Editorial: A new prayer for students

America’s moral compass has been taking a nosedive lately.

Our high school students are not afforded the most basic of their constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly because the overtly vocal minority may take offense.

The ACLU, and other ultra-litigious do-gooders, don’t want us to recite the pledge of allegiance to our nation’s flag.

Our school districts are afraid of lawsuits if our kids hold a moment of prayer.

What are our teachers telling kids about the hypocrisy of their actions? Do the Bill of Rights only apply to certain of those among us? Do we only extend Civil Rights to certain classes and races? After nearly 300 years, are we no longer one nation under God?

Perhaps this student’s prayer will be more palatable:

Now I sit me down in school,

where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God,

finds mention of him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

it violates the bill of rights.

And anytime my head I bow

becomes a federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

that’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall,

might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They’ve outlawed guns, but first the bible.

To quote the good book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant senior queen

and the unwed daddy our senior king.

Inappropriate to teach us right from wrong,

we’re told such judgments don’t belong.

We can get our condoms and birth control,

study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed;

no word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,

when chaos reigns the school’s a mess.

So, lord, this silent plea I make —

should I be shot, my soul please take.

 

Amen