Hallelujah for the U.S. Supreme Court and its decision to bar officials
from letting students lead stadium crowds in prayer before football games.
The decision, which will affect other public ceremonies as well, maintains
the proper separation between government and religion.
There’s no question that prayer is powerful, too powerful when
endorsed and exercised by government in public activities.
The uncomfortable question about prayer for public institutions is always,
"Whose prayer?" Christian? Moslem? Buddhist? Hindu? Even among Christian
denominations differences run deep. Prayers can be identifiably Catholic, Lutheran,
Methodist, Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Mormon,
Pentecostal, new fundamentalist—among others. One person’s prayer is
another’s blasphemy. The history books—full of wars over the matter—prove
the point.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court banned clergy-led prayers at graduation
ceremonies in 1992, inventive planners have gotten around it by including student-led
prayers at such events.
The new decision takes clear aim at this. The court makes it clear that
prayer is prayer, no matter who leads it.
A spokesman for the conservative Family Research Council said "The
government’s ‘benign neutrality’ toward religion in this country is now
nothing short of malevolent hostility."
Foolish rhetoric. In fact, the court’s decision keeps
government’s foot out of the religious door.
The court didn’t outlaw speeches at football games, just prayers.
Words of welcome, words of respect for the opposing team, words calling for good
sportsmanship and fair play will always be appropriate—and legal.
