At the September 12 home game, during the moment of silence the Oneida High School cheerleaders joined hands and loudly recited the Lord's Prayer. The crowd, once it realized what was happening, happily joined in the recitation.
Now a public debate has ensued concerning whether or not the girls violated the First Amendment. As representatives of a Public High School they are, at least in theory, representatives of the local government. The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment is intended to avoid any government body endorsing one faith over another. In 2000 the United States Supreme Court ruled that even student-led, student-initiated displays of prayer at public schools is a violation of the First Amendment.
Should schools be allowed to pray in this way?
Thoughts?