A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony of a tragic historical event. Prayer is an effort to communicate with God, or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions. ... A flag is a piece of coloured cloth flown from a pole or mast, usually for purposes of signalling or identification. ... Flag Flying Half-Staff over the White House Half-mast, or half-staff, describes the act of flying a flag approximately halfway up a flagpole (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up the flagpole is acceptable). ... Mourning is in the simplest sense synonymous with grief over the death of a friend or relative. ... Commemorations are days on the varying liturgical calendars of Christian Churches that are optional celebrations of saints. ...

One minute is a common length of time for the commemoration, though other periods of time may be chosen, normally connected in some way with the event being commemorated (there might be a minute given for every death, for example). During the moment of silence, participants may typically bow their heads, remove hats, and refrain from speaking or moving places for the duration. A person officiating or presiding over the gathering will be responsible for the declaring and timing of the period of silence. A minute is: a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour and to 60 seconds. ... In Western culture, skeletons are often the symbol of death. ...

A moment of silence may be accompanied by other acts of symbolic significance, such as the tolling of bells, the release of doves or balloons, or a performance of the Last Post. Genera Subfamily Columbinae Columba Nesoenas Streptopelia Macropygia Reinwardtoena Turacoena Turtur Oena Chalcophaps Henicophaps Phaps Ocyphaps Geophaps Petrophassa Geopelia Leucosarcia Zenaida Ectopistes (extinct) Columbina Claravis Metropelia Scardafella Uropelia Leptotila Geotrygon Starnoenas Caloenas Gallicolumba Trugon Microgoura (extinct?) Subfamily Otidiphabinae Otidiphaps Subfamily Gourinae Goura Subfamily Didunculinae Didunculus Subfamily Treroninae Phapitreron Treron Ptilinopus Drepanoptila... Balloons are often used or given on special occasions, like greeting cards or flowers. ... The Last Post is a tune, usually played on a Bugle, used at military funerals and ceremonies commemorating those who have fallen in war. ...

Moments of silence and the separation of church and state

In the United States, the "prayer" aspect of the moment of silence is often debated as part of a wider discussion involving the separation of church and state. The separation of church and state is a concept and philosophy in modern thought and practice, whereby the structures of state or national government are proposed as needing to be separate from those of religious institutions. ... The phrase separation of church and state is a common interpretation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which reads, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . ...

Given that it is lacking in any specific religious formulation, the use of the moment of silence in public places (such as public schools and town halls in lieu of a prayer) has brought a remedy for those seeking religious tolerance and others urging the removal of religion from public institutions. The term public school has different meanings: In England and Wales, one of a small number of prestigious historic schools open to the public which normally charge fees and are financed by bodies other than the state, commonly as private charitable trusts; here the word public is used much as... Prayer is an effort to communicate with God, or to some deity or deities, or another form of spiritual entity, or otherwise, either to offer praise, to make a request, or simply to express ones thoughts and emotions. ... Freedom of religion is the individuals right or freedom to hold whatever religious beliefs he or she wishes, or none at all. ...

During the observance of such quiet moments in public schools, Buddhist students could meditate, students adhering to religious beliefs such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism would be allotted time for prayer, and atheist students could reflect on the upcoming day. A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, who lived between approximately 566 and 486 BCE. Originating in India, Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia... Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. ... Islam   listen? (Arabic: al-islām) the submission to God is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions, and the worlds second largest religion. ... Judaism is the religious culture of the Jewish people. ... Atheism is the state either of being without theistic beliefs, or of actively believing in the non-existence of deities. ...

Colin Powell, a long time advocate, has recommended a simple moment of silence at the start of each school day. Further, he states that students could use this interval to pray, meditate, contemplate or study. Colin Luther Powell, (pronounced koh-lihn, born April 5, 1937) was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving from January 20, 2001 to January 26, 2005 under President George W. Bush. ...

Contrary to popular belief, prayer is widely permitted in US public schools, and due to a 1962 U.S. Supreme Court decision, only official organization, sponsorship, or endorsement of prayer is forbidden by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Teachers and school officials may not lead classes in prayer; prayer is permitted at voluntary religious clubs, and students are not forbidden from praying themselves. Other rulings have forbidden public prayer at school assemblies, sporting events, and similar school-sponsored activities. Wikiquote has a collection of quotations by or about: United States Wikinews has news related to this article: United States United States government CIA World Factbook Entry for United States House. ... 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Seal of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the United States of America. ... The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ...

Although since 1976 the state Virginia law permitted school districts to implement 60 seconds of silence at the start of each school day, in 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an Alabama "moment of silence" law was unconstitutional. In April 2000, a new law came into being; requiring all Virginian public school students to observe a moment of silence. 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... 1985 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Seal of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the United States of America. ... State nickname: Camellia State, The Heart of Dixie¹, Yellowhammer State Other U.S. States Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Governor Bob Riley (R) Official languages English Area 84,360 mi²/135,765 km² (30th)  - Land 81,664 mi²/131,426 km²  - Water 2,696 mi²/4,338 km² (3. ... This article is about the year 2000. ...

In October 2000, the U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton ruled that the "moment of silence" law was constitutional. Judge Hilton stated, "The court finds that the Commonwealth's daily observance of one minute of silence act is constitutional. The act was enacted for a secular purpose, does not advance or inhibit religion, nor is there excessive entanglement with religion... Students may think as they wish -- and this thinking can be purely religious in nature or purely secular in nature. All that is required is that they sit silently." This article is about the year 2000. ...

The American Civil Liberties Union has long opposed the observance of this type of moment of silence. The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, is a non-governmental organization devoted to defending civil rights and civil liberties in the United States. ...

See also

• Public prayer
• School prayer
• Civil religion

School prayer is an issue that has been controversial in the United States since the early 20th century. ... The intended meaning of the term civil religion often varies according to whether one is a sociologist of religion or a professional political commentator. ...

External links

• MomentOfSilence