Lone Atheist Muzzles Penn. Students at Graduation

There will be no invocation or benediction at commencement ceremonies at Pottsgrove High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania this year because last year a single, anonymous complaint frightened school officials into a panic.  As a result, constitutionally-protected, student-initiated Christian free speech has been officially banned.

"The decision was made after last year's graduation when a student went off script from the nondenominational prayer that has been done over the years and turned it into a very Christian prayer."
-- Rick Rabinowitz, school board president

"It was offensive to someone else in the audience and it was reported to me that it was offensive and religious in nature and that we should stop it."
-- Shellie A. Feola, Superintendent

For background, read the never-ending assault on public schools by atheists and the ACTUAL recent Supreme Court rulings.

Also read Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations, Judge Rules

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Nix Ohio Graduation Choir Tradition

Atheists Help Liberal Schools Ban Christmas Choirs

Lone Jew, ACLU Stop Prayer in Pennsylvania Town

Pennsylvania School Staff to Mosque for Islamic Training

First-grade Christian Censored, Pennsylvania School Sued

Washington School Football Coach Forced to Stop Praying AFTER Games

However, a Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists

-- From "No invocation, benediction at Pottsgrove High commencement" by Gabbie O'Grady, Reading Eagle 5/27/16

Justin Valentine was school board president during 2015 graduation and said a complaint from another board member was the reason prayer was pulled.

"What happened was there was one person, one complaint that we received, and that's what triggered this," he said. "We knew the driving force behind this not happening again."

Valentine declined to identify the individual.

Current board member Patricia Grimm was also on the board in August when the decision on prayer was made.

"To me, it's (prayer) student driven," she said. "This is a tradition we always have regardless of the law and this is what the students want. I know there was a lot of discussion about the student going off of his intended speech but there was only one complaint."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Ending of graduation prayer at Pottsgrove High School debated" by Evan Brandt, Pottstown Mercury 5/26/16

The change apparently is the result of one student’s decision to invoke Jesus Christ in his comments at last year’s graduation.

As a result, [Supt.] Feola consulted the district’s longtime Solicitor Marc Davis, who told her a 2000 ruling in California made the district’s practice illegal.

. . . although the decision was made in August, it did not become a public discussion until Thursday, part of discussion on Facebook — particularly among board members, and two former school board presidents.

“This is very disappointing to me too,” wrote board member Bill Parker. “While the district, due to case law, can not direct that there be a prayer as part of the ceremony, we can also not violate freedom of speech.”

Mike Neiffer, who served as school board president prior to Valentine and acknowledged that there are legal issues to be considered, posted “I think the issue is that the change doesn’t appear to have been discussed in public nor was the public allowed to comment on it. As for me, let the students decide. It’s their graduation.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

Atheists Nix Ohio Graduation Choir Tradition

Board members of the East Liverpool City School District demonstrated their ignorance of U.S. Supreme Court rulings, as well as their gullibility to atheist bullying when they decided to end the decades-long tradition of the school choir singing The Lord's Prayer at the East Liverpool High School commencement.

"When I was first on this board I expressed a concern about us singing. The comment made was that 'we know we are breaking the law, we will do it until we get caught.' Well, ladies and gentlemen we got caught."
-- Board President Larry Walton

For background, read the never-ending assault on public schools by atheists and the ACTUAL recent Supreme Court rulings.

Also read Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations, Judge Rules

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Atheists Say Too Many Christians at Ohio School

Atheists Help Liberal Schools Ban Christmas Choirs

Washington School Football Coach Forced to Stop Praying AFTER Games

Florida Student Failed for Being Christian, Lawyer Says

Ban Christians From Missouri Schools, Atheists Say

However, a Kentucky School Supt. Backs Prayer vs. Atheists




-- From "Lord's Prayer dropped from East Liverpool graduation ceremony" posted at WFMJ-TV21 (Youngstown, OH) 5/6/16 updated 5/12/16

When East Liverpool High School seniors graduate later this month, singing the Lord's Prayer will not be a part of the ceremony.

After a complaint by a parent, the district received a letter from The Freedom From Religion Foundation [FFRF, based in Wisconsin,] citing legal rulings on the separation of church and state.

. . . Larry Walton tells 21 News that the prayer has been part of commencement for the ten years he has been with the school.

However he says following the complaints, the school will no longer the prayer during the ceremony.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Prayer’s removal prompts response" by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert, Staff Writer, Morning Journal News (Lisbon, OH) 5/10/16

[Choir director Lisa] Ensinger said she sang the song at her own graduation and, when interviewed for her position, was asked what would happen if she was ever told students could not sing it.

"I said, 'That's the day I resign,' and now it's happened and my heart is broken," Ensinger told the board, adding that the Lord's Prayer has been sung for district graduations for 70 years and saying, "I hate to see that go. When we stop having traditions what do we have left?"

President Larry Walton said, "The Supreme Court says we can't do it," saying other districts have tried to fight it and, in at least one, the legal costs were more than $850,000.

Board member Richard Wolf questioned, "I don't know when we voted on this. Did we vote on this? If it's student initiated, it's like prayer at the flag pole. If those people want to institute a lawsuit, let them."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Decision to remove Lord’s Prayer met with opposition" by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert, East Liverpool Reporter, The Review (East Liverpool, OH) 5/6/16

Since no public discussion or vote on the issue were held by the school board, the newspaper made a public records request for all emails between board members and [Superintendent Melissa] Watson to determine how the decision was made.

[The newspaper obtained] a flurry of emails between board members and Watson through May 1 in regard to the matter, with President Larry Walton the first to respond, saying, "Let us just not do it. We have 'gotten away' with it for 10 years. This is a battle we will lose. I don't believe we should waste our funds on such a legal encounter."

. . . [Board member Patricia Persohn wrote,] "I am hearing parents threatening to withdraw their students. I was elected to represent the views of the community, and they are screaming. At the time that I voted to replace the song, I thought we were being threatened with lawsuit. I do believe it is just a matter of time before we are engaged in a fight. We need to set this issue aside right now and move on. I will vote to let the song remain in the program."

In her initial emailed response, board member Sarah Porter said, "I'm OK with a lawsuit. I'm a Catholic girl, lol, I'm not opposed to the Lord's Prayer. In this day and age, I think the majority of the public will back us if a lawsuit is brought forth."

To read more of the internal E-mails of the board members printed in the article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Board asked to reconsider removing Lord's Prayer from East Liverpool graduation" by Danielle Cotterman, Reporter, WFMJ-TV21 (Youngstown, OH) 5/9/16 updated 5/15/16

"As a person of faith it means a great deal to me as you know, but as an educator I see this as an opening to a very broad door that can cause great detriment to our music education program," said Ensinger.

As a music educator she says she knows what is allowed and what it not. She says the rules are, if a piece of music has an educational value, it's permitted. So, she questions if the Lord's Prayer is not permitted, what other pieces would not be permitted?

"Mozart... his Requiem Mass, would no longer be allowed. Handel's Messiah would no longer be allowed. All of the music of the Medieval period would never be allowed," said Ensinger.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

Colo. School Censors Homosexual Speech—Media Fume

When public schools ban students from speaking of their Christian faith, the media cheer, but when Twin Peaks Charter Academy of the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado told valedictorian Evan Young that he couldn't speak at graduation of his Gay Pride while denouncing the homophobic school, per the overtly sexual text he submitted for pre-screening, the media pounced on the school and excoriated Principal BJ Bachmann for "outing" Young to his parents (who knew nothing of their son's "sexual orientation").

“First Amendment law in this area reflects common sense.  As the Supreme Court has noted . . . It is not a time for a student to use his commencement speech to push his personal agenda on a captive audience, and school officials are well within their rights to prevent that from happening.”
-- Barry Arrington, school attorney

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

School Forbids Cross Dressing at Prom — Media Fume

D.C. Principal Says He's Gay — Media Ecstatic

South Carolina Seminary Says Homosexuality Sinful — Media Outraged

Fewer Americans Claim Christian, Media Cheer: Poll

Media Admit Propaganda Overstating Gay Population

Also read Mrs. Obama Thanks Hollywood for Gay Indoctrination

-- From "School blocks 'coming out' speech from valedictorian" by The Associated Press 5/29/15

Eighteen-year-old Evan Young told the Daily Camera that he agreed to make some suggested changes to his speech but wouldn't remove the disclosure about his sexuality. Young says he wasn't notified until just a few minutes before the May 16 ceremony that he wouldn't be allowed to speak or be recognized as valedictorian.

A gay rights group, Out Boulder, has asked Young to deliver his speech during an event Sunday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "High School valedictorian denied speech rights after planning to come out as gay" Kevin Torres, KWGN-TV2 (Denver, CO) 5/29/15

The principal, BJ Bachmann, decided to call Evan’s dad and tell him about the speech. In doing so, Bachmann also told [him] his son was gay. Problem is, Rob and his wife Alise Curry had no clue.

Five minutes before he was supposed to give his valedictorian speech, Mr. Bachmann told Evan’s parents their son wouldn’t be talking. To make matters worse, Alise says the school never even acknowledged Evan as valedictorian.

The student with a 4.5 GPA who has a scholarship to Rutgers University had been silenced by a school board who didn’t feel his message was appropriate.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "The Controversial Reason a High School Canceled Its Valedictorian’s Speech" by Samantha Cowan, Takepart.com posted at Yahoo News 5/30/15

The talking point principal BJ Buchmann had a problem with was Young’s revelation that he is gay. Young planned to disclose his sexual orientation publicly for the first time during his speech.

Young sent a copy of his speech to the school administrators, who returned it to him with requested changes, most of which Young said he made. But when it came to omitting his sexual orientation, Young drew the line.

“I’d told him I’m not going to remove the part where I say I’m gay, because I am. It’s important to me,” said Young.

“My parents are very liberal. I think they were totally OK with it,” said Young.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Valedictorian Claims He Couldn’t Deliver Graduation Speech Because He’s Gay" posted at CBS4 - Denver 5/29/15

The principal cancelled Young’s speech minutes before graduation. The school released a statement which read, in part, “The initial draft of the student’s speech… was condescending toward the school and the student’s peers and included, among other things, ridiculing comments about faculty and students. The draft speech also included references to personal matters of a sexual nature.”

“We initially said to ourselves, ‘Well maybe this is not the forum’ but when we read the speech and the context of ‘I’m gay, I’m different, we’re all different, we should all accept each other’ that was the context,” said Evan’s mother Alise Corry.

The story has generated a controversy that has reached far beyond Colorado. Out Boulder, a gay advocacy organization, said it has received emails of support for Evan from around the country.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Longmont valedictorian silenced over speech disclosing he was gay" by Charlie Brennan, Staff Writer, Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) 5/28/15

"Mr. Buchmann called me and said, 'I've got Evan's speech here. There's two things in it that I don't think are appropriate,'" Don Young, [Evan's father,] an accountant, recalled. "One was he had mentioned another student's name. And then there was his coming out that he was gay."

That was the first time in Evan Young's life that his parents had been given a clue about his sexual identity.

"He's Evan, you know?" his father said. "He's never really expressed interest in either (boys or girls). He's just a teenager. ... But we had no indication beforehand."

Initially, Evan's parents were somewhat sympathetic to Buchmann's decision concerning the speech.

"His mother and I were not sure that his coming out in a valedictorian speech was the appropriate place to say it, with grandchildren and 3-year-olds in the audience, and that's kind of what we said to BJ," Don Young said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read how schools censor Christians:

California School Lawyers Strip Student's Jesus Speech

Texas School Cuts Mic on Christian Valedictorian Speech

Jesus, God Almighty Censored at Vermont Graduation

However  . . .

Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume

Democrat Missouri Gov. Signs Law Allowing Christian Speeches

Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations, Judge Rules

Atheists Can't Stop Prayer at Graduations: Judge

Just as U.S. District Court of South Carolina Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks ruled, much to the chagrin of the American Humanist Association (AHA), that Greenville County, South Carolina School District cannot muzzle students' prayers at commencement ceremonies, graduating senior Christian Crawford spontaneously led faculty, students and parents in prayer as a medical emergency was playing out in the midst of a graduation ceremony in Alabama.

"Everybody can I have your attention real quick? We don't know what's going on, but we will pray. We know that prayer is power, and that God is able. Let's pray. Father God, we thank you for this day, Lord. We pray right now that whatever is going on, you will fix it, God. We pray that you will heal it, God. We pray that you will redeem it, God. We pray that you will deliver it, God. Because we know that you are a God who knows how to make a way. And in the name of Jesus we declare and decree in the name of Jesus that whatever is going on shall be fixed, because you are a God who is a fixer. You are a God who is a healer. Jehovah God, Jehovah-jireh, Jehovah-nissi, Jehovah-shiloh. Fix it, Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen."
-- Christian Crawford, graduating senior of Clay-Chalkville High School, in Pinson, Alabama

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume

Prayer at Kentucky Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands

Texas School Cuts Mic on Christian Valedictorian Speech

Jesus, God Almighty Censored at Vermont Graduation

Indiana Graduate Praises God Despite Judge's Ruling

Federal Appeals Court Overrules Texas Judge: Christian Speech OK

Also read California School Lawyers Strip Student's Jesus Speech

In addition, read the long list of states enacting laws to bring religious liberty back to schools.

-- From "Federal judge: Student-led graduation prayers allowed, school prayers not" by Anna Lee, Greenville News 5/19/15

The [AHA] lawsuit claims the student’s parents are non-theists who felt “alienated and stigmatized” by the [Mountain View Elementary School in Taylors, SC] endorsement of Christianity during their daughter’s graduation held at the chapel of North Greenville University.

The suit alleges such “excessive entanglement with religion” is in violation of the First Amendment’s establishment clause and seeks a permanent injunction to enjoin prayer at any future school-sponsored event, including graduation ceremonies.

“Prohibiting such independent student speech would go beyond showing neutrality toward religion but instead demonstrate an impermissible hostility toward religion,” the school district said in court filings.

[Judge] Hendricks agreed to allow spontaneous prayer, calling it the “cultural residue” left over from the historical inclusion of religious speech at graduations.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "High school student offers prayer during medical emergency at graduation" by Savannah Williamson, WAAY-TV31 (Huntsville/Decatur, AL) 5/24/15

According to our news partners at ABC 33/40, Christian Crawford stepped up to the podium and asked people to pray with him about whatever situation was happening in the stands.

It was later found out that a young woman was suffering a seizure.

The video, courtesy of the Trussville Tribune, has gone viral. Crawford has been asked to present the opening prayer at the Alabama legislature next Wednesday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Clay-Chalkville graduate delivers prayer during medical emergency" by Edward Burch, ABC 33/40 5/23/15

On Thursday night at Cougar stadium,while school administrators and medical personnel were helping a young woman in the crowd suffering a seizure, Christian Crawford got a nudge from faculty member Shannon Petty.

"She asked me, 'could I pray?"

"A lot of times you may feel nervous as a principal when a student steps to the mic impromptu like that," said [Principal Michael] Lee. "But when I saw it was Christian, I knew there was nothing to be concerned about. If I had 1,400 Christian Crawford's walking the hall, this would be a better place."

The video has been shared over 15,000 times on Facebook and is reaching national news outlets. Crawford credits his family for instilling strength in faith and character. He is the senior class president and wants a career in politics.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Clay’s Christian Crawford talks graduation prayer" by Erik Harris, Trussville Tribune 5/22/15

“It only takes one person,” said Crawford. “One person stands up and says ‘okay, I’m going to stand for the word of God, regardless of what people say.’ It’s important that we stand on the word of God.”

After cheers fell from the grandstands, the senior class president took his seat with the belief that the moment had passed.

“After I finished praying, that was it, I knew God was going to do his job,” said Crawford. “We had 1,000 plus people there, so I know he heard our prayer, and I got an update on the (victim) and she’s doing fine.”

“I cannot take any credit for what God is doing through me for His glory,” said Crawford.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

In addition, read U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of public prayer, and read the resulting resurgence in public prayer following the Supreme Court decision.

Most Americans Support Prayer in School: Poll

According to a new Gallup poll, a solid 61% of Americans support daily, spoken prayer in public schools, and fully three-quarters of Americans support prayer at graduation ceremonies.  77% say they favor after-hours school usage for religious activities.

For background, read Public Prayer: Vast Majority of Americans Want it as well as Most States Tell Supreme Court: We Pray in Jesus' Name

Also read the long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back to schools in response to the myriad atheist lawsuits against Christians and prayer nationwide.

In addition, read U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of public prayer, and read the resulting resurgence in public prayer following the Supreme Court decision.

-- From "Poll: Public Broadly Supportive Of School Prayer" by Blake Neff, Daily Caller 9/25/14

. . . Those numbers have only dipped slightly since 1999, when 70 percent of adults supported school prayer, 83 percent supported religious components of graduations, and 78 percent wanted school facilities to be open to religious groups.

Unsurprisingly support varied based on respondents’ personal religious activities, though many of the non-religious favored allowing religious expression in school. For example, 89 percent of Protestant Christians supported allowing official prayers at graduation, but so did 44 percent of those with no religion and 35 percent of those with no religion supported daily classroom prayer.

Significant gaps existed not just between Christians and the non-religious, but also among different Christian groups, with Catholics much less likely to support religious expression in public schools. In fact, Catholics were less likely than the non-religious to support opening public school facilities to religious groups after school, with 66 percent backing such a policy compared to 69 percent of the non-religious.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "In U.S., Support for Daily Prayer in Schools Dips Slightly" by Rebecca Riffkin, Gallup 9/25/14

Republicans in the U.S. are significantly more religious than other Americans, so it follows that Republicans are considerably more likely to favor each proposal on religion in schools than are independents or, in particular, Democrats. A large majority of Republicans favor these proposals, with at least 80% supporting all three. Independents also support the various proposals on religion in schools, but to a lesser extent than Republicans do. A majority of Democrats do not support daily school prayers (45%), but a majority do support graduation prayers (65%) and using school facilities for student religious groups (76%).

The decline in Americans' overall support for daily prayer in school over time is driven, in part, by a dip in support among Democrats. In 2000, 67% of Democrats supported this idea. This dropped to 59% in 2001 and fell to 45% by 2014. Meanwhile, support among Republicans has stayed consistent, and independents' support increased slightly.

Religion continues to be important to many Americans. The vast majority of Americans identify with a religion, a majority of Americans say religion can solve today's problems, and three in four Americans see the Bible as the actual or inspired word of God.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

While schools ban prayer and even ban Christians, click headlines below to read the Christian response:

Thousands of Citizens vs. Atheists: Prayer at Florida Football

Tennessee Cheerleaders Defy Atheist-forced Prayer Ban

North Carolinians Pray at School, Defying Wisconsin Atheists

Georgia Citizens & School Team Up vs. Anti-Prayer Atheists

Calif. School Lawyers Strip Student's Jesus Speech

When the Brawley (California) Union High School was challenged by attorneys representing class salutatorian Brooks Hamby for their action of forbidding him to deliver any graduation speech containing the words "God" or "Jesus," lawyers representing the school issued a 10-page certified letter stating that such words spoken publicly violate the First Amendment, and thus the school was obligated to censor his First Amendment free speech rights.

“Censorship of the speech was necessary to avoid an Establishment Clause violation. . . . Mr. Hamby’s salutatorian speech was a sectarian invocation, which is not legally permitted in California or the Ninth Circuit.”
-- Brawley Union High School District, via the San Diego law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud and Romo

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume

Prayer at Kentucky Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands

Texas School Cuts Mic on Christian Valedictorian Speech

Jesus, God Almighty Censored at Vermont Graduation

Indiana Graduate Praises God Despite Judge's Ruling

Federal Appeals Court Overrules Texas Judge: Christian Speech OK

Also read the long list of states enacting laws to bring religious liberty back to schools.



-- From "Brooks Hamby’s salutatorian address gains wider audience than intended Brawley Union High School community" by Karina Lopez, Staff Writer, Imperial Valley Press (El Centro, CA) 6/17/14

When Brooks Hamby delivered his salutatorian address at Brawley Union High School’s graduation ceremony on Thursday, his intention was to share a few encouraging thoughts and words from the "the biggest, bestselling book of all-time in history" with his fellow graduates.

Yet in quoting the "bestseller" the 18-year-old used the names "God" and "Jesus," which were deemed “unconstitutional” by the school’s administration, he explained.

Hamby said he was asked to omit references to "God" and "Jesus" in his rewrites, and rather than become upset or frustrated the Stanford-bound student said he tried his best to work with the administration's requests while remaining true to himself.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Liberty Institute: Brawley Union High School Censors Salutatorian, Violates Constitution" by PRNewswire-USNewswire, posted at CNBC-TV25 6/19/14

On Wednesday, Liberty Institute sent a demand letter to Brawley Union High School District officials on behalf of its client, salutatorian Brooks Hamby, whose written speech school officials repeatedly rejected claiming, "reference to religious content is inappropriate and…will not be allowed." Although Hamby eventually delivered a fourth version of his speech at his graduation ceremony, for school officials to censor three different versions of his speech – and then threaten to turn off his microphone – just because he wanted to reference his faith is a serious First Amendment violation.

After school officials rejected two drafts of Hamby's graduation speech for what they considered unconstitutional and inappropriate religious references, Hamby received his third draft with all references to God, faith, and the Bible blacked out. Despite three rejections and the threat to have his microphone turned off, Hamby presented a fourth version of his speech at the graduation ceremony. Hamby's speech contained nothing that could be considered obscene or proselytizing, but instead reflected his personal story of inspiration and faith as an integral part of his life.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Brooks Hamby gives his thoughts on his speech heard around the U.S." by Lloyd Miller, The Desert Review (Brawley, CA) 6/16/14

When asked if the speech he gave was ad-libbed, Hamby was quick to say no. He wanted to do everything by the book.

“The speech I gave was my fourth draft,” said Hamby, “which was a variation of my first 3 drafts. On Wednesday morning I had my first draft denied by the counselor. Thursday morning my second draft was denied by the counselor and the principal. Thursday afternoon my third draft was denied by the counselor, the principal, and the superintendent. They sent me back a version of my third draft with any word or reference to God or religion blacked out. They said this would be approved. I sent the fourth draft to the counselor, the principal, and the superintendent at 5:09 p.m. on Thursday. The ceremony was at 8:00 p.m. I did not get a response on my final draft electronically and they didn’t speak to me before the speech. They never said a thing.”

After he finished [delivering his speech], the audience of several hundred comprised of his fellow students, family members, and staff responded with thundering applause.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "School: We have a right to ban God" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 7/11/14

The school district, in the certified letter its attorneys sent to Liberty Institute, says . . . There will be no apology.

[Hamby] was supposed to stand in front of his graduating class as a “representative example of the success of the school’s own educational mission,” the attorneys wrote, referencing a previous court case.

Are they trying to tell us the reason the district took offense was because Brooks Hamby thanks God for his success instead of the school district?

[Attorney Jeremy Dys of Liberty Institute] said if the school district is hankering for a legal fight – “we may be willing to oblige them.”

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

From "Brooks Hamby looks to the future" by Lloyd Miller, The Desert Review (Brawley, CA) 7/11/14

The school was asked to have a meeting with Hamby and his attorney. They requested that the school give a public apology that stated religious discrimination will not happen in the future.

The school responded by denying the request to meet with Hamby and have hired attorneys to fight him.

“It’s shocking that the administration would want to spend that much money in potential litigation,” said Dys.  “This could cost taxpayers up to a seven figure sum. We have no problem doing that if that’s what they want to do. It would be best if they would come out and apologize to Brooks for censoring his First Amendment rights. The real winner here so far is the law firm out of San Diego. They are walking away with a lot of money. Brooks, in the meantime, is suffering with this black cloud over his graduation. This all goes to show what the school feels about the First Amendment.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Atheists, Liberals Lament Recent Supreme Court Religious Liberty Rulings

Humanists Threaten to Sue Illinois School - Prayer

Atheists are giving the rural high school in the southern Illinois community of Norris City just two weeks to ditch prayer at commencement -- where less than a hundred students graduate annually -- or face a legal challenge seeking at least an injunction and a monetary settlement.

For background, read the long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back to schools.

Also read Humanists Threaten Missouri School over Prayer

In addition, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians


-- From "Group threatens lawsuit over southern Illinois high school's graduation prayer" by The Associated Press 1/25/14

[The American Humanist Association (AHA)] insists that by including prayers during the high school's graduation ceremony, the district unconstitutionally coerces students to participate in a religious activity.

The high school's principal, Matt Vollmann, says the student-led prayer long has been part of the ceremony, and that he's never fielded any local complaint.

Vollmann says the district is probing the validity of the aggrieved group's claims.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Group threatens to sue over prayer" by Becky Malkovich, The Southern Illinoisan 1/24/14

Norris City-Omaha-Enfield High School [NCOEHS] administrators received letters via email from the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center on Wednesday demanding that they end the tradition — or end up in court.

. . . the organization is acting on behalf of several NCOE students who raised concerns about prayer during the ceremony.

The students declined to be identified.

The humanist organization is asking the school for a response within two weeks of receipt of the letter.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "NCOE receives letter to stop prayers at graduation" by Tammy Knox, The Carmi (Illinois) Times 1/25/14

Formed in 1941, the AHA is located in Washington, D.C. According to their Website, the AHA "strives to bring about a progressive society where being good without a god is an accepted and respected way to live life." The definition of a "Humanist" on their Website is explained as, "being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead."

The organization has more than 20,000 members with more than 160 local chapter groups across the United States. In the immediate area, there are chapters in Carbondale and Marion. The Carbondale chapter serves as the Humanist Round Table of Southern Illinois, Unitarian Fellowship, while the chapter in Marion is the Inmate Humanist Association. There is also a chapter in Jasper, Ind.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read how humanists are NOT without their own "religion" -- that's the indoctrination they want in public schools.

Virginia Lawmakers Counter Atheists: School Prayer

The Virginia Senate has passed a religious freedom bill to allow voluntary spoken prayers at school events and other expressions of faith in response to threats of financial ruin to local schools by atheist lawyers. The bill is expected to pass the Republican-held lower house, but it's yet to be known if newly elected Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) will sign it into law.

For background, read the long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back to schools.

Also read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians

In addition, read Taxpayers Want Prayer Back at Arizona School Board Meetings

UPDATE 2/20/14: Newly elected Democrat Gov. McAuliffe to veto prayer bill (video:)


-- From "State Senate passes controversial school religious freedom bill" by Chris Graham, Augusta Free Press (Waynesboro, VA) 1/21/14

Sen. Bill Carrico’s SB 236 is written to allow student prayer and permit the formation of religious clubs. It would also require forums for faith speech at school events, and specifies that students can wear clothes or jewelry with spiritual iconography or messages.

Carrico said the bill provides legal cover to schools and protects the constitutional right of “each and every student to express their beliefs according to the dictates of their conscience” without giving “preferential treatment” to any one religion.

Democratic senators argued that the bill is unconstitutional and potentially coercive.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Senate passes school prayer bill" by Chelyen Davis, The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, VA) 1/21/14

[Sen.] Carrico called it an “anti-discrimination” bill, saying it would put religious expression on an equal footing with secular expression.

The bill also said schools must adopt policies that would let student speakers pray or express religious viewpoints at any event — like graduation or a ball game — where students are allowed to speak.

Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, said the bill’s practical effect will be to protect Christianity at the expense of other religions.

Sen. Tom Garrett, R-Louisa, said the bill is needed because students now are being discouraged from religious speech in school.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Va. Senate passes school prayer bill" by Michael Sluss, Roanoke Times 1/21/14

The Senate’s 20-18 vote was a victory for Republican Sen. Bill Carrico, R-Grayson County, one of the General Assembly’s most persistent advocates for allowing prayer and religious expression in public settings. The final vote broke largely along party lines. Just one Democrat, Sen. Phillip Puckett of Russell County, supported the bill. Sen. John Watkins of Powhatan was the only Republican to oppose it.

“When they’re doing assignments, when they work so hard to become valedictorian of their class, they shouldn’t be censored by the school system as to how they express themselves when they speak,” Carrico said. “This bill is nothing more than the protection of the students, while they’re at school, to able to do those things.”

Carrico’s bill (SB 236) now goes to the Republican-dominated House of Delegates, where he expects it to get a friendly reception.

“Now we’ll see how the governor reacts to it,” Carrico said after today’s floor vote.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read School Prayer Clubs Spawned by Duck Dynasty

SC School Ensures Prayer Freedom Despite Lawsuit

In response to a lawsuit last year by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation representing a single atheist opposing a student who volunteered a prayer at the Irmo High School graduation ceremony, the South Carolina Lexington-Richland (counties) School District has approved a new graduation prayer policy.

For background, read Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume and also read ACLU Bullies Michigan School into Ban on Student Prayer as well as Texas Law Tells Schools to Ignore Atheist Threats



-- From "Lexington-Richland 5 revamps graduation prayer guidelines" by Tim Flach, The State (Columbia, SC) 7/15/13

School Board members gave initial approval to a plan for student-led messages at graduation and athletics games that could be a prayer, pep talk, moment of silence or commentary.

The only restriction is that remarks cannot be obscene or profane.

The new approach is “the very best way we could keep prayer” possible at those events, school spokesman Mark Bounds told the board.

Graduation invocations at Chapin, Dutch Fork and Irmo high schools are in limbo since a legal effort began last year to stop the practice.

The change by school leaders was developed with advice from the Liberty Institute, a Dallas-based think tank that specializes in supporting student prayer.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Lexington-Richland 5 Changing Graduation Prayer Policy" by Tiffany Barkley (Editor), Irmo-SevenOaks Patch 7/16/13

The previous version of the policy allowed for benedictions or invocations at a graduation if the majority of the senior class voted in favor of it, according to board documents.

The district's policy is under legal attack after Matthew "Max" Nielson, a May 2012 Irmo High School graduate, sued the district, along with the Freedom from Religion Foundation, over a prayer spoken during graduation that year.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "New Prayer Policy Approved by SC School District, Giving Students Control of Decision Whether to Pray at Events" By Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter 7/17/13

This new proposal differs from the school's previous policy that allowed students to decide on whether to have a prayer at school functions based on a majority vote on behalf of the graduating class, with counsel from the school principal.

The new policy puts the decision of saying a prayer firmly in the hands of the student speaking at the event, and looks to ensure that the school remains uninvolved with religious expression on campus.

Robert Gantt, chairman of School District 5, previously confirmed that the board was seeking to avoid going to court with the FFRF in the fall by amending its prayer policy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Student suing school district over pre-graduation prayer" by Meaghan Norman, WIS-TV10 (Columbia, SC) 5/30/12

For a few minutes before the graduates got their diplomas, the commencement prayer was read by a fellow student.

[Max] Nielson voted against the prayer when graduating seniors were given ballots earlier in the school year, but says he did not raise his concerns with district leaders earlier because he didn't know until recently that he could take legal action.

Nielson is an Atheist but says his lawsuit against the school district has nothing to do with religion.

"This is about a policy it's not about a prayer or a religion, it's about a policy that allows for the violation of student rights," Nielson said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Atheists: Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians as well as Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi

Because of the intimidation tactics of atheist lawyer organizations, state governments across America are educating its citizens on constitutional religious liberty by passing laws in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.

To understand why such laws ensuring religious liberty are necessary, read Humanists Threaten Missouri School over Prayer and also about myriad attacks on Christians via public schools (see article list at bottom).

School Cuts Mic on Christian Valedictorian Speech

Joshua (Texas) High School administrators warned valedictorian Remington Reimer that if he strayed from the school-authorized content of his graduation speech his microphone would be turned off, and after numerous references to his faith in Jesus Christ, indeed the school silenced him.

Censored portion of Reimer's speech (posted on Facebook by his sister):

“We are all fortunate to live in a country where we can express our beliefs. Where our mikes won’t be turned off, as I have been threatened to be if I veer away from the school-censored speech I have just finished. Just as Jesus spoke out against the authority of the Pharisees and Saducees, Who tried to silence Him, I will not have my freedom of speech taken away from me. And I urge you all to do the same. Do not let anyone take away your religious or Constitutional rights away from you. This will be the first and last time many of you will hear me speak. I wish you all the best and let’s get this race going!”

For background, read Lord's Prayer at South Carolina Graduation, Atheists Fume and also read Prayer at Kentucky Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands but elsewhere Atheists Threaten Arkansas School, so Graduation is Cancelled

UPDATE 6/20/13: Principal threatens to ruin Reimer's Navy appointment, but later apologies



-- From "JHS valedictorian's speech was silenced" by Jim Gibbs, Joshua Star 6/7/13

. . . Reimer discussed his faith and thanked God for "sending His only son to die for me and the rest of the world."

Reimer, who has secured an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, talked about free speech and the U.S. Constitution and how that "yesterday, I was threatened with having the mic turned off and..."

And then the mic was turned off.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



From "Joshua valedictorian talks about Jesus, has mic turned off" by Jessamy Brown, Fort Worth Star Telegram 6/8/13

Reimer finished his speech without the microphone . . . but graduates sitting near the stage could still hear him. Those teens led the audience in a standing ovation of Reimer, [said Serena Bair of Cleburne, a parent in the audience].

Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for the Liberty Institute in Plano, said the district’s actions violated its own policy, the First Amendment and state law.

In 2007, Texas legislators passed the Religious Viewpoints Anti-discrimination Act, known as the RVAA, which requires districts to adopt a policy to create a limited public forum for student speakers at school events.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Joshua valedictorian cut off during speech" by Amber Washington, Cleburne Times-Review 6/7/13

Area residents are concerned that Joshua ISD valedictorian Remington Reimer was cut off during his speech at Thursday night’s graduation because he mentioned God.

Superintendent Fran Marek said that is not the case.

Marek said the top three graduates must turn in speeches and have them approved by administration before graduation. Marek said the speeches were approved beforehand, but Reimer was cut off after he completed the approved version of his speech because he deviated from the topic.

Marek said the microphone was cut off during Reimer’s speech because the administration was not sure what he was going to say.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism

Lord's Prayer at S.Car. Graduation, Atheists Fume

After the Pickens County (South Carolina) School Board voted against prayer at school events and meetings, all in response to a barrage of threats from out-of-town atheists, Liberty High School Valedictorian Roy Costner IV veered off his "approved speech" at the graduation ceremony and prayed -- much to the approval of those in attendance.

For background at Pickens County, read School Bans Jesus from Prayers: Atheists Threaten

Also read Prayer at Kentucky Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands

However, Atheists Threaten Arkansas School, so Graduation is Cancelled

-- From "Valedictorian surprises graduation crowd, draws cheers" posted at KCRA-TV3 (NBC in Sacramento, CA) 6/5/13

John Eby, Pickens County School District spokesman, said, "They write their speeches. They send them to someone on staff to have them approved."

After speaking for a few minutes, he thanked his parents for leading him to the Lord at a young age, and then he said, "I think most of you will understand when I say, 'Our Father, who art in heaven…" as he began to recite the Lord's Prayer.

Costner finished, pointing his finger in the air for emphasis, saying, "For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen," followed by more cheers and applause.

Eby said, "From the ACLU sending FOIA requests to every district in the state this year after the Chesterfield County case, then the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent us a complaint about religion at board meetings and some other issues as well. That is why the reaction to the prayer at graduation was loud."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Valedictorian Rips Up Approved Speech on Stage, Recites Lord’s Prayer at Graduation" by Heather Clark, Christian News Network 6/4/13

“I think it took a lot of courage to do that,” attendee Logan Gibson told reporters. “People were [supportive] that he stood up for what he believed in.”

[John] Eby said that the district will not be taking any action against Costner.

“The bottom line is, we’re not going to punish students for expressing their religious faiths,” he stated. “He’s a graduate now. There’s nothing we can do about it, even if we wanted to.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.

To understand why these laws are necessary, read Humanists Threaten Missouri School over Prayer and also read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi and read about myriad attacks on Christians via public schools (see article list at bottom).

Prayer at KY Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands

There has always been student-led prayer during the graduation ceremony at Lincoln County High School in Stanford, KY, but this year Principal Tim Godbey said prayer time must be eliminated from the agenda because a few students complained.  However, Jonathan Hardwick, the Class of 2013 president, vowed to include a prayer in his speech, and when he did, it was met with applause and a standing ovation from virtually everyone in attendance.

“Thank you for helping us get here safely today, Lord, and thank you for the many blessings you have given us.”
-- Jonathan Hardwick, graduate

For background, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi

Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.


-- From "Despite objections, prayer goes on at Lincoln graduation" by Stephanie Mojica, The Advocate-Messenger (Danville, KY) 5/25/13

In an interview with The Advocate-Messenger earlier this month, Principal Tim Godbey acknowledged that six students — including at least one atheist — had pleaded with him not to allow student-led prayer to be a part of the school’s graduation ceremony. Godbey, a self-professed Christian who says he prays for each of his students daily, said under separation of church and state laws, faculty members have never been able to pray publicly on school grounds or during school-sponsored functions. However, he noted that the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit students from doing so as long as they are not otherwise disruptive.

Some local residents with signs demonstrated outside the school in favor of prayer and Kentucky State Police troopers were patrolling in several areas of the school grounds, according to Danville resident and activist Ricky Smith, an atheist, who attended the ceremony Friday at the request of several concerned parents and students.

Smith intends to notify the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation about Lincoln’s public prayer, which he feels violated the civil rights of students who are not Christians. Smith - a former Christian - pointed out that some students represent a variety of faiths or lack thereof, including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, paganism, atheism and agnosticism.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Lincoln County High School grapples with prayer at graduation" by Ben Kleppinger, The Interior Journal (Lincoln County, KY) 5/9/13

. . . the high school's senior class president is worried the meaningfulness of the day could be lost in the fray, and the principal is combatting what he calls "incorrect, and frankly, inappropriate information" regarding whether prayer is allowed in school.

In years past, the graduating class has been allowed to plan for a student-led prayer during the ceremony, as long as there was a unanimous vote by graduating students that they wanted the prayer, Godbey explained Friday.

“It’s just something the students did in the midst of graduation and we allowed it,” he said. “Now that we kind of have this opposition, we don’t feel like we can do that.”

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that public schools cannot sponsor prayer at graduation ceremonies because it is a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…"

However, while schools cannot sponsor prayer, students still have constitutionally-protected rights to express themselves.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism

Atheists Threaten AR School, Graduation Cancelled

After the Riverside School District in Lake City, Arkansas received a letter from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (responding to a complaint from a single parent over prayers at previous graduation ceremonies), the school board decided to cancel this year's ceremony.  Instead, parents organized a graduation ceremony independent of the school at a local church, where everyone was invited.

For background, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi

Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.

-- From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation After Complaint Over Prayer Planned For Ceremony" by Meredith Bennett-Smith, The Huffington Post 5/9/13

Controversy over whether or not prayer would be a part of an Arkansas elementary school's graduation may have led school officials to simply cancel the district's sixth-grade ceremonies altogether.

The controversy began on April 15, when the district received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), notifying officials that a parent had complained about prayer at the graduation.

Tommy Knight, the superintendent of the Riverside School District . . . emailed [this] statement to HuffPost . . .

For several years district personnel had been discussing whether to continue sponsoring 6th grade graduation. At the May 6, 2013 meeting, the Riverside School Board approved the motion for the District to no longer sponsor 6th grade graduation.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "School Cancels Graduation Over Prayer Controversy" by Todd Starnes, Foxnews.com 5/8/13

The Freedom From Religion Foundation said they were acting on behalf of an unidentified, “concerned parent.”

Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United [for Separation of Church and State], told Fox News the school district’s response was foolish.

“When a school system is told not to include one item and then they get angry and frustrated and stop the entire rest of the ceremony – that is a foolish, ridiculous response,” Lynn said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Grade school graduation canceled following prayer controversy" by Veronica Smith, Video Journalist, KAIT-TV8 (Jonesboro, AR) 5/7/13

Sixth grade parent Kelly Adams said saying a prayer at graduation has never been an issue before which is why a lot of parents are very upset.

"As Christians and a mainly Christian town I think, there were a lot of people hurt that our rights were taken away," Adams said.

"A lot of the parents, the Christian parents decided to get together and do it at the church," she said.

"We are including everyone, everyone is invited, we want everyone to come and be a part of it," she said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation Rather Than Allow Prayer" by Bethany Blankley, Christian Post Contributor 5/11/13

On the Alice Stewart Show, 96.5 FM, the local Fox News Radio station, the Rev. Arthur Hunt Jr. of Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith argued that, "God is in school forever. Our Constitution allows us to see our purpose in this nation of being under God," referring to the Pledge of Allegiance, in which students state, "one nation under God."

"God is everywhere, from home, to school, to community," Hunt said. "God is in too many bus drivers, He's in too many teachers, too many janitors, principles, athletes, songs, plays, He's in too many civic and history books, where the president and governor refer to God.

"Do we want to wait for another bomb or a mass shooting before the assembly and prays again?"

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism

Illegal Christianity 'Rampant' in Georgia Schools

For months, local media in Macon, Georgia have reported atheist propaganda alleging illegal activities at Houston County Schools such as prayer and "close and troubling relationships" with churches. The media sources fail to present Supreme Court decisions of First Amendment rights of Christians to express their faith at school; rather, the media solely quote atheists and biased liberal legal "experts."

For background, read Prayer in America: Hidden Faith, or Public?

-- From "Critic Says Illegal Prayer is 'Rampant' in Houston Schools" by Bernard O'Donnell, WMAZ-TV13 (Macon, GA) 7/13/12

Last month, the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a complaint with the Houston schools against prayers at its 2012 graduations.

Federal courts have ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment.

This week, the group wrote a followup letter to William Jerles, the district's lawyer describing what they call "rampant and egregious violations."

They say, in the past month, eight Houston County families came forward, each one describing "multiple violations."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "More complaints surface over religion in Houston schools" by Caryn Grant, Macon Telegraph 7/13/12

Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national organization working to protect the separation of church and state . . . [latest] letter points to religious imagery displayed at schools; instances of schools partnering with churches; school alma maters or mottos, summer reading recommendations and academic bowl questions “inculcating students with ideas about Jesus and God;” and prayers at various school events -- some led by school employees.

School spokeswoman Beth McLaughlin said the district’s June statement that it is the system’s “intent to comply with the prevailing law in these matters” still stands.

She added the district has received numerous e-mails and phone calls of support since the initial [FFRF] letter.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Content, context determine if Houston schools violated religion clause in Constitution" by Caryn Grant, Macon Telegraph 6/17/12

The letters from the Freedom From Religion Foundation state it is unlawful for school-sponsored events to include prayer or for public schools to endorse Christianity by way of worship songs at such events.

All six of Houston County’s graduations included student-led prayers referencing God, Christ or the Lord, videos of the ceremonies show.

Monroe County Superintendent Anthony Pack said there was a short student-led prayer during this year’s Mary Persons High School graduation. The district hasn’t heard any community reaction to the prayer, he said.

. . . Bibb County’s district rules specifically address the topic of school prayer and use of religious material. . . . “This policy does not prohibit students from voluntarily praying at any time before, during or after school, as long as it is not disruptive. District employees may not influence the form or content of prayer or other religious activity.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.