The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) along with Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) opposed the incorporation of prayer at a graduation at Exeter Union High School in California scheduled for June 4, 2010. FFRF sprung into action after it was contacted by a Exeter Union senior who objected to a religious commencement.
On May 27, Rebecca Markert, who is the staff attorney for FFRF, wrote a letter to Superintendent Renee Whitson in which she expressed the objection of many community members to the planned prayer. Also in the letter, she pointed out that she was aware of the fact that initially school officials had agreed to drop the prayer, but that they then decided to let the students vote on the issue. She went on to inform the superintendent that "the Supreme Court has continually struck down prayers at school-sponsored events, including public school graduations."
Markert reminded Whitson that even when the prayer is "student initiated," it is unconstitutional. She warned that the district must take immediate action to ensure that no prayer be included in the ceremony.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president, was not pleased that school officials would put this on students in the first place. She said, "Passing the buck on a legal issue like this was rather cowardly. The adults are supposed to be in charge of schools." She referred to it as "an illegal copout."
On June 1, high school trustees held a vote to eliminate the proposed prayer. The decision passed with a 3-0 vote. It was decided that in lieu of the prayer, the commencement would include a moment of silence.
Comments
To me, this is encouraging to read.
Great article. If folks want to pray, they do not have to force the activity on others, such as graduating seniors.
Hooray!
This is indeed good news! The public school system is no place to promote any religious bias. We've enough controversial issues that have created divisions without continuing to create and promote fantasies to further encourage conflict.
"A moment of silence" is a cop-out, a foot in the door, a stalking horse. Better than out-and-out prayer, but still not good.
Okay you were successful; has ffrf pursued eliminating prayer during Congressional sessions and official/salaried congressional religious officers/leaders?
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