Cord Byrd: “I introduced a joint resolution on February 6 to amend the Constitution in order to clarify that document's intent with…”

“I introduced a joint resolution on February 6 to amend the Constitution in order to clarify that document's intent with regard to prayer in our public schools. My proposed amendment is short, but it constitutionalizes what the Supreme Court has upheld on a number of occasions; namely, that the Founding Fathers did not intend for Government and the schools to be opponents of religion but rather that they should be neutral and impartial in allowing the practice of all religious beliefs by American citizens and by even the schoolchildren of our Nation. I have long been concerned by the trends in our schools and in our courts to overzealously eliminate all references--all references--to religion and religious practices. The unfortunate effect of this misguided overzealousness has been to send the subtle but powerful message to our children that religious faith and practice is something unsanctioned, unimportant, and unsophisticated--something that only small handfuls of people practice, and usually then only on weekends.”