School prayer bill moves forward after heated debate

By , Herald-Tribune
/ Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A hotly debated school prayer bill passed the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday and is now headed to the full chamber for a vote.

The bill passed largely along party lines, with Democrats saying it violates the constitutional separation of church and state and Republicans arguing students have the right to free speech.

Rep. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, said he is concerned that minority religious groups will feel “isolation and embarrassment” if majority groups are allowed to organize school prayer events.

Republicans said the legislation is “content neutral” and does not elevate any particular group or message because the bill does not mention religion but simply allows “inspirational messages.” That language was crafted by House and Senate attorneys in an attempt to pass constitutional muster said Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights.

“In no way do I see that this is establishing religion in any manner whatsoever,” said Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart.

Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach, said the intention of the legislation is obvious.

“This is nothing more than a prayer in school bill that has a euphemism to try and hide the intent,” he said. “Stand up for what the Constitution provides and stand up for minorities.”

The bill has already passed the Senate, and Gov. rick Scott has not raised any concerns about the measure.

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Zac Anderson

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Last modified: February 22, 2012
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Donna Maloof
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 12:51 pm

Prayer in Public Places: The Bible says it all: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ”

“Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?”
And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”

Have these self proclaimed “Christians” never heard from the pulpit: “Speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent”?

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Tracey A Duffy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 1:03 pm

You know, the US Constitution is just a sheet of paper after all. No need to abide by it.

This is ridiculous!

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Brian
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 1:30 pm

Why are they wasting time with an issue which is only going to end up in Federal court and cost the taxpayers. Students can already pray in school; they cannot be led in prayer and under no circumstance do I want a teacher or any other person leading my child in prayer. Religion should not be instituted in public school.

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Gary
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 1:43 pm

@Zac Anderson, I don’t feel like I understand what’s in the bill. How about some more information?

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Earl
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Freedom from religion is just as important as freedom of religion. I want our legislators to keep these evangelical kooks away from my kids school. Amen.

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Ed Martin
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Republicans, in too many cases are not conservative of our Constition, just political panderers. My church is you law, is their credo

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Col. Rev. Eric Thompson
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 2:55 pm

Sadly almost without exception, every prayer I’ve heard from any public school, local county councils, various other city, county or state organizations is a Christian Prayer and almost without exception the prayer end with “in Jesus Christ’s name we pray”. This in and of itself clearly excludes other religion beliefs including but not limited to Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddhists, and Jews (the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest world religions). In my opinion it also does violate the separation of church and state.

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Col. Rev. Eric Thompson
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 2:58 pm

Sadly almost without exception, every prayer I’ve heard from any public school event, any local city or county councils, various other city, county or state organizations is a Christian Prayer and almost without exception the prayer end with “in Jesus Christ’s name we pray”. This in and of itself clearly excludes other religion beliefs including but not limited to Muslims, Hindu’s, Buddhists, (the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest world religions)and Jews. In my opinion it also does violate the separation of church and state.

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Jacques Plante
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 3:07 pm

Constitution? What Constitution? Don’t these Republicans have anything better to do than offend large segments of the citizenry? Prayer in school was (thankfully) decided years ago. Move on and do something positive for the state.

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SRQIggy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 4:47 pm

If anyone really bothered to read the Constitution, they would know that no where in it does it provide for a separation of church and State.

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SRQIggy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 4:49 pm

So, Tracy, you don’t want freedom of speech, protection from illegal search and seizure, etc? Then you really need to find another country to call home.

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Robin 'Roblimo' Miller
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 5:30 pm

Prayer in school is very good God-lord Ba’al and the Old Ones like Cthulhu love it very much! I will go to school, lead prayer to True Gods with children naked the way Gods sent them into this world, not covered with fake stuff.

Of, Father Lord Ba’al, we worship you worship worship worship! Save us from Heresy of Jew Jesus! We have today REAL prayer in schools. Yes, real! Not fake prayer!

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Norma
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 5:49 pm

We fought two wars because of radical muslims’ beliefs that they were right in the name of “Allah” (God). Why are we allowing our country to be put in the same position by radical right wing Evangelists who proclaim themselves to be right in the name of God? I am a Catholic. Church and government must remain separate. Remember the Inquisition in Spain? “Give to God what is God’s and to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Amen.

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joe
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 7:16 pm

Believe whatever you want, any religion is ok, but when you can’t say the pledge of alliance there is a problem. There is nothing wrong with one nation under god, as long as it doesn’t say what god it’s ok. That is a pledge of our country, if you don’t like it, don’t live here. Other than that if you want to preach in school go to a private religious school. You want to preach and pray save it for the right time and place, no one wants to here it and have it forced on them.

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John
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 8:49 am

Joe, the original pledge of allegiance did NOT have the words “under God”; yet another demonstration of our Founders’ intention to separate Church from State. Those were added during the Eisenhower Administration.

SRQIggy, go back to the document. It clearly bans any law that establish or abridge religion; and when you go back to the record of discussions among the writers of the Constitution to see their intent, this was added to assure a separation of Church and State.

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joe
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 2:11 pm

John unless you don’t believe in a god, any god you would not have a problem with my post, furthermore if there were religion , any religion in people’s lives it would be better. A pledge to the USA in my eyes is not a problem and if you don’t like it move from this country, either you are for what the USA stands for or against it, pick a side, there is no middle ground. This is not a religious rant, when I was a kid there were no school shooting, maybe we need to go back to what works, I really don’t care who wrote it.

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joe
Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Clown John, another Floridian from the center of the country that needs to be recognized. There are mental help doctors for what’s wrong with you