Posted on 05/22/2006 6:46:45 AM PDT by dukeman
Russell Springs, KY - In protest to a court order issued hours before the Russell County High School graduation last Friday night, about 200 seniors spontaneously stood and began reciting the Lord's Prayer, prompting a standing ovation from a standing-room only crowd. 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. Megan was interrupted repeatedly during her speech by the cheering crowd as she urged her classmates to trust in God as they go through life.
On Friday, May 19, Judge Joseph H. McKinley, Jr., in a short three-sentence temporary restraining order, barred Russell County High School and senior Megan Chapman from including prayer at the graduation scheduled later that day. Liberty Counsel now represents Megan and will request the court to vacate its ruling.
The court's order is invalid, wrong, and limited. First, the court had no authority to order Megan to refrain from prayer as she was never made a party to the case. Moreover, a temporary restraining order which restricts a person's speech cannot be issued without first providing the affected person notice and an opportunity to be heard. Second, the court order runs contrary to the best legal precedent established in Adler v. Duval County School Board, a case successfully litigated by Liberty Counsel. Finally, the order was limited because it only addressed prayer. It did not, nor could it, prohibit Megan from thanking God or sharing her religious viewpoint during her speech.
Megan began her speech by saying that God has guided her since she was a child. The students repeatedly interrupted her with applause as she gave thanks to God throughout her message. Megan 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."
Anita L. Staver, President of Liberty Counsel, commented: "Students have the right to include religious viewpoints during their graduation speeches. It is inappropriate for a school to censor religious viewpoints from a student's personal graduation message. Our country was founded upon prayer. Our currency acknowledges God. Our legislatures begin each session with prayer. Our students have the right to voluntarily pray during graduation. It is insensitive and unconstitutional to silence student-initiated, voluntary prayer."
As part of its Friend or Foe Graduation Prayer Campaign, Liberty Counsel has a legal memo available at LC.org which addresses the law regarding graduation prayer.
/sarcasm at the end of your statement would help delineate between sarcasm and a true to the heart statement. Don't make me take out the Shepherds's hook! /humor - Peace!
> Sorry I hurt your feelings.
You misunderstand. All-caps is the mark of the kook.
> many schools go so far as to remove students who wear crosses or have Christian themes on their notebooks.
References, please. This sounds quite unConstitutional, so please also provide references to the court cases that ok'ed these actions.
I never felt so blessed to live in such a great community. I feel sad for those too intimidated to demand such opportunities. - OB1
Quite PC of you, and entitled to your opinion. IMO, though, America's decline in morality and common decency seemed to begin with a vengence precisely when prayer was taken out of the public schools. Could be a coincidence...
The issue of whether or not public schools, funded by taxpayers, should exist is another whole subject.
I don't think it is distasteful or inappropriate to give thanks to those or the One you think helped you achieve your successes. It appears in this case that the remarks were well-received.
You are right that private employers can fire employees for what they say, but not so easily can public employers do this.
It's difficult enough for public employers to fire *anybody*. For instance, I've been trying to fire Teddy Kennedy ever since 1988, but the fact that I don't live in Massachussetts has always been a hinderance.
Since school-enforced prayer was taken out of public schools, we've:
Besides, church attendance has been within a statistical hair of the same result since the 40s. What, you aren't indoctrinating your kids properly in the home and in church, and need the schools to do that?
How silly of me to think only of abortion, teen pregnancy, disrespect for elders, homosexuality, selfishness, etc., when I posted. How could I have forgotten that event that defines the character of a nation: Putting a man on the moon?
I'm not indoctrinating any kids; don't have any kids.
I know, equal rights for millions of black citizens really means nothing. Prior to the ending of coerced prayer in school, we coulda hanged us a nigger who's datin' a white woman, but now we gots to let it happen, and them damn half-breeds'r runnin' 'round everywhere.
This is a candidate for "Noble of the Week". Isn't it odd that this judge is totally oblivious to the wording of Amendment I?
I applaud these kids.
Good work. Good for them.
I am from Russell Springs and I know a lot of people in the school system and we are all very proud of them for showing such faith and courage. I am very happy that my children attend school in Russell County.
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