Missouri prayer amendment passes

[cbayer]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-08-08/missouri-prayer-amendment/56882182/1

By Kellie Kotraba,, Religion News Service Updated 16h 36m ago

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Voters in Missouri overwhelmingly approved a "right to pray" amendment to the state's constitution on Tuesday, despite concerns about the measure's necessity and legality.

Amendment 2, which supporters said would protect the freedom of religious expression in public schools and other public spaces, received nearly 80 percent of the vote.

The language on Tuesday's ballot stressed the rights of citizens to express their religious beliefs and the rights of children to pray and acknowledge God in schools. It also stated that students could be exempted from classroom activities that violate their religious beliefs.

State Rep. Mike McGhee, a Republican who sponsored the amendment, said it would remind people about their religious freedoms, such as reading religious books at school. "It's OK to bring your Bible to study hall," he said.

more at link

[muntrv]

1. When Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists start praying publicly,

how will the supporters of this amendment feel?

[cbayer]

3. If Louisiana is any example, not so good.

Some legislators there who pushed for the school voucher program seemed to think that religious was synonymous with Christian and were surprised that other religions intended to set up schools as well.

[tanyev]

2. Huh. I was too busy doing HOMEWORK in study hall to have time for Bible reading.

[HockeyMom]

6. I didn't even have study hall, or LUNCH,

I took classes instead. Far more beneficial than reading the Bible.

[dballance]

4. Um, I guess they missed that whole First Amendment to the Constitution

Gees, they have had the right to pray since the inception of the USA.

Extending that to the absurd conclusion kids should be able to exempt themselves from a standard curriculum because it might offend their religious beliefs is ridiculous. Creationists say the world is only 6,000 years old. Scientists with carbon dating behind them say it is much older. And, scientists will admit they are wrong in the face of evidence. Not so with those people of 'faith.' They are never wrong. Because "God" tells them so.

[cbayer]

5. Many have described this as completely redundant.

Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[longship]

7. Probably unconstitutional.

There will be a case to challenge it. No way will it be upheld.

[MineralMan]

8. It's a completely unnecessary law.

Everything it includes is already protected under the 1st Amendment. It's just a feel-good law that gives publicity to its supporters in an election year. What a waste of time!

[cbayer]

9. Agree. Really lame.

[MineralMan]

12. This kind of stuff is just about politicians

puffing their chests out and saying, "Oh, what a good boy am I!" Feel-good election year stuff.

[Jim__]

10. I wonder if kids will be able to skip Math class for religious reasons.

... It also stated that students could be exempted from classroom activities that violate their religious beliefs.

There seem to be some religious objections to set theory - http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=37766

[cbayer]

11. Another WOW from me. But here is the good news.

They are all going to score really poorly on their SATs, not go to college and stay out of positions of power.

I had to work hard to find that silver lining, but there it is.

Thanks for the link. Had never heard this one.

[rrneck]

13. I hate to bring you down but...

http://www.phc.edu/about.php

There are more like it. Liberty University comes to mind. I believe graduates from sectarian diploma mills have already served in Republican administrations.

[cbayer]

14. Drat! Had not thought of that.

This is all lunacy. The state of education is dismal already. This is just a new low.

[benld74]

15. ACLU files 1st lawsuit AGAINST- prisoners are not covered by the bill,

bill states something to the effect that prisoners are under federal guidelines.

[cbayer]

16. I just read a stort about that and

Did not understand it.

They also say it is the first of many challenges to come.

It just seems redundant to me, but the devil must be in the details.