OKLAHOMA CITY – Ryan Walters, the state superintendent, announced the formation of a faith-based committee with the goal of establishing rules for children who desire to engage in religious worship at school.
The letter from six Christian-based organisations, which expressed worry about the lack of Christian influence in Oklahoma’s education, was received by Walters, who claimed this is the result.
“Stripping these fundamental influences has only made education and our state weaker. Our families suffer, our communities become divided, and atheism runs rampant,” said the groups, in part of the letter. The Superintendent made no promises about supporting prayer in classrooms.
“What I would like to do is get a group together – faith leaders, community leaders – and let them analyze it and let them come to their own conclusions about what do we need to do for our kids,” said Walters. Recently, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the subject of prayer.
According to the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District decision from last summer, prayer is permitted in schools as long as it’s not required. Mr. Kennedy’s initial legal counsel was Oklahoma Party Chairman A.J. Ferate.
“Employees of school districts do have a right to pray,” said Ferate. “They can wear a cross. They can, you know, pray toward Mecca on their own time if they choose as long as it’s not interrupting instructional time.”
According to the chairman, school districts might not permit prayer because they are unsure of the law. “I’m hopeful that things like the Kennedy case will provide school districts with that information that they need to be more open about prayer within the school districts,” said Ferate.
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Ferate stated that all religions are permitted to worship at school, despite the fact that the letter delivered to Walters was from a collection of Christian organisations.
“If you are a Muslim student, you have that right to pray. If you are a member of the Jewish faith, you have a right to pray. If you’re a Christian – whatever faith is out there, you have that right,” said the chairman.
Superintendent Walters omitted listing the committee members because the list is still being put together.