayer
Loving God, you sent Jesus to show us how to live nonviolently. Jesus, you listened carefully to everyone. You cared about the feelings of others. You forgave those who hurt you. Your heart went out to people no one else cared about. Jesus, send us your spirit to help each of us be truthful whenever we speak, loving whenever we act and courageous whenever we find violence or injustice around us. We make our family pledge counting on your mercy and love to help us live it faithfully.
An Islamic Prayer
All praise is due to you, our Lord, guardian and cherisher of the universe, who have sent the prophets to teach us how to live as full human beings. Make us among those who can truly say, "We hear and obey." Awaken in our hearts those attributes you love the best and help us to be merciful, compassionate, forgiving, truthful, just and patient with each other and with all those around us. Make us worthy to be counted in the community of your beloved, who said, "The best of you are those who are the best to their families."
A Jewish Prayer
O God, God of my brothers and sisters, relations and friends, God of my ancestors, God of all connections with all things, you, through all obstacles. You, in our emptiness and in our abundance, you, in our search for peace. You. We have given ourselves to sacred coalition with you in the repair of the world. Tikkun. As you make peace there, let there be peace among us, among all peoples, changing the world one person at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time, one world. Amen.
A Unitarian-Universalist Prayer
Mystery of life, source of all being, we are thankful for the gifts of life and being, of love and connection. We are thankful for all the wonders of the world around us. We are thankful for each other and for all the members of our global family. As we make our family pledge, may we have eyes that see, hearts that love and hands that are ready to serve in love and in kindness, with caring and with courage. Blessed be.
