(MintPress) – A Mississippi bill that would reinstitute prayer in public schools made its way through the state’s House and Senate bodies and is now awaiting approval from Republican Gov. Phil Bryant.
Before it heads to the governor’s desk, where it is likely to be approved, the House and Senate will have to reconcile a single bill sharing commonalities passed by provisions in both bodies.
Both bills require local school boards to implement policies that establish a “limited public forum” for students at public events, sponsored by the district. This would open the door to prayer at football games, public assemblies and graduation ceremonies.
The co-sponsors of the bill are primarily Republican, with three out of 20 representing the Democratic party. While the bill does not specifically label prayer specific to Christianity, Mississippi is considered the most religious Christian state in the country, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Legislators who voted for the bill point out that as long as a disclaimer is issued that clarifies the prayer is not school-sponsored, it passes the legal litmus test. Yet others, including representatives with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say it doesn’t work like that. Legislation allowing student-led prayer in public schools was struck down in 1994.
In that ruling, U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate indicated the law was vague.
“As it reads now, any person, including school administrators, teachers or members of the clergy, seemingly would be permitted under the statute to deliver invocations and benedictions at a wide range of school-related functions,” he wrote.
This time around, it seems the same issue is being tested.
“The Courts have never said it’s OK to hold a captive audience,” Bear Atwood, interim director for the ACLU of Mississippi told the Associated Press.
It also includes provisions protecting students from expressing religious beliefs in their homework or classwork, artwork included — students, however, are already allowed to take part in such activity, calling into question why legislators are passing laws that might not be necessary.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Rep. Mark Formby, a Republican and sponsor of the bill, said it was to ensure that rights guaranteed under federal law were further enforced through legislation, providing a frame of reference for what’s allowed and disallowed.
“I keep having parents come to me and complain. This would give clarity to the law,” he said.