This is some good news coming out of Florida regarding prayer. As you may know, atheist organizations and others are targeting prayer in schools and at city council meetings all over the United States. This good news comes from Life Site News. Read on and be blessed.
By Peter J. Smith
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, June 7, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Florida has enacted a new law protecting the rights of individuals at public schools to engage freely in prayer and other religious expression. Gov. Charlie Crist signed the bill, which had been passed by the legislature in May, on Friday.
The bill (HB 31) originated as a response to a controversy surrounding the Santa Rosa County School District, which had been pressured by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to adopt a policy that forbade all school personnel from engaging in non-official school-related religious activities.
“Our First Amendment rights, granted to us by the U.S. Constitution are absolute, and this law ensures that they remain that way,” said Rep. Greg Evers (R-01) in a statement provided to local Florida online journal, NorthEscambia.com. Evers said the law would protect students “who want to thank God in a commencement speech” or bow their heads in silent prayer “without fear of being questioned or stopped.”
The law states that district school boards and their employees are prohibited from taking proactive measures, including making agreements, that infringe or waive “the rights or freedoms afforded to instructional personnel, school staff, or students by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.” It says that written consent from “the individual whose constitutional rights would be impacted” would be necessary before such steps could be taken.
The version of the bill signed into law by Gov. Crist will prevent school officials from interfering in the religious expression of students and school employees at events. However, it would not authorize official, organized school prayer, religious expression, or recognition of God at events such as sports events and student assemblies. Read more here.