> As an Atheist, I don't see what this principal's problem is.
Try reading post #71, especially the last bit quoted below:
“They’re in the middle of a very busy area, grouped together, so others couldn’t get around,” he said. “Other kids cannot avoid it. That’s not appropriate, whether they’re praying or whatever they’re doing.”
Wonder if they take the same approach to football players, cheerleaders, band members and others who travel enmasse?
A common area is not a hallway. If there was enough room for them to move "further back" it's not a hallway.
My niece experience something similar a few years ago. The high school she attended was participating in the Meet Me at the Flag Pole, which started 45 minutes before school. Some of the staff complained that a prayerful show of solidarity was some how offensive to students and teachers who were not of a like mind. The PC principal went along...