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No Prayer in School? Millions of Students Will Pray at "See You At The Pole" Gatherings
Liberty Counsel ^

Posted on 09/25/2006 9:48:53 PM PDT by Coleus

No Prayer in School? Millions of Students
Will Pray at "See You At The Pole" Gatherings

ORLANDO, FL - Wednesday, September 27, is the official day for the 17th annual "See You At The Pole" prayer rallies. The rallies are student-initiated, student-led events where students gather before school to pray for their classmates, teachers, schools, families, communities, states and nations. Each year approximately three million students from all fifty states and more than twenty countries gathered around school flagpoles to pray. Students in the United States have often met with resistance from school officials who are not educated about constitutional rights. Liberty Counsel has defended the right of students to participate in SYATP events in the past and is available to assist students who encounter problems with school officials regarding SYATP events.

This week is also the ninth annual "Scriptures in Schools Week" (SIS), a week when students bring their Bibles to share and to encourage Bible reading during free time at school throughout the year.

School officials across the country should be aware that students have a constitutional right to participate in SYATP and SIS on public school campuses and may not discourage these events. The United States Department of Education's "Guidelines on Religious Expression in Public Schools" recognize that students have the right to participate in SYATP as a protected act of religious expression.

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, commented, "It is beyond question that public school students have a First Amendment right to participate in 'See You At The Pole'. The Supreme Court has unequivocally stated that students have a First Amendment right to pray before, during or after the school day." Staver concluded, "School officials have an affirmative duty to educate themselves regarding the First Amendment rights of students, rather than acting out of bigotry, religious bias or ignorance of the law. If students encounter resistance from school officials about 'See You At The Pole', they should contact Liberty Counsel immediately."



TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: flagpole; libertycounsel; prayer; prayerinschool; publicschools; schoolprayer; students; syatp
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1 posted on 09/25/2006 9:48:53 PM PDT by Coleus
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To: 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...


2 posted on 09/25/2006 9:49:49 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, geese, algae)
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To: Coleus

The ACLU is deeply saddened.


3 posted on 09/25/2006 9:54:42 PM PDT by frankiep (I respect Islamofacists more than the American left - at least they ADMIT that they hate the US.)
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To: Coleus

"You're 3 days late George, you know what that means?!"

Dad, I converted, I'm Latvian Orthodox now, they celebrate later!"

4 posted on 09/25/2006 9:59:46 PM PDT by JerseyHighlander
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To: Coleus

I remember these, and I was in high school just under 5 years ago.

you see, old people? There's plenty of kids out there with their heads screwed on straight! =P


5 posted on 09/25/2006 10:00:13 PM PDT by Zeppelin (You've been Zarqed !)
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To: JerseyHighlander

that's the Festivus pole, a different episode than George's conversion.

but funny too. I like the pole reference! =)


6 posted on 09/25/2006 10:01:19 PM PDT by Zeppelin (You've been Zarqed !)
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To: Coleus; Salem

BTTT


7 posted on 09/25/2006 10:03:58 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: Coleus

bttt


8 posted on 09/25/2006 10:05:11 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: Coleus
See you at the "pole" and hopefully a movement to see you at the "poll" are truly intertwined. It is important to evaluate political candidates regarding their position regarding the right to prayer in schools and public places.

Indoctrination (or "education") concerning other "religions" while forbidding any mention of Christianity or prayers thereof is devious in its nature. Some of our nation's youth could stand to learn a few "Thou Shalt Not's."

Courts driving religion out of public life

Snip: Majorities of Republicans (89 percent), Democrats (73 percent) and independents (69 percent) think the courts have gone too far in taking religion out of public life.

Overall, most Americans disagree with several Supreme Court rulings on the separation of church and state. For example, an overwhelming 87 percent favor allowing public schools to set aside time for a moment of silence, and 82 percent favor allowing voluntary prayer. Another 82 percent favor allowing public schools to have a prayer at graduation ceremonies, and 83 percent think nativity scenes should be allowed on public property.

Not only do three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) think posting the Ten Commandments on government property should be legal, but also two-thirds (66 percent) say it is a good idea to post the commandments in public schools.

9 posted on 09/25/2006 10:07:48 PM PDT by MamaDearest
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To: MamaDearest

If we really want students to pray, we should give more pop quizes.
:)


10 posted on 09/25/2006 10:10:38 PM PDT by Hong Kong Expat
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To: Zeppelin

There currently are no laws whatsoever banning or restricting prayer in schools. Courts decided only that teachers and school officials cannot lead students in prayer, which makes perfect sense. I mean, how would you feel if your children's Scientologist teachers led their students in prayer to L. Ron Hubbard?

Unless we're going to legally establish a national religion, it's best not having government employees doing religious education, right? If public school teachers had the right to teach their students religion, you would have no control over what sort of religion is being taught, and there's an awful lot of crazies out there..

But I don't think anyone is trying to stop children from exercizing their freedom of religion. It's government workers who waive this right as terms of their employment.


11 posted on 09/25/2006 10:13:33 PM PDT by jqam
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To: jqam
I mean, how would you feel if your children's Scientologist teachers led their students in prayer to L. Ron Hubbard?

I'd be a little creeped out, seeing as I dont have children. =P

but seriously, I totally agree with your statements. Religion and (public) education are separate but not exclusive. Same with religion and politics; separate but not exclusive.

That's what the liberals cannot acknowledge.

12 posted on 09/25/2006 10:23:50 PM PDT by Zeppelin (You've been Zarqed !)
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To: Coleus

bump


13 posted on 09/26/2006 8:45:35 AM PDT by gobucks (Blissful Marriage: A result of a worldly husband's transformation into the Word's wife.)
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To: MamaDearest; Coleus; NYer; Bahbah; trussell; tutstar; cgk; The Mayor; ALOHA RONNIE; EdReform; ...
GO PRAY AT A SCHOOL FLAGPOLE WEDNESDAY!

Wednesday, September 27, is the official day for the 17th annual "See You At The Pole" prayer rallies. The rallies are student-initiated, student-led events where students gather before school to pray for their classmates, teachers, schools, families, communities, states and nations. Each year approximately three million students from all fifty states and more than twenty countries gathered around school flagpoles to pray.

Snip: Majorities of Republicans (89 percent), Democrats (73 percent) and independents (69 percent) think the courts have gone too far in taking religion out of public life.

Overall, most Americans disagree with several Supreme Court rulings on the separation of church and state. For example, an overwhelming 87 percent favor allowing public schools to set aside time for a moment of silence, and 82 percent favor allowing voluntary prayer. Another 82 percent favor allowing public schools to have a prayer at graduation ceremonies, and 83 percent think nativity scenes should be allowed on public property.

Not only do three-quarters of Americans (76 percent) think posting the Ten Commandments on government property should be legal, but also two-thirds (66 percent) say it is a good idea to post the commandments in public schools.

14 posted on 09/26/2006 4:15:19 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: backhoe; Salem; Jay777; ALOHA RONNIE; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; OldFriend; CyberAnt; Hi Heels

bump!


15 posted on 09/26/2006 4:26:59 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance

Thanks for the ping!


16 posted on 09/26/2006 9:32:17 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: The Spirit Of Allegiance
Lord, bless with boldness and humility our children as they gather "at the pole" this day to honor You and to acknowledge publicly Your Great Name. May Your Kingdom and Glory increase this day through these Your witnesses, because Jesus Lives! May they be strengthened and encouraged in their faith and in their congregation! Protect them from the evil one in Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of the Lambs, amen.
17 posted on 09/27/2006 2:03:22 AM PDT by .30Carbine (Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever, Ps. 125.)
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