But here in Florida folks persist in their effort to do just that. The latest attempt is a new piece of legislation signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, mandating a moment of silence at the beginning of the school day for all K-12 students in public schools. On the surface, it sounds like a good idea. A bit of time to silently pause and perhaps reflect on the day ahead, is good for all of us. The trouble is, this is a thinly veiled attempt to get around the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state.
On signing the bill, the Governor said, "The idea that you can push God out of every public institution and be successful, I'm sorry, our founding fathers did not believe that." And the signing took place in a synagogue. How more obvious can one get?
It is also rather presumptuous to think anyone can push God out of any place! That of course, is a theological view. A religious view. But there you have it. But the question isn't whether or not God is present in public schools. The question isn't whether or not prayer happens there. God is, and prayer does. Trust me. But my religious perspective, nor that of any one else, should be forced on students. Not at school.
Period.
I concur whole-heartedly. I remember in high school in the 60s a student would read or offer a prayer each morning over the public address system. A close friend was asked to do the prayer. He refused, but he was pressured into it. He gave a meditation on the eight spokes of the Buddhist wheel. He was chastised and never asked to do the prayer again. So much for freedom to pray in school!
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