I attend a public high school in Wisconsin and had a little question I was hoping someone could answer. The last few days on the daily announcements there’s been a message for something called “Prayer around the Pole” or something. Basically, before school kids can get together and unite in prayer around the flagpole outside school. I was wondering how this fits in with the whole “Separation of church and state” thing (ok, we all know those weren’t the exact words in the Bill o’ Rights, but you know…). They are clearly advertising a church related activity over a school annoucement system, and also have signs posted throughout school. I’m pretty sure it must be legal, since they aren’t requiring kids to attend or announcing we’ll be damned to hell if we don’t come or anything (in fact I only know very few people who actually plan to go), but if there’s any way to nail them on this I’d love to do it. Thanks Y’all,
Colin
The way I understand it, as long as the school doesn’t start the gathering or sponsor it, it is o.k. In other words, if it is a student get together and the school isn’t involved in it other than school property, or the school doesn’t tell you that you have to go, it is fine. As far as announcing it over the P.A. system or “advertising”, that is really no different than announcing a football game or a pep rally, except that the school is not “sponsoring” the prayer event. As for posters on the walls, the school is just letting the students use the walls for their signs or posters. On the other hand, if the school faculty MADE the signs and POSTED them with instructions that ALL students MUST attend, then they would be in violation of the law.
Out of curiosity, if you aren’t going to attend, why does it bother you? Are they hurting you in any way?
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but if there’s any way to nail them on this I’d love to do it. Thanks Y’all,
Funny you should use those particular words
Is this “Prayer around the Pole” rally being organized by a student club of some sort, and are the assorted extracurricular activities of student voluntary organizations routinely announced over the P.A. system in the morning? The Equal Access Act provides that if a school allows non-curricular clubs in general (i.e., chess clubs and so on) it cannot discriminate against religious clubs. One thing to keep in mind is that if the school does allow a Christian student organization to publicize its flagpole prayer rally over the P.A. system and by putting posters in the hall, it would legally also have to allow the Wiccan Students Association, the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Students’ Union, or the Campus Atheist Society to publicize their “Pray to the Goddess at the Flagpole”, “Stand Around the Flagpole and Be Gay”, and “Hang Around the Flagpole and Not Pray” events.
It’s called “Meet Me At The Pole.”
Do you mind telling me why? What, praytell, are they doing to you?
I have taught at two schools in which this activity was promoted. In both cases it was an innocuous (and short-lived) movement. The first time I heard of this, however, was in my student teaching days. A group of evangelical teachers and student teachers encouraged students to confront other teachers and students publicly about why they hadn’t been at the pole. This clearly crosses the line into the realm of coercion and demonstrates how easily the dull-witted can turn positive behaviors into dangerous ones.
Please note that I feel that these flag meeting are usually positive as long as all religious beliefs are embraced in the school. Unfortunately, this condition seems to be less and less popular all the time.
No, no no, it’s not the kids praying I don’t like. I’d just like to do anything against our administration for allowing something illegal(I kinda have a personal vendetta against the principal). Sorry about the misunderstanding there. I think it’s pretty well been answered that it’s legal, which is what I figured in the first place. I was just kind of curious what the legality actually was. Thanks.
He lives in a county where a majority of the people went to the polls on tuesday and voted themselves a tax increase.
Being surrounded by idiots he must feel an insatiable need to lash back at the system anyway he can and this just may be the answer. By sueing the municipality for millions the taxpayers would be forced to spend their tax dollars funding the [now broke after the law suit] schools rather than building sports stadiums for spoiled millionaire athletes!
Go for it, Bud!
The scientology/dianetic people were giving ‘strees tests’ in the college cafeteria. I figured that it had an okay from the school so I didn’t really lash out on her. But when she tried to push a book on me I just said (very loudly) that I would rather not join a cult.
I maybe somewhat “new” to posting on this board. But, I do post on others. I just can’t quite figure out why it would bother you that their are other kids praying. Why would you want to nail someone else for their actions that are not hurting anyone else. What they are doing I am sure they believe is right. All you have to do is just not be a part of it. If they are not following the guidlines for the laws on school prayer then let the government decide that. Last time I checked it was not up to individuals to decide what religions are right and what ones are wrong. There is a thing called “freedom of religion” In this country. Maybe, we should think of that next time we want to “nail” someone for their right to worship god.
From what the OP said, it sounds like no laws are being broken here. However, if the law is being broken–for example, if the school administration is promoting certain religious beliefs or forcing religion on students–then I certainly don’t think you should just say “let the government” decide. Our constitutional rights are only safe as long as individual citizens are willing to stand up for them.