School Prayer May Get Second Chance in Mississippi
The Mississippi Legislature has sent a bill to Gov. Phil Bryant that would allow student prayer before school audiences.
Senate Bill 2633 is also meant to guarantee religious freedom in Mississippi public schools, ensuring students can talk about spiritual beliefs and aren’t deprived of their rights.
The House voted 108-6 for final passage of the bill Wednesday.
The measure would guarantee student rights to talk about faith in class work, allow them to organize religious clubs and prevent schools from punishing students who pray.
It would also create a path to allow students to pray at school events, like football games, graduations and morning announcements.
It suggests naming such events as “limited public forums” and choosing students to speak at each.
Bill sponsors say school administrators are confused about religious freedom and therefore need the law to keep them from wrongly suppressing religious rights.
