Indiana School Not Canceling Graduation Prayer Without Judge Order

Associated Post through Fox News ^ | 04/02/2010 | Staff

[Outlaw Woman]

A central Indiana district isn't calling off a planned high school graduation prayer unless a federal judge orders it. GREENWOOD, Ind. -- A central Indiana district isn't calling off a planned high school graduation prayer unless a federal judge orders it. Greenwood School Board president Joe Farley says the district wants the judge to decide the merits of a lawsuit filed by the school's top-ranked senior. Greenwood High School student Eric Workman is asking a federal judge to stop a student-led prayer that the senior class voted to approve. The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on the 18-year-old's behalf claims that the prayer and class vote unconstitutionally subject students to religious practice. The school district has until April 16 to respond to the lawsuit, and a court hearing is scheduled for April 30. The district's attorneys didn't immediately return telephone messages seeking comment Friday.

[Da Coyote]

Given the quality and lack of integrity of our federal judges, even if he/she/it banned the prayer, it’s time we started replying, “Shove it up your Obama.”

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Mr. Workman needs to get a temporary restraining order, citing the distinct possibility of irreparable harm, should he be exposed to prayer.

[Outlaw Woman]

Absolutely.

[jesseam]

Agree whole heartedly.

[newfreep]

Amendent 1A - Freedom of religion (not FROM RELIGION)
Amendent 1B - Freedom of speech
Amendment 2 - Freedom to carry a gun to insure 1A & 1B remain intact.

[Jack Hydrazine]

If the order to shut them up does come down, what would the Feds do (local police do) if most of the graduating students (and even spectators) decide to say it out loud in unison?

[Pollster1]

If the order to shut them up does come down, what would the Feds do (local police do) if most of the graduating students (and even spectators) decide to say it out loud in unison?

Most police I know would join in for the prayer. As for this tool of the ACLU, I hope he can handle being shunned.

[Outlaw Woman]

did you forget the /s?

[Jack Hydrazine]

But then you have the cops who will blindly follow orders and start arresting and tasing people. Maybe throw in a K9 unit or two to get the jaws of justice to take a bite out of crime. More people would resist, riot breaks out, riot police called, and on and on.

[Notwithstanding]

If this student does file for such an order, someone needs to submit to the court the scientific studies that indicate prayer helps those who are sick.

[Outlaw Woman]

I don't know what would happen but that is exactly what we must start doing. It's time to start asserting, more firmly, our Constitutional rights

[pnh102]

Funny. So if a federal judge issues a restraining order then how could local police be expected to enforce it? After all, isn’t this one of those “federal issues” that we continue to be told that only the federal government can enforce?

[pnh102]

Maybe another response to this would be for parents to organize private graduation ceremonies. The official one at the school isn’t necessarily a required event.

[GraceG]

If the Judge does go against them then maybe the parents should break out into the Father’s Prayer at the Graduation at a pre-set time. Good luck trying to get an injuction against that.

[magslinger]

Go to the judges court. Pray for him

Rinse and repeat.

[Outlaw Woman]

I can see those headlines now... LOCAL POLICE STAND BY WHILE FBI, CIA, ATF, IRS, & SS STORM HIGH SCHOOL PROM FOR VIOLATION OF FEDERAL ORDER

[Grn_Lantern]

Not totally sure. There is no cause of action against a private individual for a violation of constitutional rights (in other words, I, private citizen, cannot violate your constitutional rights, and you therefore can't sue me for that). Might be a suit against the district for something like not doing more to stop it, but I can't think of a way that could be proven off hand...

[C210N]

the 18-year-old's ... claims that the prayer and class vote unconstitutionally subject students to religious practice...

Which part of "abridging the freedom of speech..." in the constitution, or "with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence" in the declaration will they hang their argument on?

[Outlaw Woman]

Interesting thought.