Liberty Counsel Will Sue Santa Rosa; Calls School Prayer Battle ‘Nuclear War’

February 21, 2010

Liberty Counsel announced Saturday that it plans to sue the Santa Rosa County School District to allow prayer in the county’s schools. The announcement came a day after a federal judge barred the Christian organization from seeking to overturn a consent decree requiring school officials in Santa Rosa County to stop promoting their personal religious beliefs in public schools.

Liberty Counsel released the following statement Saturday:

Following Judge M. Casey Rodgers’ ruling late Friday evening which denied the request for intervention by Christian Educators Association International (CEAI), Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the Santa Rosa School District. When the ACLU originally filed its suit against the District, Liberty Counsel offered to represent the school at no cost, but the offer was rejected. The new District Superintendent, Tim Wryosdick, and the school board attorney decided to cave in to the ACLU’s demands and enter into a consent decree which Judge Rodgers approved.

Representing CEAI, Liberty Counsel filed a motion to intervene in order to represent the interest of the faculty and staff, which the District and the ACLU clearly violated. Judge Rodgers’ ruling last evening, denying CEAI’s right to intervene, now means that Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the District in order to get this unconstitutional order overturned before an appellate court.

During testimony in December, Michelle Winkler broke down on the witness stand when describing how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray because they feared the consent decree. Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language. School employees are prohibited from “communication with a deity” when in their “official capacity.” They are considered to be in their “official capacity” even when not working – whenever they attend a “school event,” which includes events during the day, including breaks, after-school events on or off campus, and privately sponsored events on campus for students. Employees cannot bow their head or fold their hands and must prohibit others from praying, even in meetings such as Good News Clubs or privately sponsored baccalaureate services. The ACLU has dragged three employees to court already, yet, Judge Rodgers states there is no “chill” on free speech.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “The court’s ruling has elevated this case to nuclear war. Liberty Counsel’s offer to defend the school district was denied by a superintendent who chose instead to sacrifice the rights of his employees. Content with the outrageous order from the ACLU, the superintendent then opposed the request to intervene by the Christian Educators Association International. Now Liberty Counsel will file a direct lawsuit against the school district. I am confident that when an appellate court reviews this outrageous order, it will be overturned and freedom will be vindicated. Anyone familiar with constitutional law cannot believe the breadth of this order. It is blatantly unconstitutional.”

Comments

42 Responses to “Liberty Counsel Will Sue Santa Rosa; Calls School Prayer Battle ‘Nuclear War’”

  1. Parentwithabrain on February 24th, 2010 5:43 pm

    Bill, have you read the actual decree? Rather than isolating words and phrases as the article has done it would do everyone good if they actually would read the decree. http://www.aclu.org/files/pdfs/religion/santarosaco_consentdecree.pdf
    If you read the original decree you will see how ridiculous this entire complaint is.

    The fact of the matter is individuals involved in the original suit and those who subsequently violated the decree did so knowingly and willingly. They should be rewarded for breaking the law.

    Teachers, staff and administrators may not, in the public school system, preach or pray with students. The reason for the original suit was based upon flagrant violations of the law knowingly and willingly.

    The current lawsuit is ridiculous.

  2. bill, big b little ill on February 24th, 2010 9:46 am

    Arguing over who is right or wrong between Christians just don’t make good sense. I do love to talk about God\Jesus.My favorite topic. So lets clear up a few things about praying out loud. No harm in asking the Lord to forgive you or to pray for some else. No harm in asking someone to say the blessing over a meal. The harm in praying out loud is being boastful, or your intention of praying trying to impress others with your prayer. The sincere prayer is always heard by God, if praying out loud was wrong, the disciples nor Jesus would have but they did.

    I still say this is all just an attack on God. Not prayer..Prayer is how we communicate with the Father (God).

    So maybe it would not hurt if you got down on your knees in private and ask God what he would have you say before you say it. Have a Blessed day in the Lord.

  3. bill, big b little ill on February 24th, 2010 6:52 am

    Did any of you read this part of the article.

    School employees are prohibited from “communication with a deity” when in their “official capacity.” They are considered to be in their “official capacity” even when not working – whenever they attend a “school event,” which includes events during the day, including breaks, after-school events on or off campus, and privately sponsored events on campus for students. Employees cannot bow their head or fold their hands and must prohibit others from praying, even in meetings such as Good News Clubs or privately sponsored baccalaureate services. The ACLU has dragged three employees to court already,

    Did you see??????? just bow their heads, fold hands, prohibit others from praying.
    or maybe the part that states …..They are considered to be in their “official capacity” even when not working . even on breaks……said bow their head or fold hands.

    I know you can pray without being noticed and you should. But even just giving the appearance of……pitiful

  4. molinojim on February 23rd, 2010 8:47 pm

    Please remember that the King James Bible was re written at the order of King James. There were early Bibles that did not agree with what he wanted in the Bible so being King he ordered it rewritten. There were others at the time of Jesus who claim to be the Son of God and a number of them were also killed by the Roman government because of the unrest they were causing. I pray and some times talk with God—only I know when I’m doing it. I know some folks feel you have to yell out when you pray—I do not feel that way. May the peace of God help us to accept the short coming of those who travel a different road in life.

  5. Parentwithabrain on February 23rd, 2010 6:33 pm

    Going to a temple to pray is much different than adults leading children in prayer in a public school setting. Let’s not forget this. And I will repeat if a child is being denied their bible to quietly read during free time or being told they may not silently bow their heads to pray before meals then their rights are being violated and this needs to be addressed. I have yet to personally witness any of this.

  6. bill, big b little ill on February 23rd, 2010 12:27 pm

    ACLJ.ORG

  7. Elizabeth on February 23rd, 2010 11:58 am

    “Again, I say to you who feel it is necessary to draw attention to yourselves as you pray…you have your reward.”

    This is quoted from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Christ’s teaching here is not that it is wrong to pray in public. Jesus himself often prayed and taught in public. Verses one and two of Matthew six both clarify the motives of the people: “…to be seen of [men], and “that they may have glory of men.” If it were completely wrong to pray in public what of the Pharisee and the publican who both went to the temple in Luke 18? Both would be seen of men. The motive of the Pharisee was to be seen. He was seen and therefore had his reward. The publican was also seen praying and was counted righteous. It is not Scripturally wrong go pray in front of people…just wanted to clarify that.

    I personally would not want “religion” taught in school. When I attended Santa Rosa county school, not too long ago, it was not expressly taught. At the time I was not a Christian, nor was I reared in a Christian home. But I knew many of the teachers who were. I remember a teacher, Danny Adams, who was a very talented teacher. I had him twice: algebra 1 and 2. I also knew he was a youth pastor. Just as PWAB said, if the teachers are allowed to proselytize, then that liberty must also be granted to the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Satanist, the Wiccan, the Mormon, etc. But if a Muslim wishes to pray openly, as is required by his religion, he is not imposing his religion upon me. When he begins to approach students in the school environment and teach them about Allah, he is encroaching upon them. But the actual act of praying does no one harm.

    We wanted our children raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We wanted them to have a Christian worldview. That is the reason, in part, that we chose homeschooling.

    To Just Wondering: My husband is youth pastor to about 20 teens, most of which attend local schools. Some of them have also been discouraged from similar things as your daughter has.

  8. Thinker on February 23rd, 2010 11:35 am

    Learn about the ACLU: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Liberties_Union

    Who else do we have to fight for INDIVIDUAL rights in the courts! Anyone got an answer to THAT ?

    Our country is suffering from this “age of the special interests”, which include mostly big corporations, but also Christian right fanatics. The country is founded on INDIVIDUAL rights.

    Of course, under our laws, if you are negatively affected as an individual, by a law, you can then go to court to fight it…IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY. Or you can notify the ACLU or others, like the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

    Quote: ~Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. – Seneca the Younger

  9. bill, big b little ill on February 23rd, 2010 7:01 am

    Just wondering….The only thing stopping your daughter is her age and fear. If they tell her to stop breathing …….will she? You absolutly can not be stopped. Even if you are bound and gaged, handcuffed, taped from head to toe, etc. You still can pray…now can’t you! God Bless those who are persecuted for his name sake.
    Matthew 5:10-11

  10. Parentwithabrain on February 23rd, 2010 6:06 am

    Bill, as I stated before you have not angered me or hurt my feelings. My only problem is a ridiculous money wasting lawsuit because a very small group of people are purposely misconstruing what the decree states and creating unnecessary drama.

    And just wondering, your daughter should not be prevented from bringing her bible to school. Most of the school libraries have them on the shelves as well. I know the school where I work does. Nor should she be prevented from reading her bible to herself or praying to herself over her food. If she is being prevented from praying or reading her bible to herself, well then I suggest you contact the school and ask why. And if the answer is unsatisfactory contact the ACLU because your daughter’s rights are being violated.

    However, if she is wishing to read out loud or pray out loud that is something else entirely and is considered disruptive. God does not need us to pray out loud in order to hear our prayers. Again, I say to you who feel it is necessary to draw attention to yourselves as you pray…you have your reward.

  11. Just wondering on February 22nd, 2010 11:03 pm

    If no one can stop you from praying in school, please tell me why my daughter was told that she could not bring her Bible to school nor could she say a blessing before her meal because they are both considered “disruptive”?

  12. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 8:51 pm

    Person with a brain. I apologize if I have hurt your feelings in any way. I have understood every single thing you have said about praying in school and what is going on in Santa Rosa co. I don’t understand why you said some of the things you have said about Christians. See when you act like your the only person who has a brain, that the rest of us Christians aren’t capable of thinking. Well those Christians out there are my family, some of the finest people I know. No we are not perfect but most of us are loving, caring , giving, praying people who want no one to suffer, or go to the hot house. It’s not a 9 to 5 job that after the day is over you can step out of the lake of fire and cool off. We Christians are not chopping off heads if you don’t want Jesus. So I just don’t want to see laws being make that puts people in jail, just because it upsets some when they pray. But if I have to Pray from Jail so be it.

    I love you in the Lord Jesus, have a blessed day.
    :)

  13. Parentwithabrain on February 22nd, 2010 7:57 pm

    You did not anger me at all. The fact of the matter is Santa Rosa County was in violation and they admitted it. I know they were and have known it for years. I have even stated more than once it was just a matter of time before someone complained. Yet people wish to hold those who broke the rules up as if they were something great. They are not! They broke the law and have defended their right to do so and wish to continue to do so. The sad thing is it took a court ruling to get “leaders” in our educational community to step up and do the right thing. The things that caused the initial suit should never have been happening in the first place. Yet rather than saying “shame” to those who did the wrong thing we are giving them pats on the back and awards. What sort of message does that send out?

    Nobody is prevented from praying at school. However the law states a teacher, staff member or administrator shall not lead children in prayer within the public school setting. Very simple. Yet, for some, they revel in breaking these rules. Yet I will state again if this were a case of a nonChristian teacher, staff member or administrator preaching they would have lost their jobs at the minimum. Certainly they would not be given awards for breaking the rules.

    This lawsuit is ridiculous. It is a small group of people who wish to stir the pot. Somehow they seem to think they are “better” Christians because of it. And then there is you, who says in one breath you do not wish to teachers to preach to your children. Yet in the next you claim religious freedom is being chipped away by the ACLU. Failing to comprehend that the ACLU is protecting not just the rights of nonChristians from having their children preached to while in a public school setting, but protecting the rights of Christians from having their children preached to by nonChristians while in the public school system.

    So, if those who are in favor of this suit wish to have prayer in school, so be it. But be prepared for your child to quiet possibly come home reciting a prayer from a religion other than your own. If that makes you upset, well then I suggest you withdraw support for this wasteful suit.

  14. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 7:21 pm

    While I feel that it’s a valid question to ask anyone to whom do they call God. My question was not intended to anger you, just to clarify why you are so critical of Christians. Your point ARE very clear on what a teacher may chose to teach ones child. I agree, I don’t want religion taught at all. I do however want the Gospel of Jesus, The Christ, and The only begotten son of God to be free and available to anyone who wants, trust in, and places their faith in, to have without the ACLU or any group getting in the way. No I don’t want to force Jesus on anyone. I will defend your right to go to hell if you choose. I hope and pray not.

    Just as you point out that you can’t trust what a teacher may teach about God, you can’t trust the agenda of the ACLU. …A smiling face is not always the face of a friend, it could be your enemy just as well.

    It’s not one of the 10 commandments, but you are to pray to God, lets not chip away bits and peaces of what God expects of his people for the ACLU.or anyone else. God want us in ALL points of our life.

  15. Parentwithabrain on February 22nd, 2010 6:25 pm

    There is but one God so why do you ask to whom I pray? And yet while you ask such questions you ignore the others. Why I have to wonder? Is it because your agenda would be clear if you answered? Why is it some believe they have the right to teach the children of others about God? Yet those who would so teach would deny the follower of another religion the same opportunity. Again, so many forget what a can of worms they truly are opening. If you may preach to my children, certainly I may preach to yours. And then what happens if you dislike what I preach? Would it not be better for religion to be taught by the parents in the home while at school children are taught things like reading, writing, mathematics, history and science?

    The agenda here is obvious. It is not about people being free to pray, it is about Christians being free to preach their brand of religion. And what happens when the Christians differ? When the Mormons begin to teach the Baptist child about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon what then will happen? Or when the Catholic teaches the Church of Christ child the Pope is God’s chosen representative on earth?

    Yes, the agenda is obvious. And might I suggest if you wish to live in a country ruled by the bible rather than the United States Constitution you move to one. Our founding fathers must look down in total disgust at the mockery being made of their efforts by those who purport to be Christians.

  16. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 5:49 pm

    Galatians 6:7

    Be very careful what you say about God and his Word.

  17. Bully on February 22nd, 2010 4:53 pm

    A nuclear war? Yes, yet without radioactive bombs, bullets, guns, tanks, drones or grenades, but with what the world counts as foolishness, the Word of God.

  18. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 3:35 pm

    JW…….Hallelujah Amen!

  19. JW on February 22nd, 2010 3:22 pm

    Thinker and PWAB, what “do” you believe in? Atheism? Christians are to spread the gospel and witness to non believers about the mercy and grace of God. There is only one God, no Allah, no Buddah, etc. There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. I’m tired of people using the U.S. Constitution as a crutch, we need to be using the Bible. KJV, and if you don’t understand the thee’s and thou’s use the NIV. Just read it. Start in Matthew and read until the end of Revelations. One day my friend we will see who is right when we are all standing at the seat of judgement. I “think” I will error on the side of Christ Jesus. I would never want him to say “I never knew you”.

  20. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 1:37 pm

    Thinkers, thinker done gone kuthunk.

  21. Thinker on February 22nd, 2010 11:10 am

    Parentwithabrain, thank you for speaking out. NOBODY can stop a person, student or teacher from praying in schools, I agree 100%. They all have free time to do that and certainly their God can hear their silent prayers also.

    Teachers have a responsibility NOT to proselytize by classroom instruction, curriculum, inference, modeling behavior, etc. If they are incapable of asserting that kind of discipline on themselves, they’re in the wrong profession. Any profession demands restrictions on your behavior.

    Why is it so hard to understand that fighting for open prayer (with an audience) in schools is a POWER GRAB. It’s VERY anti-religion and anti-Christian. When Christians get that power, there goes the country that was founded on freedom of (and from) religion by people fleeing from nationalized religion in Europe.

    Listen to the demeanor of all those posts FOR prayer in school. Do you hear the unspoken message this Christian movement is sending? Just like in Nazi Germany: “You’re either for us, or against us”. There is no compromise and respect for individual differences.

  22. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 7:52 am

    TO PWAB..please tell me to what god you pray. I pray to Jehovah God, not to confuse me with Jehovah witness. You say that you pray daily, but you’re very critical of Christians. You say we are not to pray out loud while Danial prayed three times daily defy the king. Now I believe that we are to obey the laws of out Government until that trample all over Gods law. If you pray to Jehovah God as Christians do, then why would you think it is OK to prevent anyone from praying at school, work, or anywhere else on earth.
    Where opinions count, Gods word is not his opinion, it’s the Gospel Truth.

  23. bill, big b little ill on February 22nd, 2010 5:52 am

    It’s true that the ACLU has take up for christian in the past, and you can continue to wright a book with empty words and never tell the whole truth. If you do your research you will find that they have fought against the Christians and promote Islam over Christianity. Sounds like a double standard to me. It also says they will take up any cause for the money. To God be the Glory. I said it without going over the 300 word limit. :)

  24. David Huie Green on February 22nd, 2010 1:07 am

    REGARDING:
    “the book “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States. Read it, you may understand that our country was form by Christian values. The Framers of the Federal Constitution had before them the formation of the Presbyterian Church an it’s ecclesiastical stucture, ie they form congress House, Senate etc. with their image in mind. In addition, read Washingtons Vision,”

    Or you COULD read what folks actually said during the Constitutional Convention and not what the folks made up after the fact. They realized people are untrustworthy and needed to be pitted against each other by breaking up government in three parts and the legislative branch into two smaller parts.

    If the Presbyterian Church is in any way similar to Congress, I am once again glad I am a Baptist. I am certain the federal government was not formed as an image of the Presbyterian Church.

    nor would I trust anyone who told me Washington has a vision which included the Revolutionary War which had already taken place and the War of Northern Agression and just one more war while ignoring all the other minor details like spanish american war, world war one, world war two, korean conflict, vietnam war, a couple of persian gulf wars, the cold war, …… While having such supposed visions, it would be nice to include “Stay ouf of the weather while visiting your slaves for sexual immorality/rape and don’t let them bleed the life out of you.”

    You say his supposed vision dealt with Communism and Communism is dead.

    If it dealt with loss of religious liberty, then the time isn’t now because more people have religious liberty than ever before, not just Presbyterians.

    Me just don’t believe it.

    David the doubter

  25. Parentwithabrain on February 21st, 2010 8:56 pm

    And the beat goes on. The point proved over and over that it is a Christian perspective that is only important. The insistence God can be removed by any group or government. Many of you seem to forget the ACLU has represented Christians in the past whose rights were violated and will do so in the future. So sad how propaganda is so readily believed when simple research will prove it wrong.

    A poster stated earlier no teacher’s rights had been violated by the decree and they are correct. Some people enjoy drama and will create it where none exists. Rather than live our faith some believe we need to shove it down the throats of others.

    Teachers have a difficult enough job without having to teach religion. Goodness knows I pray each and every day while in the public school system. Seeing children who don’t have enough to eat or proper clothing/shoes. Children whose parents are unemployed, uneducated and some who are incarcerated. Children who need to be educated to hopefully pull themselves up and out of this cycle.

    Yes, I pray everyday for those children and yet I am not in fear of my job. Perhaps it is because I recognize I can pray and life my faith without the need to foist it upon others. And the hypocrites who state they want me to pray with their children really do not. Because my prayers are not Christian prayers. These hypocrites wish to believe only their prayers are important. And if I did pray with their children, I can pretty much guarantee I would be jobless tomorrow.

    Santa Rosa County has excellent schools and educators. Yet this small group wants to spend money on something so unnecessary. All because they wish to force their beliefs upon others. They wish to teach my children their faith while they would silence me if I tried to teach theirs my own.

    Which prayer do they want? The one to Allah? The one in Hebrew? A Catholic prayer or how about a Mormon one? May the Pagan lead the children in prayer? Will the Muslim be asked to give the invocation or a Wiccan? Which prayer is it we are to say?

    This is a nation built upon religious freedom. It is one who protects the minority from the majority who would silence them. You do not wish for me to pray with your child. Why should I wish you to pray with mine?

  26. Susan on February 21st, 2010 6:19 pm

    Am reading the book “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States. Read it, you may understand that our country was form by Christian values. The Framers of the Federal Constitution had before them the formation of the Presbyterian Church an it’s ecclesiastical stucture, ie they form congress House, Senate etc. with their image in mind. In addition, read Washingtons Vision, you’ll find he was told there would be three major battles, the Revelutionary War, then The Civil War, and the Third War would be the most terrifing, the US would be surrounde by the world and within there would be men with eyes of Red. What better way to destroy our country but by first destroying our religious liberties. That’s always Communist’s first step.

  27. bill, big b little ill on February 21st, 2010 4:24 pm

    Hey now…don’t stop reading that bible..it also says don’t call people fools.

    Why is that a simple discussion where everyone has an pinion has to get ugly by calling names. The ACLU may want to take your opinion next. The simple truth is that the ACLU and a Judge have taken your right to pray at school…Will they say next it is illegall to pray at home, maybe church..see this in nothing more than an attack on God and his followers. You know all us nut cases that believe love is stronger that hatred. That being kind and loving to or fellow man is important. Man we sound so bad.

  28. bob johnson on February 21st, 2010 4:05 pm

    Before the Liberty Counsel can sue the Santa Rosa County School District the school district must violate somebody’s civil rights. No teacher has been disciplined for prayer in school as of yet so there can be no law suite. The teacher “hiding in her room” was not a violation of the consent decree nor was it a violation of her constitutional rights.

  29. Parentwithabrain on February 21st, 2010 3:32 pm

    Yet again the point goes over the heads of some. Those of you who wish to pray in public, well the bible says you have your reward. Nobody can deny another the opportunity to pray. Anyone who believes they must have an audience (captive school children in this case) to pray is sadly mistaken. Anyone who believes the ACLU can take prayer out of anything is quite the fool.

  30. FYI on February 21st, 2010 1:43 pm

    I can pray anywhere and nobody will ever know if I don’t want them to. It’s between me and God. He is with me. Nobody can take this away from me because you won’t even know when I’m talking to Him.

  31. bill, big b little ill on February 21st, 2010 1:35 pm

    OK, people…no I don’t want some teacher…that I no nothing about, teaching my child about what they call god. It’s is the responsibility of the father in each family to teach them about God. If the father won’t then the mother should. The ACLU, along with different groups or individuals want to eliminate prayer altogether. It hurts no one when someone ask the Lord to bless their food, ask him to watch over and protect, heal someone, just plain being thankful for what you have. If you don’t believe in God, no one is forcing you to…no not even God…He lets you chose where you go to in the hereafter. To prove my point that it hurts no one, just before I posted the comment I ask in Jesus name to bless each and everyone who reads this, to bless them with joy, peace, good health, and most of all to open your eyes and ears to be receptive of his presents…Now how many of you experienced pain or mental anguish over my prayer before or after you read this? To those who don’t think God granted my prayer request, I only ask him to, I don’t tell God what to do, I just ask.

  32. molinojim on February 21st, 2010 1:02 pm

    for Parentwithabrain. As I recall “Mother” wishes peace and kindness—even for those that do not know her. I am not a follower but still know a little about the belief. Please do not be rough on the non followers.

  33. Parentwithabrain on February 21st, 2010 12:36 pm

    It is sad to see the number of people who cannot read and comprehend! Nobody is stating a teacher, staff member, or administrator must leave their faith at home. What they may not do is preach to our children. But, hey, if that’s something you guys want great! I’ll be happy to teach your children about the Goddess! What those of you seem to be incapable of grasping is if YOU can preach to MY children in the public school system I can preach to YOURS in the public school system! So, go ahead with this ridiculous, money wasting suit. If they succeed I’ll happily teach your child a prayer to the Mother!

  34. B on February 21st, 2010 12:03 pm

    One of the biggest problems with the CEAI is that they say they represent the employees of the SRCSD. That is not the case. They represent an extremely small group of employees who are members of their organization. Since this is the case, they need to state that on record. They are not doing this on my behalf. I can stand up for myself and have done so frequently. There are good teachers who may lose their jobs because funds may have to be diverted to this lawsuit. Santa Rosa School District is already looked upon unfavorably by so many because of this mess. I do agree with ckn that we have to stand up for our rights or we will lose them and I don’t want to be told that prayer is illegal. But I believe and God knows that. He knows what is in my heart. Before anyone bashes me, remember not to judge….that is part of the problem. We presume to not want any part of other religions and practices, yet we insist that our prayers be heard at all times.
    If we are truly interested in what is best for our students, we will make a decision to that effect. Will we teach or will we preach? I choose to teach because I have made a difference and will pray silently for strength to continue.

  35. BarrineauParkDad on February 21st, 2010 9:46 am

    The ruling does not prohibit prayer in school. If anyone wants to pray in school, they just drop their head and pray. It does however prohibit any school official or employee from promoting their personal beliefs. All this is going to accomplish is further depletion of already limited funding that could be used to teach actual academic subjects that will increase ones opportunities to get a job and not be a drain on society.

    “When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, ’tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.”

    — Benjamin Franklin, Works, Vol. XIII, p. 506

  36. harley1 on February 21st, 2010 9:21 am

    Lets establish one fundamental truth as to how our nations schools got into such a quagmire over prayer and other related issues. Years ago when school districts across America began clamoring for ferderal dollars from Washington, at that point they all became prostitutes, prostituting themselves for government funds, never once stopping to think that the john always dictates to the prostitute as to what “acts” he would like. Any questions???

  37. aggravated on February 21st, 2010 8:29 am

    One more thing….
    I don’t care for the ACLU at all. But the fact of the matter is, this has happened and I say either work with it or get out!!!!! Schools are not a place to fight your religious battles! Fighting this battle will cost more than anyone realizes…

  38. aggravated on February 21st, 2010 8:24 am

    I just wanted to state that CEAI does not represent me! If the few people who are a member of this organization want representation, then go for it and leave the rest of us alone! Each employee in the district was well informed as to what the decree entailed. If you are at a school sponsored function in an official capacity, no you cannot pray, for example a coach at a football gameor or a club sponsor. If you are there as a private citizen, go for it. It’s really simple if you think about it…don’t pray if students are present. Why is there so much confusion about what an employee can and cannot do? Just read the Q&A that was provided and you will understand. How much more money are people going to drain from the SCRCSD in order to “prove” they are christians? If they really practice what they preach, then they will lknow this is not what the bible says for them to do. I think there is too much “proving” going on and not enough education! Maybe the educators that are so worried about when they can pray should refocus their energy and become missionaries, which would be a good field for them since they like to preach! Leave the rest of us alone!!!!!!!!!!!

  39. xpeecee on February 21st, 2010 7:18 am

    The ACLU must be stopped! Their agenda is to destroy this country,s freedom. Those who wrote our constitution would have run them out on a rail…

  40. molinojim on February 21st, 2010 7:05 am

    Talk about a rock and a hard place. The SR school system members just about have to do what the federal judge says to do or be fined and /or jailed. Another group wants prayer in school so they are going to sue the school system. Not only will it waste money that the school system does not have but in all likely hood it will be a loosing cause. I feel that you can pray and not make another person pray at the same time. The two teacher proved that by excusing them selves and going into a place that was private. I pray in private and some times if it is a group that all believe as I do I have led a prayer. I do not feel it is right to force another person to accept my religion or views. My religion is between my God and my self.

  41. ckn on February 21st, 2010 6:57 am

    Thank you God for Liberty Counsel and the stand they take. It is not a matter of choice if you are a Christian God lives in you and it shows in your speech and actions, so how can they expect teachers to leave that at home? I believe God is giving us an opportunity to stand up for Him so we need to support these efforts anyway we can. If we don’t before long criminals, aliens, moslems stc. will be the only people with any rights and the God given rights this country was founded on will be lost to us !

  42. A Watchman on February 21st, 2010 6:08 am

    Meanwhile, District Superintendent, Tim Wryosdick should be recalled.