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Schools in 6th lawsuit over religion

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By Sylvia Schon

Thursday, June 7, 2007 10:04 AM CDT

A prayer led by teachers during a graduation ceremony has led the American Civil Liberties Union to file a lawsuit against the Tangipahoa Parish School System for government-endorsed religious activities.

This is the sixth suit the ACLU has filed against the local school board in 13 years.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Orleans Wednesday on behalf of a parent and his two children who attend parish public schools.

School system officials learned of the lawsuit Wednes-day and contacted their attorney Kirk Gasperecz of the Adams and Reese law firm in New Orleans. A publicist for the school board cited school system policy that prohibits any comments and referred all inquiries to Gasperecz.

The plaintiffs in the case attended graduation exercises for the school system's PM High School on May 17.

The program stated that a student would give an invocation, but instead teacher Anthony Massi and another teacher gave a prayer that began with “Lord, we thank you forŠ” and ended with “We pray for these things in Jesus' name, Amen,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit contends Princi-pal Dale Brouilette and board member Ann Smith were present and did not make an effort to.stop the teacher-led prayer.

“The taxpayers and residents of Tangipahoa Parish should be outraged that their elected officials continue to violate clearly established law,” ACLU staff attorney Katie Schwartzmann said. “The school board ought to stop wasting its money and time in court, which robs the children of resources needed for a quality education.”

Joe Cook, the ACLU ‘s state executive director, said the board should “stop preaching and start teaching that government-sponsored prayers in public schools are illegal.”

“Parents and students should not have their constitutionally-protected religious beliefs discounted and fundamental rights ignored as the price of attending a graduation ceremony.”

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Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

Dorothy wrote on Aug 2, 2007 1:23 AM:

" I am madder about the tax funded, all Muslim school that is set to open in Brooklyn, New York. And how about the university that is installing footbaths for Muslims? That is a religion, not a culture. That should not be allowed. I think people are afraid to say no to Muslims, for fear of getting their throats slilt. "

dontunderstand in WV wrote on Jul 31, 2007 1:06 PM:

" why is illegal to pray in public? but we can have daycare/headstart teach our kids praying hands before meals? why is it that we should only pray inside the church or before we go to bed? Are there that many people that ashamed of Jesus? didnt Jesus once say "if you are ashamed of me i will be ashamed of you before my father" i believe that prayer should be allowed anywhere/anytime not be stopped anywhere because prayer does help each and everyone of us in any situation (good/bad)if it werent for Jesus and prayer i dont think that many of us would be where we are today lord help them to understand and not be ashamed of you and prayer i dont know exactly the prayer that was prayed but im sure it was to have your will be done in their lives to guide them to continue in the right path by finding work, attending higher education, etc. father only you know and i belive and trust you that you will talk to those who have a problem with praying in public dont they know prayer is a way of talking with you i pray inJesusnameamen "

Rex wrote on Jul 30, 2007 11:04 AM:

" If the ACLU would quit suing school boards over prayer in schools then the school boards could get back to teaching our children the basics. When I was in school prayer was and the Pledge of Allegiance was said every morning and all the words were used, and none of my class mates suffered from the use of In God We Trust. It is time to put these words back into the schools. GOD BLESS AMERICA. It you don't like this country then LEAVE it. "

Jan wrote on Jul 30, 2007 1:48 AM:

" The ACLU represents little or nothing that this country was founded upon. Do you think someone like Abe Lincoln would be an ACLU member? I think not. I see very little good coming from the ACLU. Another Colossi Loosers Union=ACLU. PS Freedom of speech works both ways. Christians have it too! "

Anthony Barnes wrote on Jul 29, 2007 7:25 PM:

" I am a man of Christian beliefs but what those teachers did was wrong. The law clearly allows students to pray in schools because they are not representatives of the government. It clearly forbids teachers or any other government employees from doing so because that gives the impression that the government is endorsing religion. That is something it cannot and must not do. The Bible instructs believers to obey the laws of the land. So, not only did those teachers violate the laws of the land but they violated the Word of God. They ought to be ashamed of themselves and should ask their God for forgiveness.The ACLU is right this time. No doubt about it. "

Jo-bee wrote on Jul 29, 2007 6:17 PM:

" I think Prayer needs to be brought back to the fore-front in school, when you took JESUS out you put the devil in and you have noticed the huge problem that you created, kids killing, disrespecting the teachers, and the violence that has taken place. Some on the issues that come before you folks needs to be put in the back burners, caused all you've done is created havic. God Bless all of you any-one. Have a great day. Jo-bee "

Robert Herrick wrote on Jul 19, 2007 2:05 PM:

" I think we should bring prayer back but it should be mandatory and ALL faiths must be represented. One day have all the kids bow to the East and give thanks to Allah. One day a prayer to Jesus. One day the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Ramen). And of course, one day without prayer. See which ones the kids like best. I'm an atheist but I'd let my kids participate in that! "

Shahram Naim wrote on Jul 17, 2007 3:39 PM:

" I'm an Iranian Jew. I remember even in Iran in elementary where their is no separataion of church and state, when I went to a mixed state school, during their Quran classes, theyd give the Jewish students a choice. we could go outside and play, the library and study, or stay if we wanted. It seems with Bush being a born again president in this country, religious teachers want to preach to kids of different faiths. At least in Iran non-muslims didnt have to listen to it if we didnt want to. They didnt try to convert us, here my 2 nephews are. "

Erik wrote on Jul 16, 2007 12:41 PM:

" As an Atheist myself I think its great that g-d is losing so much ground these days. I'm also glad g-d is being tossed out of schools where it doesn't belong. I mean it would be like if I wanted to sacrifice to Zeus or Thor at school. Or at the very least have public worship to them in the middle of class. Look folks. Government paid employees have no business in government funded public places praying. If you want to do that useless activity at home go ahead. But stay out of my schools. Peace. Atheism Forever. "

Sheena wrote on Jul 11, 2007 9:29 AM:

" It is pathetic that some Christians keep whining that they are being censored, forced to give up their religious rights, and not being allowed to express their beliefs. How is illegally exposing a captive audience of children to teachers' beliefs a Constitutional right? But I don't think this illegal and offensive behavior in the schools will cease until Separation of Church and State is taught and explained to teachers in training, and also taught and explained to children in public schools from an early age. Pray all you want, ye Christians who are more-holy-than-others -- just don't do it in our schools. "

Michael of Peoria wrote on Jul 10, 2007 2:47 PM:

" I am offended by the act of these Chistians trying to perpetuate their beleif system on anyone in the public arena. There is a clear seperation of religion and state in the Constitution and I think that they should adhere to the law. The founding fathers of this great nation saw the threat of fundamental religios belief and structured the framework for the law of the land to exclude religios practice in the public system of government. I think that these fundamentalist should should read their own bible because Jesus took out a coin and said,"Whose image is on this coin" . The reply was,"Ceaser's". Then Jesus told his congregation to ,"Render unto god that which is god's and render unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's". Clearly the son of man understood the danger of religios belief being mixed up with the political arena of man. "

John wrote on Jul 8, 2007 7:35 PM:

" These various comments really say alot about what people know and don't know about our Nation. First of all this is a Christian Nation, not all the people in it are christian and the country isn't but the Nation is based on Christian principles straight out of the Bible. We, adults, are to train children in the way which they should go. People take a look at the worst crimes committed is schools prior to the removal of prayer in 1961 I think it was versus what it is now. We keep getting further and further from God and suffering more and more for it. The ACLU is a socialist organization that wants all religion gone and wants to own everything you have to be Despot. Does anyone know what the simple prayer was prior to it being removed? So simple it is rediculous it was removed. But I guess there are those that believe that God should have nothing to do with school, country or anything else. There should be no patriotism, or respect for our country or each other. We should just be able to do what ever we want, whenever we want.THINK! "

Dan wrote on Jul 8, 2007 5:15 PM:

" When you start letting the Government Run your church, then you can envoke your church in our Government funded schools. Seperation means just that Reverend, we have no right to interfere with your religion so stay out of my school while I'm paying for it through my taxes. Now if you would like your church to pay for ALL of the costs of running the school, then you can make the rules. Read the Constitution. "

Steve A wrote on Jun 30, 2007 4:17 AM:

" Chrissey said "Next there will be petitions passed through out communities asking us to forgive a cold-blooded murderer and allow him/her to be our neighbor." You mean like Scooter Libby? I did see online petitions about him. At any rate, you'd figure the school system would get a hint. This is the 6th time and I think the school system is batting 0 for 5 thus far. C'mon teachers, you know better. Get a clue or get better lawyers. "

Beat A Dead Horse wrote on Jun 26, 2007 1:43 PM:

" I agree, the school board continues to throw good money after bad over this issue. I am a Christian, but I do not want my beliefs forced on anyone else, nor do I want them to force their beliefs on me. I have to agree with Brent Jones. Be careful what you wish for. There may come a time in America's future when Christians are not the majority. Let the school take care of educating my kids and I'll take care of their souls. "

Katie wrote on Jun 25, 2007 12:23 PM:

" What part of freedom of religion is not understood here? Why must we silence ourselves simply because we are Christians, while others may yell, scream, rant, and rave, as much as they wish? Does that seem just? "

Brent Jones wrote on Jun 24, 2007 8:12 PM:

" Thank God that Thomas Jefferson spoke loudly about the "WALL" (his word) of separation between church and state. Many Christians seem worse than Islamic folks when it comes to forcing the children of others to hear their own personal religion's prayers. IF the prayers aren't working at home and at church and anywhere else, they won't work just because they are out loud at school. Thank God for Thomas Paine, James Madison, and George Washington, who also strongly endorsed the separation between Church and State. Just because they mentioned God, as I do here, does not mean they wanted a theocracy ruled by the majority religion. They did not. Move to Iran if you want theocracy. America. Love it or leave it! "

Sammy wrote on Jun 23, 2007 7:48 AM:

" What part of government shall establish NO religion do you guys not understand? School board members, priciples, and teachers are goverment employees and you're correct Rev. Darren, they don't relinquish their rights in doing so. However, doing so needs to be done on THEIR time, not ours. "

Rev. Darren (Anglican) wrote on Jun 20, 2007 4:00 PM:

" I believe that Freedom OF Religion is what is guaranteed...Not Freedom FROM Religion. As long as no one was forced to pray... What could be wrong with offering up an invocation of some type? Be it Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Taoist; What would be the harm. If you don't have a belief in anything... Don't pray. Just because a teacher is a government employee does not mean he or she ceases to be an American citizen; fully endowed with the fundamental right to religious opinion and a right to express that opinion. There is a concerted effort to 'erase' religion from all aspects of public life. The ACLU and several 'special interest' groups are fundamental in trying to keep religion under a rock. This is not in the spirit nor the intent behind the laws separating Church & State. How much money was wasted to say a prayer at the ceremony? I would say that the ACLU is the culprit behind any money lost to defend a fundamental right to free speech. Thanks! "

Chrissey wrote on Jun 20, 2007 2:02 PM:

" Trouble only began in schools when "God & Prayer were taken out of it." Out of numerous Christians that attend public schools we have to be subjected to laws that abolish "God" from being spoken of for what, maybe a handful of Non-Christians? I am sure all of this has been brought before the courts and now "In God We Trust" is being wiped clean. Next there will be petitions passed through out communities asking us to forgive a cold-blooded murderer and allow him/her to be our neighbor. This is a time waistful case and shouldn't waste tax payer dollars or ink to print on newspapers. Signed, Concerned Christian "

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