Home > Newsletter > January 2002

PRAYER IN SCHOOL?

Congressman Ernest Istook and William J Murray

This brings us to the issue of Congressman Istook and the new school prayer Amendment he plans to introduce before Congress this January. In his impassioned letter to me for help passing the School Prayer Amendment, Congressman Istook stated:

"... The events of September 11th have brought Americans everywhere to our knees in prayer. But prayer is still suppressed in our schools. Thus, we need this amendment now more than ever. Students should be able to post 'God Bless America" signs without fear; they ought to be able to pray before a football game or a graduation ceremony; and the Ten Commandments deserve recognition alongside the great laws of our country..."

"It is my hope that we will have your assistance to win the necessary support to bring the School Prayer Amendment to the House floor and secure the votes for passage...."

We can win this battle to restore the right of our kids to pray in school with a champion in Congress such as Mr. Istook. The Religious Freedom Coalition has already begun to help win passage of the School Prayer Amendment. Just days before this issue of the William J. Murray Report was printed, thousands of new school prayer petitions were mailed nationwide. The petitions are addressed to the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. The petition simply asks the leader to allow a vote. We must show the Speaker that there is nationwide support for this Amendment, and tens of thousands of petitions must be delivered to him. If you have not already done so please send a signed copy of the petition to our Washington, DC office.

Some will say, won't this allow pagans and Muslims to pray in the schools as well? Please read some of the stories above. Paganism, the occult, and religions such as Islam already are allowed in the schools under the guise of "diversity". The School Prayer Amendment will simply allow Christian kids to honor God.