Student instigated prayer upheld in Alabama
By Religion Today (www.ReligionToday.com), July 16, 1999
A federal judge wrongly restricted student-instigated prayer at DeKalb County, Ala., schools. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta handed down the ruling July 13, the Associated Press reported. The 3-0 decision reversed a 1997 injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Ira DeMent that curbed the rights of students to pray and lead prayers in public schools. “The suppression of student-initiated religious speech is neither necessary to, nor does it achieve, constitutional neutrality toward religion,” the appeals court said. However, it let stand DeMent’s restrictions against school officials leading religious activities, including prayers.
The case originated over teacher-led devotionals and pregame prayers at athletic events. Also at issue was the distribution of Bibles on school grounds by Gideons International. Michael Chandler, a former vice principal at Valley Head High School, claimed these school activities unconstitutionally promoted Christianity. The American Civil Liberties Union joined him in his suit.
The ACLU said the decision partially supports its position. “School teachers still can’t grab students and ask them to pray in a class, which is what they were doing in DeKalb County,” ACLU attorney Pamela Sumners said. But the organization said it still may appeal the ruling.
“This is a victory for all the school children in the public schools of our state, that they do not surrender their constitutional rights when they attend a public school in Alabama,” said Attorney General Bill Pryor. “They do not surrender their religious faith and their religious beliefs.”