Here's before:
A group of Georgetown High School students who have been meeting in the school’s auditorium each morning for a time of prayer can no longer hold the sessions until they get approved by the district’s attorney.
Although the prayer time — held each morning until the first bell rings — has been taking place for years, district leaders say they did not know about it until last week.
Now, after:
A number of students have requested to form a student prayer club at Georgetown High School as permitted by the Board Policy on Student Organizations — IGDA. This club will be open to all GHS students who wish to participate. As required by Board Policy, the club will have a faculty sponsor and will submit a statement to the Georgetown High School administration noting the club’s goals, purpose, and activities.
The club will have permission to meet on school grounds from 7:25 - 7:38 a.m. each morning.
All club activities will be student initiated and student led.
Ministers and church lay people may be invited by students to attend club activities as long as those volunteers meet the requirements set forth by the Georgetown County School District regarding school volunteers. A list of these volunteers will be made available to school administration.
The District does not permit the distribution of any unapproved materials on any school campus. The prayer club will be subject to these same restrictions on the distribution of religious literature.
Students will be made aware of the existence of the club through the use of student-made posters placed around the building.
In closing I hope this eliminates any confusion regarding this issue at Georgetown High School. We plan to put this in place immediately so that students can continue to meet as they have in the past within the proper guidelines.
The outcome is satisfying. Here's some afterthought on this situation in regards to people using such defenses below in the comments section of the original story. (Original Diary for reference)
The more and more I heard and saw about the situation involving prayer before the school day starts and the handing out of opinionated scripture, which really isn't scripture, to children to announce a meeting showed people want to argue something else besides the facts. Let's take a look at what people had been using as defenses.
- This is hurting our children -- Um, no it's not. This is making sure a person who has been on GHS's campus for nine or more years gets permission in writing and is documented for being on campus. This is about the safety of all children who attend the high school. If I have to buzz in and sign into the school as a guest, then all others have to as well. Have people become to complacent in their thinking? Just because religion is used, there should be a free pass. I suppose religious people aren't violent at all, huh?
- This is an attack against God, Jesus -- No. It's a cowardly thing to do when using this argument. I suppose defending laws of our country is an attack against God and Jesus. The Christian Right would have you believe this, but they really don't have a ground to stand on because their actions are an attack against God and Jesus. This situation is about getting a person who wants to be with children on school grounds accredited. That's it.
- It's about separation of church and state -- Yes, it is. Churches don't pay taxes. Schools are funded by the states. You can't have your cake and eat it, too. If people want to solicit religion on school grounds, there are laws to follow. I am sure if someone was to solicit porn on church grounds, they'd be kicked off immediately. But hey, all people are good and great in the Christian Right's eyes - except for liberals.
- The Founding Fathers of this country based the constitution on faith in God - That's an interpretation, not fact. For those who really want to know the truth, I suggest they go here.
Comments are closed on this story.