Good luck with that lawsuit.

[Woberts]

West Monroe High School Seniors asked opinion on prayer at graduation
What's your opinion on this? Even better, look at the comments from Facebook.
KNOE 8 News
Please, discuss.

 

[4consideration]

Politically speaking, I don't think anyone should be forced to participate, but if the majority of the kids in a school want it, I don't think it should be prohibited.

Personally, I would prefer that it be left out, but it would depend on what is being expressed, as to whether or not I thought the prayer was ok, or crossed the line.

A prayer that was generally inclusive, like an expression of gratitude for the teachers and for education and/or an expression of the desire for students to be guided to have good lives as they go forward it life, would be ok with me.

A prayer that was asking for something on behalf of students that I thought was inappropriate, like: "may each of these students be born again in Christ" would cross the line for me, since I think that would be more about a particular belief system than about graduating from high school.

 

[sun rise]

A prayer that was asking for something on behalf of students that I thought was inappropriate, like: "may each of these students be born again in Christ"

Or even worse "born again in Christ lest they suffer in hell for all eternity".

Mostly I think people have gotten a bit to prickly on both sides of this.

 

[suncowiam]

Graduations are already long enough. Just get the students in their pictures and get out.

 

[Revoltingest]

Graduations are already long enough. Just get the students in their pictures and get out.

Certainly there's enuf time for one to hail Satan.

 

[icehorse]

No prayers in school - full stop.

(my post came in just after @Revoltingest )

I like his answer much better! The school should allow time for the Satanists, and Druids, the Buddhists, and everyone else to recite their respective prayers as well!

 

[metis]

It's a violation of the Constitution even though the students may vote it in.

 

[Jesster]

Students should be able to pray all they want on their own time. Don't dump it on people like this though.

 

[Skwim]

It's a violation of the Constitution even though the students may vote it in.

I have to agree.

If I remember correctly, student led or not, if prayer takes place in a public school supervised context it's illegal.

.

 

[metis]

I have to agree.

If I remember correctly, student led or not, if prayer takes place in a public school supervised context it's illegal.

.

It could be allowed if it were all inclusive, which would also open it up for agnostics and atheists to say what they feel. IOW, either it must be all inclusive or all exclusive.

 

[Skwim]

It could be allowed if it were all inclusive, which would also open it up for agnostics and atheists to say what they feel. IOW, either it must be all inclusive or all exclusive.

If by saying "all inclusive" you mean all the students agree to it, I don't believe it makes any difference because the parents, some of whom may not appreciate the prayer, would still be subjected to it. If I recall correctly, it was once brought out that even in a class where all the students were in agreement about having a prayer, it could not be led by a teacher, and could not take place during class time even if led by a student. As I remember it, prayer in school can only be held outside of class and by a student.

.

 

[pearl]

A prayer that was generally inclusive, like an expression of gratitude for the teachers and for education and/or an

They may express gratitude for the teachers directly to the teachers. As for

expression of the desire for students to be guided to have good lives as they go forward it life

Why not a few moments of silence for them to pray, I'm sure God will hear in the silence.

 

[metis]

If by saying "all inclusive" you mean all the students agree to it, I don't believe it makes any difference because the parents, some of whom may not appreciate the prayer, would still be subjected to it. If I recall correctly, it was once brought out that even in a class where all the students were in agreement about having a prayer, it could not be led by a teacher, and could not take place during class time even if led by a student. As I remember it, prayer in school can only be held outside of class and by a student.

.

Correct as even if every single student and parent agreed it still could be taken to court and they'd probably lose. Students can legally pray together before school, after school, or privately by themselves during the school day. A staff member cannot be involved if it's on school property, but (s)he and some students could meet privately at a different location.

The attempts by the religious right are to try and push their religious agenda onto others, so their charge that this is discrimination against Christianity and/or religion is quite bogus, much like the so ballyhooed "war on Christmas"..

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Obviously someone feels excluded, or it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[4consideration]

They may express gratitude for the teachers directly to the teachers. As for


Why not a few moments of silence for them to pray, I'm sure God will hear in the silence.

Sure. That's ok. A moment of silence is good if it fulfills people's desire to include their beliefs in the event.

I stated my preference -- which was to leave it out, altogether.

But...what my preference is, and what I think should be done on a political/legal level are different. I'm cautious about prohibiting and mandating things.

 

[Skwim]

FYI

Can Public School Graduations Include Prayers?


No. The Supreme Court has continually struck down school-led prayers at school-sponsored events, including public school graduations. High school graduations must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students.

Likewise, even student-initiated prayer violates the Establishment Clause. It is unconstitutional for school officials to invite a teacher, faculty member, member of the clergy, or student to deliver any sort of prayer, invocation, or benediction at public school-sponsored events, including graduations. See Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290 (2000).

High school graduations are seminal events in a student's life. Attendance at graduation has been classified as highly coercive or practically mandatory in numerous court decisions. The purpose of a public school graduation is to celebrate the achievements of a student body – not to worship. The deliverance of prayers "alter dramatically the tenor of the ceremony, shifting its focus … away from the students and the secular purpose of the graduation ceremony to the religious content of the speaker's prayers." Doe v. Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist., 168 F.3d 806, 816 (5th Cir. Tex. 1999).
source

.​

 

[M83]

FYI

Can Public School Graduations Include Prayers?


No. The Supreme Court has continually struck down school-led prayers at school-sponsored events, including public school graduations. High school graduations must be secular to protect the freedom of conscience of all students.

Likewise, even student-initiated prayer violates the Establishment Clause. It is unconstitutional for school officials to invite a teacher, faculty member, member of the clergy, or student to deliver any sort of prayer, invocation, or benediction at public school-sponsored events, including graduations. See Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290 (2000).

High school graduations are seminal events in a student's life. Attendance at graduation has been classified as highly coercive or practically mandatory in numerous court decisions. The purpose of a public school graduation is to celebrate the achievements of a student body – not to worship. The deliverance of prayers "alter dramatically the tenor of the ceremony, shifting its focus … away from the students and the secular purpose of the graduation ceremony to the religious content of the speaker's prayers." Doe v. Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist., 168 F.3d 806, 816 (5th Cir. Tex. 1999).
source

.​

Although schools have been known to ignore this judgement by the Court. My local school which has about 300 kids still has a prayer session during graduation.

 

[Skwim]

Although schools have been known to ignore this judgement by the Court. My local school which has about 300 kids still has a prayer session during graduation.

THEY ARE B - U - S - T - E - D ! Turn in your books and report to that scofflaw school board of yours and tell them heads are going to roll!

.

 

[M83]

THEY ARE B - U - S - T - E - D ! Turn in your books and report to that scofflaw school board of yours and tell them heads are going to roll!

.

They had a discussion about that a few years ago. As long as the majority of the students are fine with it, they will continue doing so. One of the bad parts about living outside of a larger metropolitan area.

 

[tytlyf]

There are xtian schools these kids are more than welcome to attend. Keep religion out of secular American institutions. Or get sued and lose.

I'd imagine FFRF is already on this case.