Log in

View Full Version : Judge Blocks Prayer at High School Graduation


Spartan359
05-21-2006, 10:29
Who here thinks the Judge was correct in his standing?


RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (AP) - The senior class at a southern Kentucky high school gave their response Friday night to a federal judge's order banning prayer at commencement.

About 200 seniors stood during the principal's opening remarks and began reciting the Lord's Prayer, prompting a standing ovation from a standing-room only crowd at the Russell County High School gymnasium.

The thunderous applause drowned out the last part of the prayer.

The revival like atmosphere continued when senior Megan Chapman said in her opening remarks that God had guided her since childhood. Chapman was interrupted repeatedly by the cheering crowd as she urged her classmates to trust in God as they go through life.

The challenge made the graduation even better because it unified the senior class, Chapman said.

"It made the whole senior class come together as one and I think that's the best way to go out," said Chapman, who plans to attend the University of the Cumberlands with her twin sister Megan.

The graduation took place about 12 hours after a federal judge blocked the inclusion of prayer as part of Russell County High School's graduation ceremonies.

U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley granted a temporary restraining order sought by a student who didn't want prayer to be part of the graduation exercises at the south-central Kentucky school, about 110 miles southeast of Louisville.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky filed suit on behalf of the unidentified student on Tuesday.

ACLU attorney Lili Lutgens said she was pleased with the judge's order and "very proud of my client for standing up for the Constitution." Lutgens said prayer would be unconstitutional because it would endorse a specific religion and religious views.

"He did not feel that he should have to sit through government-sponsored prayer just to receive his diploma," Lutgens said of the student.

The student, through his attorney, had previously appealed to Russell County High principal Darren Gossage to cancel the prayer, a request Lutgens said the principal denied.

Keith Ellis, an assistant principal at Russell County High School, said the school has a long tradition of prayer at graduation, something that will change with the judge's ruling.

"It will definitely change what we've done in the past," Ellis said.

Russell County School Superintendent Scott Pierce called himself a "person of faith" and said he was pleased with the response to the ruling by the senior class.

"This was a good learning process for them as far as how to handle things that come along in life," Pierce said. The response of the students showed an ability to be "critical thinkers."

"They exhibited what we've tried to accomplish in 12 years of education - they have the ability to make these compelling decisions on their own," Pierce said.

Chapman said the ceremony turned out better than it would have without the controversy.

"More glory went to God because of something like that than if I had just simply said a prayer like I was supposed to," Chapman said.

Before the graduation ceremony, some students said they weren't upset with the classmate that brought the legal challenge, just disappointed that there wouldn't be a sanctioned prayer during the ceremony.

"There's no hard feelings toward him whatsoever. That was his opinion and it was something that he felt," graduating senior Mandy Chapman said.

Gabe McNeil said during a rehearsal on Thursday, other students booed the student suspected of filing the challenge when he walked across the stage.

"They've been giving him crap," McNeil said.

A sign across the street from the high school at a garden center declared "We believe in prayer" in response to the judge's ruling.

"In our little town, we've always had that prayer at commencement," said Brenda Hadley, owner of Anna's Garden. "Why not? That's part of our everyday life."

Garden center employee Angela Dick put up the sign. Dick said student prayer has always been a way of life at commencements in the rural county that bumps up against Lake Cumberland, a popular recreation area.

"I'm disappointed in a judge who won't hold up the Christian values that our country was founded on," said Dick, who was wearing a gold cross on a chain around her neck.

The Reaper
05-21-2006, 11:09
Where do these people come from? I have sat through many ceremonies where a portion was irrelevant or not of interest to me. I never felt that I needed to request that they be deleted or get an injunction over it.

The ACLU is, IMHO, bent on the total destruction of this country and the values that started it.

Incredible response by the other students.

TR

Bravo1-3
05-21-2006, 12:44
Incredible response by the other students.

I agree. I remember reading a similar article a few years ago where the valedictorian closed out his speech by leading the students in a hymn which a judge had barred them from singing. After the ceremony, the petitioner in that case told reporters "They ruined it! They ruined graduation for me! Boo-hoo hoo" or something to that effect (and that paraphrased quote really isn't that far off from verbatim). I got a great laugh over the irony of her statement.

lrd
05-21-2006, 13:12
When my daughter graduated highschool in Washington state, the seniors planned and held their own baccalaureate service. Participation and attendance were voluntary, of course, but most of the seniors attended. The school provided the space, but the service was by the seniors for the seniors and their families and friends. It was the best baccalaureate I've attended.

Warrior-Mentor
05-21-2006, 13:25
In God we Trust. No issues with a short non-denominational prayer. They should be happy that the faithful pilgrims (see dictionary definition) were willing to risk their lives and the lives of their families arduously crossing the ocean in a ship with sails.

Anyone else remember the photos of the U.S. Supreme Court that was floating around a while back during the controversy over the ten commandments on display?

Quit forcing your lack of faith on us. We don't ask you to join the faith, just respect the fact that faith in God was a significant part of what it took to found and build this country. If it means you have to bite your lip, so be it. You are welcome to leave and go to any Godless county you like.

The Reaper
05-21-2006, 13:50
When you select your destination, don't forget to think Muslim countries.

They really know how to take care of atheists.

TR

Gypsy
05-21-2006, 16:34
Ridiculous.

I can't remember where I read this, but at one school graduation prayer was banned. At, or toward, the end of the ceremony it was prearranged that someone would sneeze...and there was a collective "God Bless You" voiced by the class.

jasonglh
05-21-2006, 20:15
I graduated back in 89 not more than a few hours of that school. We had a baccalaureate the night before graduation that was voluntary. It was pretty much like going to a Christian church service but it was voluntary. The school provided the gym but that was it. I remember some people not being there for it but not sure why they were not. It wasnt a big deal to me because I went to Catholic school from 5-8th grade.

Graduation was put on by the school and to me was a much bigger thing. To be honest I am not sure if there was a prayer said or not but I am sure there probably was one said by a "guest speaker". I always thought that was how they got away with a prayer at school events.

I know Bowling Green has a new mosque due to the immigration of several thousand Bosnians moving here. I dont know how they chose Bowling Green but they are here and last I read I think there were 3000+ and growing at the mosque. If that number keeps rising does that mean they would want their own prayer said at graduation as well?

Or maybe my mind is just turning to mush from being sent to the cultural sensitivity class over and over again.

jasonglh
05-26-2006, 00:22
Prayer out at Shelby graduation
Principal yields to Muslim's plea

By Peter Smith
psmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Shelby County High School will not schedule any formal prayers at its June 2 high school graduation because a student complained that such prayers violate the constitutional ban on state-sponsored religion.

While students traditionally have given invocations and benedictions at graduation ceremonies, none will be scheduled this year, Shelby High School principal Gary Kidwell said yesterday.

He said the school had received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky on behalf of a student demanding the school not have the prayer.

The school "will be compliant with the law and also provide a respectful and dignified program for all students," he said a day after meeting in closed session with the Board of Education and a lawyer -- while residents held a prayer vigil outside.

Kidwell added that traditional prayers at a school banquet and an awards ceremony also will not be held.

Arshiya Saiyed, who is Muslim, identified herself yesterday as the student who filed the ACLU complaint. She said other students share her view, a contention echoed by Kidwell.

Rest Here (http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060524/NEWS01/605240434/1008/rss01)