Should prayer be allowed at a high school graduation? A valedictorian named Eric Workman doesn't think so, he says the prayer and the vote at Greenwood High School unconstitutionally subject religious practice to majority rule.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in our comments.

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Valedictorian Sues to Stop High School Graduation Prayer

Greenwood High School faces suit over prayer

Comments

[Dave Wottle]

Students in Indiana have to take a US Government class to graduate from High School. Government class is not being taught properly for Greenwood H.S. to even allow such a vote. It's my understanding that the vote was taken of students before they took Government class.

So what you have are religious bigots preying on the undereducated to get their majority vote. No surprise there. And any student who can defend his vote for prayer after taking Government doesn't deserve to graduate.

[Betsy]

What a line: "What you have are religious bigots preying on the undereducated to get their majority vote." Clearly, this man's bias rings loud and clear.
Jay Sekulow of America's Center for Law and Justice can explain far better than I can why prayer should be allowed at such ceremonies. I will only add that I am going to be praying for Eric Workman, his lawyers, the school AND Dave Wottle. How tragic when men think they are so intelligent and educated. I do agree that government classes are improperly taught, but it is Wottle's flawed beliefs, rather than the Christian students, that are produced by such teachings.

[C.P. Steinmetz]

How appropriate.

First: Education is the antidote for religious belief. Consequently, after spending 12 years trying to educate children, it is an abomination to have a prayer at the most important ceremony of their young educational lives.

Second: There are ample legal precedents to firmly establish that an 'election' of this sort cannot override laws or civil rights.

[Mary Smith]

Why do the Christians feel the need to force their superstition on children? Why can't they do their praying at home or in their churches? There is nothing stopping them from going off to church to do their praying after their graduation. Well done to this young man for defending the constitution.

[Kendall]

In a VOM newsletter, Tom White made a comment in his editorial. Although the editorial was referencing China, it has some applications for us. He said:

"How can the largest group of Christians in the world grow where Mao’s brutal Red Guard attempted to destroy all of Christianity? This question is perplexing to those in the West who believe the religious freedom laws constitute the foundation of our Christian presence. Christ is our head and foundation. He alone establishes a church that cannot be destroyed."

[Rick Supplee]

Hard to see how prayer at school can negatively impact others who hear it. The fact is that prayer is entirely voluntary and those listening can just choose to ignore it and not participate. They can end up with zero impact from a prayer but there are many in the assembly who benefit deeply from prayer.

[Larry Flynn]

Another example of the one denying the religious freedom of the many. Also another example of the ACLUs continuing war against Christianity. (They haven't ever sued a Muslim for praying)

[Stacy Harp]

Wow, thanks for your comments everyone!

[Lilfut]

If you're forced to pray, it's bad.

If you are allowed to pray, you have the right.