Reproduced with permission of Bill Garner, Washington Times

SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST PRAYER AGAIN

By William J. Murray

The same Supreme Court that said Voodoo practitioners in Florida could publicly sacrifice live chickens to their evil gods has ruled that Christians can’t pray in public.

That in essence was the ruling of the Supreme Court on June 19, 2000 when the Justices in a sweeping six to three decision ruled against prayer before high school baseball and football games. The majority decision written by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said, "The [prayer] policy is invalid on its face because it establishes an improper majoritarian election of religion, and unquestionably has the purpose and creates the delivery of prayer at a series of important school events."

The case originated in Texas and Republican presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush was fast to react saying that he was disappointed at the outcome. He had directed his attorney general to intervene in the case on behalf of prayer. Said Gov. Bush, "I thought that voluntary student-led prayer at extracurricular actives was right."

Vice President Al Gore immediately praised the court for the decision against prayer before high school football games.

Oddly, the Justices want the protection of God although they will not allow high school students to seek His protection through prayer. When the Supreme Court assembles each day to hear cases the marshal of the court declares, "God save the United States and this honorable court." Before an attorney can be admitted to argue a case before the Supreme Court he must swear an oath of "So help you God".

The Majority Leader of the House, Congressman Dick Armey, made a blunt statement upon hearing the decision by the Supreme Court. "This decision is inconsistent with the plain language of the First Amendment, its history, and the views of our nation’s founders. This disregard for people of faith is unwarranted." Congressman Armey concluded, "Expressions of faith ought to be welcomed and encourage in America, especially with our young people."

Congressmen Ernest Istook, Republican of Oklahoma has been the foremost proponent of a Religious Freedom Amendment to the Constitution to protect public prayer. In 1998 the congressman worked with the Religious Freedom Coalition to bring about the first vote ever on the floor of the House on a "school prayer" amendment.

Congressman Istook said, " This is the latest step of using the First Amendment to oppose religion rather than to protect it. Unfortunately, it won’t be the last step."

"No matter what they claim the goal is, these lawsuits basically require that religious expression must be removed wherever government is present. That's what the phrase "separation of church and state" has come to mean, and it's why the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court has officially condemned use of the term. That phrase ("separation of church and state") is NOT found in our Constitution; I wish reporters would quote the actual language, rather than this misleading phrase."

(Actual text of First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.")

In 1998 in the 105th Congress, and again in the 106th Congress Ernest Istook introduced the Religious Freedom Amendment to the Constitution. Although we have been unable to get a vote scheduled in the 106th Congress, the RFA did receive a majority vote in the 105th Congress in 1998. Unfortunately a Constitutional Amendment requires a two-thirds vote to pass. Under the RFC the Supreme Court could not have blocked prayer at football games as it has.

The Religious Freedom Amendment reads as follows:

To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion, but the people's right to pray and to
recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.

As a result of the Supreme Court decision, people of faith should once again realize they are under constant attack by those who would make this nation a totally secular state with no public acknowledgment of God whatsoever. The ACLU, which brought the case against prayer before football games, declared what they called a "complete victory". What will be their next target? Give them time and you will have to hide your Bible in the trunk of your car on the way to church. When you get to your church it will be a building with no external signs indicating it is a church, since no cross will be visible. That is the final goal of the ACLU; have no doubt about it.

As chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, I can promise you that we will redouble our efforts to pass the Religious Freedom Amendment. Immediately our program to mail 20,000 school prayer petitions a month to potential RFA supporters will begin again. The Religious Freedom Coalition will coordinate with the offices of the leaders of Congress to once again bring the Religious Freedom Amendment to a vote.