I'm an advocate for the separation of church and state, in that
school itself, or anyone employed by said school and salary paid with public tax dollars, should be prohibited from leading a group prayer or presenting overtly religious symbols.
But a student speaker, in this case a valedictorian, is a private citizen. If she thanks God or mentioned Jesus in her speech, we can determine that it's her own private thoughts, not 'paid for' by public tax dollars and hence not endorsed by the government. In this case, the ruling
should side with her.
Now, I think it's uncouth, and pushes the boundary of respect for the audience, if she attempts to get others involved and lead a group prayer herself.
Quote:For some reason I can't see you all in favor of a student up on stage bowing to Mecca and saying Allah Hu Akbar.
I'd be okay with that, for the reasons I mentioned above. I was born in raised in Dearborn MI, so that's probably already happened at my old high school anyhow.
Quote:The judge declared that the Schultz family and their son would "suffer irreparable harm" if anyone prayed at the ceremony.
If this is true, then the Schultz family are the 'freaks' here. If simply hearing a quick personal prayer causes you "irreparable harm", then you've got some serious bigotry issues to work out with a therapist. But, this is more likely just typical lawyer exaggeration-speak and Victim Card-playing for maximum effect.