Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Montefarle · 08-28-2002, 01:38 PM

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could remember the specific supreme court case ruling against authoritive and student lead prayer at school sponosored football games? I live on the bible belt and every year I've had to listen to a prayer to the Xtian god at the start of every football game and I've decided it's about time I said something about it. I mean, just because it's the bible belt does not give the adminstration the right to force it's view on students, or does it?

Mageth · 08-28-2002, 01:41 PM

<a href="http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/99-62.ZS.html" target="_blank">SANTA FE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DIST. v. DOE (99-62) 168 F.3d 806, affirmed. </a>

Mageth · 08-28-2002, 01:44 PM

<a href="http://www.law.uh.edu/teacher/taco00/5.htm" target="_blank">A discussion of the case.</a>

<a href="http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20000501_dellinger.html" target="_blank">An interesting article on football game prayers.</a>

Montefarle · 08-28-2002, 01:52 PM

Thanks muchly!

GaryP · 08-28-2002, 02:06 PM

I just got this from an attorney at Americans United today. I had asked about whether a HS football player could lead give an invocation at the team's dinner that was held to kick off their season.

Hi Gary,
I am responding to your email which asked if it would be unconstitutional for a student to offer a prayer before a school athletic dinner and/or
pep rally. If the events are school-sponsored, in all likelihood, it would be unconstitutional.

In Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290 (2000), the United States Supreme Court ruled that student-led, student-initiated prayerat football games was unconstitutional. The reasoning behind this ruling
would apply to other school-sponsored events,such as pep rallies or athletic dinners.

Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Allison

Oresta · 08-28-2002, 02:11 PM

Montefarle,
Welcome to the Sec Web. Is this a great site or what? We love a young activist like you. Go get 'em!

Edited for typo. Duh!

[ August 28, 2002: Message edited by: Oresta ]</p>

4th Generation Atheist · 08-30-2002, 01:27 PM

Must be tricky in GA tho. More power to you!

wade-w · 08-30-2002, 11:15 PM

Good luck to you!

Montefarle · 08-31-2002, 06:22 AM

Thanks for all your support guys! I left a copy of the Santa Fe ruling with my principal and guess what? There was nary an invocation prayer to be heard at the game! Woot! Man, I love this site.

wade-w · 08-31-2002, 08:00 AM

Congrats! Glad to hear it. I would have half expected some kind of defiance from them, given you are from the wonderful state of Georgia. I sometimes think this state is owned and operated by the southern baptist convention.

Just curious, what part of Ga are you in?

"Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has..."
-- Martin Luther

08-28-2002, 01:38 PM	#1
Montefarle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: GA Posts: 21	School events Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could remember the specific supreme court case ruling against authoritive and student lead prayer at school sponosored football games? I live on the bible belt and every year I've had to listen to a prayer to the Xtian god at the start of every football game and I've decided it's about time I said something about it. I mean, just because it's the bible belt does not give the adminstration the right to force it's view on students, or does it?

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08-28-2002, 01:41 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	<a href="http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/99-62.ZS.html" target="_blank">SANTA FE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DIST. v. DOE (99-62) 168 F.3d 806, affirmed. </a>

08-28-2002, 01:44 PM	#3
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	<a href="http://www.law.uh.edu/teacher/taco00/5.htm" target="_blank">A discussion of the case.</a> <a href="http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20000501_dellinger.html" target="_blank">An interesting article on football game prayers.</a>

08-28-2002, 01:52 PM	#4
Montefarle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: GA Posts: 21	Thanks muchly!

08-28-2002, 02:06 PM	#5
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	I just got this from an attorney at Americans United today. I had asked about whether a HS football player could lead give an invocation at the team's dinner that was held to kick off their season. Hi Gary, I am responding to your email which asked if it would be unconstitutional for a student to offer a prayer before a school athletic dinner and/or pep rally. If the events are school-sponsored, in all likelihood, it would be unconstitutional. In Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290 (2000), the United States Supreme Court ruled that student-led, student-initiated prayerat football games was unconstitutional. The reasoning behind this ruling would apply to other school-sponsored events,such as pep rallies or athletic dinners. Hope this helps. Sincerely, Allison

08-28-2002, 02:11 PM	#6
Oresta Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,107	Montefarle, Welcome to the Sec Web. Is this a great site or what? We love a young activist like you. Go get 'em! Edited for typo. Duh! [ August 28, 2002: Message edited by: Oresta ]</p>

08-30-2002, 01:27 PM	#7
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	Must be tricky in GA tho. More power to you!

08-30-2002, 11:15 PM	#8
wade-w Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Silver City, New Mexico Posts: 1,872	Good luck to you!

08-31-2002, 06:22 AM	#9
Montefarle Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: GA Posts: 21	Thanks for all your support guys! I left a copy of the Santa Fe ruling with my principal and guess what? There was nary an invocation prayer to be heard at the game! Woot! Man, I love this site.

08-31-2002, 08:00 AM	#10
wade-w Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Silver City, New Mexico Posts: 1,872	Congrats! Glad to hear it. I would have half expected some kind of defiance from them, given you are from the wonderful state of Georgia. I sometimes think this state is owned and operated by the southern baptist convention. Just curious, what part of Ga are you in? "Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has..." -- Martin Luther

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