[First Amendment]

I wonder how many of the cadets at VMI are sorry about this worse than stupid ruling? Attendance at VMI is voluntary; once there, the prayer has been a tradition for generations and I'm sure is accepted by 99% of everyone without question. Which has been more detrimental for people - lack of prayer or too much prayer?

[Mo1]

In an important victory for First Amendment groups, a federal appeals court ruled Monday that the traditional prayers said before evening meals at the Virginia Military Institute (search) are unconstitutional.

OK .. how is being forced not to speek a victory for the 1st amendment?

[DoughtyOne]

What I find interesting is that this is hailed as a first ammendment victory. Barbara Streisand, it is. It muzzles any right of the religous to practice their free speach in public. Part of that right is to be led in prayer.

Thank God our founding fathers are resting in peace. Otherwise they'd be mounting up and reconquering this land in the name of the same values that saw this nation come into being.

Can anyone here honestly say they think George Washington would refrain from leading his troops in prayer before dinner or a big battle?

The loons are taking control.

[BlessedBeGod]

This makes me sick. If you don't like mealtime prayers at VMI, DON'T GO THERE!

[Russell Scott]

I wonder when Barry "the Devil made me do it" Linn is going to crack down on all the Islamic activity in our public schools. I'm breathlessly waiting.

[Corin Stormhands]

Attorney General and Virginia's next great Governor Jerry W. Kilgore

Mark Warner: 2 years. 8 months.

[Alouette]

Cadet Moses Ezekiel

[cyborg]

Didn't you have some passionate views about VMI? Or was it another FReeper I had in mind?

[E Rocc]

I've never quite understood why a "minute of silence" isn't sufficient in cases like this....each individual can pray (or contemplate) however they like.

-Eric

[Salvation]

This is sickening and sad.

Do you think they will appeal to a higher court?

The laws have become subverted.

Doesn't the rule of majority exist any more. Are we always to bow to the rule of the minority? That's not how our government was set up!

Grrrrrrrrrrr!

[salmon76]

Breaking News: God is unconstitutional

[The Old Hoosier]

RICHMOND, Va. — In an important victory for First Amendment groups,

Blatant media bias.

[Central_Floridian]

I wonder if they think a platoon praying before getting into a gunfight is unconstitutional (praying on government property)?

[RockBassCreek]

Since these were led by student "chaplains" at VMI, this opens the door to again assault the legitimacy of institutional chaplains within the military.

[Elsie]

"In establishing its supper prayer, VMI has done precisely what the First Amendment (search) forbids," a three-judge panel on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (search) ruled unanimously.

What part of "CONGRESS shall make no rule................" do these 3 NOT understand???

[Jim Noble]

Once again, false equivalence between being compelled to pray (bad) and being tolerant of the prayers of others (good).

[FreedomCalls]

"...the extraordinary obedience demanded of VMI cadets doesn't give them the freedom to choose not to participate in what's been called a non-denominational, voluntary dinner prayer..."

But they have the freedom NOT to choose to participate in schooling at VMI!!! This is wholly unlike K-12 prayer where a student is compelled to be at school or face truancy charges. The K-12 prayer is forced whereas the VMI prayer is entirely voluntary in that K-12 attendance is forced and no one is compelled to attend VMI. Prospective VMI cadets are well aware that prayer is a function of VMI attendance before they sign up. This decision needs to be reversed by the Supreme Court else all prayer in the military must be eliminated. What are the unintended consequences? Can you imagine no prayer at a U.S. Marine Corps funeral service?

[stainlessbanner]

sad bump

[Beck_isright]

I feel so sorry for VMI. The doors should close. This once cherished institution is becoming a politcally correct hellhole just like the rest of this nation.

[lentulusgracchus]

"This is extraordinarily important," said Barry Lynn, a lawyer with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State,.....

Nauseating to listen to this liberal shylock playing with himself in public over his shabby "victory": they succeeded in destroying a tradition that connected VMI to Stonewall Jackson, one that had no doubt given Jackson much of his inner strength of character that made him so formidable on the battlefield.

That's liberals for you: moral termites.

[Ligeia]

Brookins