The trouble with public places

The Washington Times:

Lawmakers want to amend the state constitution to open schools and other public places to prayer and other religious activities.

Delegate Charles W. Carrico Sr. said the amendment is needed because there is a growing effort to silence Christians.

"I'm tired of hearing when you walk into a school you cannot profess your beliefs because you may offend someone else," the Grayson Republican said.

Mr. Carrico, a retired state trooper, said he tried to use the Old Testament story of David and Goliath to inspire a group of students bound for the high school prom to avoid sex, drugs and alcohol. A parent filed a complaint against him, he said.

Now I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure you can express your beliefs in school as long as you don't do it as some part of school sanctioned or organized event. So, for example, I could talk to my friend Joe at his locker about how great Jesus is, but I would have to refrain from holding a rally in the gym to do so.

I would also not be able to organize a group prayer under the flagpole at school during lunch period. This law, on it's face, would allow me to do just that. And it would allow those of the Jewish faith to perform a bris there when you are done.

This would be, of course, not part of the "growing effort to silence Christians" but rather a part of the necessary effort to uphold our Constitution. And as far as offending someone, well you can do that just aout anywhere. In fact, I'm offended that Mr. Carrico would imply that the separation of church and state is some sort of Christian witchhunt. I'd bet the Jews and the Muslims aren't allowed to hold big rallys in the the gym, either.

That said, it's doubtful this sort of thing would pass Constitutional muster were it to make it out of committee. Of course, that wouldn't stop the Christians from crying persecution even though if it passed other religions would no dout feel the same effect.