Saying there is no harm in silence, a federal appeals court in Chicago on Friday revived a dormant state law that requires a moment of "silent prayer or silent reflection" to start the day at every public school.
UPDATE 10/3/11: Atheist Rob Sherman loses as U.S. Supreme Court allows prayer law to stand
UPDATE 1/14/11: Illinois schools resume "Silent Reflection and Student Prayer"
-- From "Court finds moment of silence law constitutional" by The Associated Press 10/15/10
In its ruling Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled legislators who supported the bill said the moment of reflection had a secular and practical purpose in settling down students at the start of the school day.
The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by talk show host Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a student at [District 214] Buffalo Grove High School in suburban Chicago.
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From "Illinois' 'moment of silence' law upheld" by Tara Malone and Andy Grimm, Chicago Tribune reporters 10/15/10
The court upheld the law because it does not specify that the silent time be used for prayer, and because legislators who supported the bill said the moment of reflection had both a secular and practical purpose in settling down students at the start of the day.
A spokeswoman for Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office, which defended the measure, welcomed the ruling, saying it "upholds the legislature's action in voting overwhelmingly to pass this law."
The case now returns to U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, paving the way for Illinois public schools to once again provide a moment for students to silently reflect or pray on the "anticipated activities of the day."
On Friday, Dawn Sherman, now a 17-year-old senior, and her father vowed to appeal.
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