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Court OK of student-led school board prayers to be appealed

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A federal appeals court in New Orleans will be asked to reconsider its ruling allowing student-led prayer at school board meetings.

 

On Monday, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that such prayers don't run afoul of the prohibition against government-established religion.

 

The American Humanist Association, a plaintiff in the case, disagreed. An attorney with the group said Wednesday a request for a hearing by the full 15-member court will be filed in the next two weeks.

 

Conservative groups are applauding the decision. The Florida-based Liberty Counsel on Wednesday lauded it as a "stinging rebuke to groups that want to cleanse America of prayer."