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.
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."
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.
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