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As Clergy and lay leaders of diverse faith traditions associated with the San Fernando
Valley Interfaith Council, we wish to add our voice to the current national debate on the
possibility of restoring organized, teacher-led prayer to the public schools.
We are keenly aware of the significant contributions which religious devotion and prayer
have made in the history of the United States. We affirm the desirability of more prayer
in the life of all those within our borders.
At the same time, we support the principle of separation of church and state enshrined in
the establishment clause of the Constitution, and we cherish the gift of religious liberty
guaranteed by the free exercise clause. Freedom from government interference in matters
of religious practice has become even more important as our society has become more
religiously diverse. This diversity is sometimes bewildering, but it is also immensely enriching.
As worship leaders sensitive to the nuances of prayer language, we can conceive of no way
in which officially formulated and led prayers could avoid slighting or excluding some of
the students in our public schools. Whatever value such mandated prayer might have, it is
not worth the price of hurting the sensibilities of minorities whose belief and practice
are different. In religion more than in any other sphere, the majority must respect the
rights of minorities. History teaches us that very clearly.
For this reason we strongly oppose any attempt to alter the Constitution or otherwise
provide for officially sanctioned prayer in our public schools. We urge teachers and
students to take advantage of the already existing freedom to pray alone or with groups of
like-minded peers on school campuses, when schedules permit. We urge our elected
representatives to avoid any infringement on freedom of religion, and to put their own
faith to work for the well-being of all.
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