Written by Don Byrd
There are a few reasons to read this piece at Take Part. First, it tells the story of a school district in Arkansas that decided to shut down 6th grade graduation ceremonies altogether, rather than end the practice of having prayer recited during the event. I am not sure 6th graders need graduation ceremonies, but is this a good reason to cancel?
“The Arkansas Society of Freethinkers is disappointed that Riverside school cancelled its graduation simply because the school couldn’t sponsor a prayer,” Anne Orsi, a member of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, told TakePart. “We think that the students are the big losers in this astonishing display of religious selfishness on the part of the school’s administration. There is absolutely no reason the graduation ceremony cannot continue without forcing the attendees to submit to a public prayer. There is no reason to punish these children.”
Private ceremonies are now likely to be held for Christian 6th-grade students at a local church.
The second good reason to read the article is that it gives a nice rundown of other graduation disputes popping up around the country.
Lastly, author Suzi Parker elicited a ridiculous quote from former Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, explaining why we should allow state-sponsored prayer in school. Check it out.
