School prayer: 50 years after the ban, God and faith more present than ever (CSMonitor)

[pinto]

Long article (it's CSM's weekly print edition cover story) yet worth a read. ~ pinto

School prayer: 50 years after the ban, God and faith more present than ever

School prayer was banned by the US Supreme Court 50 years ago, but there is probably more presence of religion in public school environments – through club ministries, classes, after-school and interfaith programs, and faith-based services – than ever.

By Lee Lawrence, Correspondent / June 16, 2013

At the adolescent-unfriendly hour of 7:10 on this rainy spring morning in tiny Loachapoka, Ala., classes won't start for another half hour in the public school. But already the science lab at Loachapoka High School is coming alive with the banter of 13 teens sloughing off backpacks and settling in to learn – not about chemistry or biology, but about faith.

Who knows what happened this weekend?" asks Kevin Flannagan, regional director for Campus Life ministry.

Immediately, the teens quiet down to listen. "Easter," a boy volunteers.

<snip>

It has been 50 years since the Supreme Court banned school-sponsored prayer. But God and faith are probably present in more ways now than ever in public schools, say law and religion experts and activists.

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2013/0616/School-prayer-50-years-after-the-ban-God-and-faith-more-present-than-ever

[muntrv]

1. Why are they in the science lab? To say that science is bunk?

[pinto]

2. No clue to the specifics on this meeting. But the CSM piece looks at the overall big picture -

Where's the line on church / state separation in public schools? Some groups meet before official class time or after. Some are more an integral part of classes. The line's increasingly blurred.

It's a long article but check it out. Worth a read.

[Igel]

3. That would be irrelevant.

Perhaps the science teacher's the sponsor of the group--the group would need a sponsor, or somebody to provide space. The science teacher might disagree with the group but just provide the signature so it can be a group.

Perhaps the lab's empty not going to be used. I know schools where the classes are in the classrooms and a science teacher has a separate room for the lab. Some days they meet in class. Some days they meet in the lab.

[Iggo]

4. Then "Why fight it?" I say!

[Zoeisright]

5. And that's too bad.

What about "shall establish no religion" do these dumbasses not understand?