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BASTROP, La. —
Graduation ceremonies at Bastrop High School came off without a protest.
And prayer was part of the program.
Earlier this week, a student who identified himself as an atheist sent an e-mail to school officials stating he would file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union if a prayer was included in the program. Morehouse Parish School System attorney Steve Katz advised school officials to remove prayer from the program, citing case law that stated prayer could not be part of a school-sanctioned event.
The program handed out to over 1,000 people who attended the event at the football stadium listed “A Moment of Silence.” Graduating senior Laci Mattice came to the podium and said her faith compelled her to thank God for blessing the class of 2011.
“I now ask my fellow students who wish to join in to recite the Lord’s Prayer,” Mattice said. The seniors standing on the football field were joined an overwhelming majority of attendees.
Principal Stacey Pullen said earlier in the day that additional security officers were requested because of the outcry by atheists from across the country who sided with the student who filed the protest.
Graduation ceremonies at Bastrop High School came off without a protest.
And prayer was part of the program.
Earlier this week, a student who identified himself as an atheist sent an e-mail to school officials stating he would file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union if a prayer was included in the program. Morehouse Parish School System attorney Steve Katz advised school officials to remove prayer from the program, citing case law that stated prayer could not be part of a school-sanctioned event.
The program handed out to over 1,000 people who attended the event at the football stadium listed “A Moment of Silence.” Graduating senior Laci Mattice came to the podium and said her faith compelled her to thank God for blessing the class of 2011.
“I now ask my fellow students who wish to join in to recite the Lord’s Prayer,” Mattice said. The seniors standing on the football field were joined an overwhelming majority of attendees.
Principal Stacey Pullen said earlier in the day that additional security officers were requested because of the outcry by atheists from across the country who sided with the student who filed the protest.
