A Carrollton atheist couple is trying to remove the “moment of silence” from Texas classrooms. The moment of silence comes at the beginning of each school day, and follows reciting the pledges of allegiance to the U.S. and Texas flags. During that one minute of silence, according to Texas Education Code, students can choose to “reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity,” provided it does not interfere with or distract another student.
Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel with Liberty Legal Institute, questions the mindset of those arguing against the minute of silence. “You know, it’s hard to understand these kinds of folks who are so intolerant that they don’t want there to be a moment of silence to start the day,” says the attorney.
Liberty Legal Institute has filed a friend-of-the-court brief and will argue for the rights of schoolchildren before the Fifth U.S. Court of Appeals this afternoon.
“We have two Democrat appointees and one Republican appointee on the panel,” Shackelford points out. “But…I hope we are at a day and age where the idea of striking down times of a moment of silence where every kid gets a right to really pray or not pray or meditate or do whatever they want — I hope we’re at a day and age where we’re not that hostile to religion. But we’ll have to wait and see.”
Shackelford says if the case ends up before the Supreme Court he feels confident his side will win. Liberty Legal is representing seven Texas schoolchildren in Croft v. Governor of Texas, Rick Perry.
(Source: OneNewsNow.com)
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