Graduation season is a time for recognition, pride in accomplishment……and denying Christians their freedom of speech.
A Pennsylvania high school has forbidden a teen from speaking about God and her faith in her graduation address.
Conservative commentator Todd Starnes reported on several instances of public school discrimination against Christian beliefs this graduation season and this incident at Beaver High School is the latest.
High school senior Moriah Bridges was told by Beaver High School principal Steven Wellendorf that prayer at a public school event–even led by a student–is not allowed by law.
Bridges had planned to address the Lord in her graduation prayer this way:
“Make us selfless. Make us just. Make us successful people, but more than that, make us good people. Lord, surround us with grace and favor everywhere we go. Soften our hearts to teach us love and compassion, to show mercy and grace to others the way that you showed mercy and grace to us, even to the ultimate sacrifice. Help us love our brothers and our sisters deeply. Lead us to bless them.”
Wellendorf penned a letter to Bridges that read, “The selected students may still address their class and indicate the things that they wish or hope for their class, but they may not do it in the style of a prayer and most certainly may not recite a prayer that excludes other religions (by ending ‘in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ’ or ‘in the matchless name of Jesus.’”
First Liberty Institute has taken the case. Attorney Jeremy Dys says he’s asked for a meeting with school officials to educate them on the law.