Virginia (again)- Bad news and good news

[Pah]

Prayer eyed in Virginia schools
Complete article

By Christina Bellantoni
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The bad news:

RICHMOND — Lawmakers want to amend the state constitution to open schools and other public places to prayer and other religious activities.
Delegate Charles W. Carrico Sr. said the amendment is needed because there is a growing effort to silence Christians.
"I'm tired of hearing when you walk into a school you cannot profess your beliefs because you may offend someone else," the Grayson Republican said.
Mr. Carrico, a retired state trooper, said he tried to use the Old Testament story of David and Goliath to inspire a group of students bound for the high school prom to avoid sex, drugs and alcohol. A parent filed a complaint against him, he said.

The amendment passed the House last week on a 69-27 vote. If it passes the Senate, it would go to voters in 2006.

The amendment would allow prayer and other professions of "religious beliefs, heritage and traditions" on public property, including schools.

The good news

The amendment was up for consideration yesterday in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, but senators referred it to the Courts of Justice Committee at the request of Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, the Virginia Beach Republican who is chairman of that committee

Backers of the amendment said they're hopeful, but critics predict it will be difficult to get the amendment out of a Senate committee that historically has been unwilling to tinker with the state's Bill of Rights. With no companion bill in the Senate, a defeat before Mr. Stolle's committee early next week would kill the measure.

Mr. Smith said he believes the amendment will be found unconstitutional in that committee, since "some of the Senate's best legal minds" are members.

 

[retrorich]

I am certainly glad I don't live in Virginia, because if I did, I would surely need to move. Of course, my state, Ohio, is no prize either. We (but definitely not me) reelected George W. Bush.

 

[Green Gaia]

RICHMOND — Lawmakers want to amend the state constitution to open schools and other public places to prayer and other religious activities.

Ya know, I wouldn't mind this so much if I knew that more than just Christian activities would be allowed. If there was a real effort to give all religions equal time, with pushing any religion on the kids, I think I would be OK with that.

*Hoping there's a UU funded elementary and pre-school in VA*

 

[retrorich]

Ya know, I wouldn't mind this so much if I knew that more than just Christian activities would be allowed. If there was a real effort to give all religions equal time, with pushing any religion on the kids, I think I would be OK with that.

I might be willing to go along with that, as long as agnostic and atheistic views were also presented. And attendance should be voluntary.

 

[Performance Park]

Well, I am sure attendance would be voluntary. I doubt we will see kids being pushed in to any specific religion anytime in the 5-10 at least...