Written by Don Byrd
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will begin football games this season with a moment of silence rather than continue their tradition of prayer over the loudspeaker. And why not? A state school represents all members of the community, those of all faiths and those of no faith. A moment of silence refrains from associating the school with a particular religious viewpoint and provides participants with the opportunity to pray, meditate or reflect in a manner consistent with their own beliefs.
Members of the UTC Secular Student Alliance called it “an important victory for unalienable rights of freedom from state-sponsored religion.”
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The group said, “We are pleased to hear the University has chosen an inconclusive alternative over the former policy of Christian prayer before football games. A moment of silence provides a solemn and secular alternative to religious prayer and respects the rights of people of all faiths or no faiths.
