NPR News, Classical and Music of the Delta
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bossier School Officials Investigate Teacher Classroom Prayer Allegations

Courtesy: Public Domain Images
Credit Courtesy: Public Domain Images
/
Courtesy: Public Domain Images

CLASSROOM PRAYER ALLEGATIONS- A Bossier Parish Elementary School Teacher has been accused  of  conducting  open  prayer in an elementary school classroom,  a practice which has been ruled by the US Supreme court as unconstitutional.   The allegations were brought up in a letter sent earlier this week to the Bossier Parish School System  by  the Freedom From Religion Foundation,  a non-profit group based in Wisconsin. According to its website: the foundation is   committed  to the principle of separation of church and state.    Sam Grover , associate counsel for the foundation  explains why this action was taken.  "There have been numerous cases over the years at the  Supreme Court level dealing with public schools and the way it washes out, teachers cannot lead prayer or participate in student-led prayer or set aside time specifically for students to pray in their classroom." When asked what led to the FFRF actions to get involved,  Grover explains, " This began with a local community member contacting (FFRF) to let us know what was going on. What we were told is that this teacher goes student by student and asks each student 'what would they like to pray for?'; the teacher then delivers a brief Christian prayer for whatever the student requests.  And then writes it down and moves on to the next student."  Grover also explained that parents had received an e-mail from the teacher to let them know what she was doing and that the students could "opt-out" from the prayer activity.  "But at the end of the day "explained Grover, "that doesn't make the practice any more legal..." explained Grover.

An  interview  request with Bossier School System Superintendent Scot Smith but was declined,  an e-mail from  the  public relations  spokesperson  explained the reason was due this being a personnel matter. 

Credit Courtesy: wikimedia-commons
/
Courtesy: wikimedia-commons

As reported in the Shreveport Times -- Bossier Parish Schools  learned of the foundation's complaint  this  past Monday.   Superintendent  Smith issued a statement  that an  investigation  into  the  matter  has  begun  and said  "... though  prayer  is allowed  in certain situations  at school, such as at Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s meetings, Bossier Schools  understands  it  is  not permissible  in the classroom.  Should findings support the claim made, this practice will cease immediately."

CLASSROOM PRAYER ALLEGATIONS- A Bossier Parish Elementary School Teacher has been accused of conducting open prayer in an elementary school classroom, a practice which has been ruled by the US Supreme court as unconstitutional.

According to Grover,  "The only reason that this is an issue at all is because the government is involved. This is the government prescribing a religious preference to a bunch of first-graders and that violates the Constitution.  Each individual family within the district has the absolute right to believe whatever religion they choose to believe.  That's not what's at issue here." Sam Grover, associate Counsel with the Freedom From Religion Foundation. No  word  yet  as  to what the Bossier Parish School System’s investigation has discovered. We will update this report as  that information becomes  available.

Copyright 2017 Red River Radio

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' experience to Red River Radio having started out as a radio news reporter and moving into television journalism as a newsmagazine producer / host, talk-show moderator, programming director and managing producer and news director / anchor for commercial, public broadcasting and educational television. He has more recently worked in advertising, marketing and public relations as a writer, video producer and media consultant. In pursuit of higher learning, Chuck studied Mass Communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.