ACLU Sues Over Prayer at School-Related Events in Louisiana

Shreveport, LA, Times ^ | 10-16-03 | Staff

[Theodore R.]

The Tangipahoa Parish school system is being sued for the third time in nine years because it allegedly violated constitutional restrictions on government-backed religious activities.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court earlier this week by the American Civil Liberties Union, alleges that the school system broke the law by endorsing public prayer at Loranger High School football games, at school functions and at School Board meetings.

[Sunshine Sister]

Has it ever occurred to these morons that maybe some folks want to pray?

[concerned about politics]

"dishonors the Constitution and the rule of law, while infringing on parents' right to choose the religious tradition in which to raise their children.

What laws? Liberal choice laws? Facist left wing anti-Christ laws?
Freedom of Religious expression is endorsed by the Constitution. Freedom from Religion is not in the Constitution.
This facist group is denying Christians their Constitutional rights.
The dictorial left wing activist judges should to be impeached for abuse of power, and real Constitutional judges put in their place.

[Skooz]

Tough. Let them sue. We'll keep praying.

[mbynack]

I'm confused. The first amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This prohibits the Federal Government from establishing or prohibiting a religion.

I can find nothing that provides the federal government with a mandate that would involve them in the operation of local schools (unless you stretch the concept of "the general welfare" of the people).

The constitution limits the power of the federal government; it doesn't apply to state or local governments who are technically responsible for the operations of the schools.

I really don't see how this is a constitutional issue.

[Skooz]

I really don't see how this is a constitutional issue.

Exactly. Praying at a school football game is NOT an establishment of religion by Congress.

[concerned about politics]

Has it ever occurred to these morons that maybe some folks want to pray?

Yes, but the facist litigators demand they be silenced.
They can pray to dirt and rock, the moon, and even the human anus, but if they pray to the Great I Am, they will be punished.

[concerned about politics]

I really don't see how this is a constitutional issue.

Yeh, but the anti-Christ liberals hate Christians and Jews.
To the left wing immoral minions, God is wanted - dead not alive!

[RightFighter]

...and even the human anus...

Are there people that actually PRAY to Dasshole?

[concerned about politics]

Are there people that actually PRAY to Dasshole?

No doubt! When their welfare check is late! LOL.

[goldstategop]

The ACLU theophobes strike again. From the tenor of their bitter complaints, one would think Louisiana was run by mullahs.

[StonyBurk]

I find it curious that ever since Fraud was instituted by
a ku klux klansman ,and Court established by FDR to change our constitution via interpretation by the Courts. Back in
Everson v. Board of Education,1947-- It seems many American know of Jeffersons letter to the Danbury Baptists,1802--yet
how many know of his letter to the Order of St.Urusla in
New Orleans,1804 --where President Jefferson said the
Constitution and government of the United States "are a shure gaurentee to you that it will be preserved to you. . . and it will meet all the protection which my office can give it." How corrupted we have allowed our
institutes become.

[concerned about politics]

How corrupted we have allowed our institutes become.

Facist litigation. They financially destroy anyone who tries to oppose them.

[rhema]

The ACLU theophobes strike again.

There are a lot of inaptly named (vilify-your-principled-opposition)-phobes, but you're right on target with this appellation.

[AppyPappy]

I really don't see how this is a constitutional issue.

Oh but it is. Stopping it is a violation of freedom of speech

[mbynack]

I stand corrected. It is a violation of both freedom of speech and freedom of religion, as it prohibits the free practice of religion.

[singsong]

The constitution limits the power of the federal government; it doesn't apply to state or local governments who are technically responsible for the operations of the schools.

You are right of course. The real problem is that the power of the courts is UNCHECKED. Yeah it's obvious that the courts are making up new law instead to judge who broke the EXISTING law. There is one and only one simple right that should belong ONLY to the Supreme Court - to declare a federal law unconstitutional. Other courts should cite current law as passed by Congress, NOT the Constitution. But what is their to stop them? We need simple VOTING power to recall political court decisions AND Judges. A very simplified and streamligned procedure for doing it would be the only way to stop the current madness. Appointment of Judges for life for lower courts is WRONG and it's not mandated by the Constitution. Our Congress CAN do this and their unwiligness is very telling.

[Zack Nguyen]

I agree that there is no constitutional justification whatsoever for suing over prayer, but be careful with your reasoning. We can't just apply the 1st Amendment to Congress alone - otherwise your state could limit freedom of speech and the press.

Perhaps the better argument would be to say that praying at school, voluntarily, does not in any way establish a religion. Neither does posting the Ten Commandments at the courthouse.

[Zack Nguyen]

I agree that there is no constitutional justification whatsoever for suing over prayer, but be careful with your reasoning. We can't just apply the 1st Amendment to Congress alone - otherwise your state could limit freedom of speech and the press.

Perhaps the better argument would be to say that praying at school, voluntarily, does not in any way establish a religion. Neither does posting the Ten Commandments at the courthouse.

[charmtrap]

Perhaps the better argument would be to say that praying at school, voluntarily, does not in any way establish a religion.

Personal prayer does not violate the Constitution. School-sponsored prayer does. Why is this so controversial?