Moment of Silence in Texas Challenged

[cal04]

A couple has filed a complaint in federal court charging that the state's mandated moment of silence in public schools is unconstitutional. David and Shannon Croft say a teacher told one of their children to keep quiet because the minute is a ''time for prayer.''

The complaint filed last week names Gov. Rick Perry and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in the Dallas suburbs. David Croft, 37, said there is no secular reason for a moment of silence. ''This is just a ruse to get prayer in school without calling it prayer in school,'' he said.

The law, passed in 2003, allows children to ''reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other silent activities'' for one minute after the American and Texas pledges at the beginning of each school day. Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt said children can use the minute as they wish.

''If the student wants to review mentally to get ready for a test or pray silently, they can,'' Walt said. ''The law does not set it up specifically as a moment for prayer.'' A school district spokeswoman declined comment because the district had not received a copy of the complaint.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Silence-Complaint.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Nye Bevan]

1. Some people have too much time on their hands

If a public school was making the kids say the Lord's Prayer every day then sure, go and raise hell about it.

But a moment for "any silent activities" is unconstitutional? Give me a break.

[bryant69]

2. We live in a Christian dominated society

Even more so in Texas, I would imagine. What happens when 5 kids bow their heads and the sixth pops open a book and starts reading? Well at recess those five kids pound on the sixth.

I don't know if that would happen, but that's the most viable arguement I've heard against this issue.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Nye Bevan]

4. Then those 5 kids should be suspended from school

And if they are not, *then* the parent of the sixth should sue.

Bullies will seize on any pretext to pound their victims.

[mondo joe]

5. The moment of silence is just to facilitate prayer - and just

certain types of prayer at that.

[bryant69]

You mean a Muslim Student would not be allowed to pray?

Or something else?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[mondo joe]

8. Different religions require different things during prayer.

Muslims are to face Mecca.

[bryant69]

9. And some religions have traditional vocal prayers

Which a moment of silence would not allow.

And of course atheists would be screwed since they don't pray anyway. Although I suppose they could enjoy a moment of silence by reading or something.

Bryant

[demosincebirth]

6. I agree...or too much money

It would something else if they were making them pray.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Moment of silence is a thinly veiled intrusion of religion.

A sort of "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" around the constitution.

[AllegroRondo]

7. Students already have the right to pray any time they want

why do they need a special time set aside?

If the churches were serious about this, they would be AGAINST a moment of silence. Having one implies that this is the only time the school allows students to pray, when in fact they can pray any time they like as long as they dont disturb others.

[Ishoutandscream2]

10. Public school counselor from Texas here

As a previous poster noted, this is a veiled attempt at bringing prayer to public school. This was "mandated" last year by a Republican controlled congress. Everyday, we have to say the pledge to America and Texas (WTF?) followed by a minute of silence. Anyone with an ounce of sense should know that this is an attempt by the fundies who run our state to get prayer in schools through the back door, so to speak.

[KittyWampus]

11. No SECULAR reason for moment of silence? What an uniformed statement

before ANY endeavor, be it school day, athletic event or office presentation, taking a few moments to still the mind, CONCENTRATE and bring ones awareness to the goal at hand is essential to being as effective as possible.

This is how human pyschology works.

In their zeal to be 'secular' some athiests end up being as dogmatic and reactive as the religious fundies.

[TX-RAT]

12. If they really want to eliminate prayer from schools.

They'll have to eliminate tests first.