The Tangipahoa, LA school board, you'll remember, won something of a temporary reprieve recently in their determination to start meetings with sectarian prayer. The 5th Circuit surprised most observers by dismissing the case against them for reasons of standing, despite that issue never having arisen in previous proceedings. In essence, the legal question remains over the constitutionality of the prayers offered before board meetings. Now, the board has announced a new policy for purposes of rotating the prayers among members of different faiths. Of course, there's a catch:
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board approved a policy Tuesday night that would allow clergy in only "established" religious congregations in the parish to lead prayers opening School Board meetings.
Established religions? Established by whom? Will this policy put an end to the legal questions surrounding school board prayer in this case? School attorneys seem to think so. Melissa Rogers disagrees, and offers some common sense advice to those wishing to pray before government meetings.
