A controversy surrounding prayer has erupted in Suffolk County, Virginia. Recently, during a school board meeting, a woman concluded her remarks by attempting to offer a prayer. However, the school board chairman interrupted her, stating that prayers were not permitted inside the school board chamber.
Undeterred, Angela Kilgore invited those in the audience to join her in reciting “The Lord’s Prayer.” This prompted the school board chairman to request law enforcement to clear the room. He then admonished those who had prayed, accusing them of grandstanding and displaying inappropriate conduct.
This incident has raised questions about whether there is something inappropriate about praying for the well-being and protection of students in Suffolk County, Virginia.
It’s worth noting that the First Amendment guarantees a citizen’s right to pray, and the Founding Freedoms Law Center and First Liberty Institute wrote a letter to the school board, reminding them that it is against the law to silence a citizen’s prayer.
“In fact, the Constitution prohibits the government from excluding religious expression from a public forum; it certainly does not require such censorship. We ask that the School Board clarify its policy accordingly, and we would be happy to work with the School Board to craft new policy that does not discriminate against religious citizens or violate their constitutional rights. “When the government encourages diverse expression—say, by creating a forum for debate—the First Amendment prevents it from discriminating against speakers based on their viewpoint.” Shurtleff v. City of Boston, 142 S. Ct. 1583, 1583 (2022),” the law firms said in a joint statement.
