Tuesday, March 17, 2009

"Moment of Silence" still allowed in Texas schools

clipped from www.dallasnews.com
Court rules against Carrollton couple, affirms Texas schools' moment of silence law
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a Texas law that requires public school students to observe a daily minute of silence in order to pray, reflect or otherwise remain quiet.

A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans affirmed a district court ruling, saying the law is constitutional because it expressly allows for any silent use of the period, either religious or nonreligious.

David and Shannon Croft sued on behalf of their three children, who are enrolled in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. The suburban Dallas couple contended that including the word "pray" in the mandatory moment of silence law was a way for lawmakers to advance religion in schools.
The Crofts sued after they said an elementary teacher told one of their children to keep quiet because the minute is a "time for prayer."
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