Two high school administrators from Florida are likely thanking God today since a federal judge found them not guilty of criminal contempt charges on Thursday.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) brought charges against Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman for praying at a luncheon honoring private contributors to their school’s athletic program. The ACLU maintained the men violated a court order to keep their religious beliefs to themselves at school-sponsored events. If they had been convicted, Lay and Freeman faced fines up to $5,000, six months in jail and the loss of their retirement benefits.

The judge in Thursday’s case, U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers, ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove Lay and Freeman willfully violated the injunction. She concluded that Freeman’s response was "inadvertent and was based on habit rather than intentional violation." She chided Lay for setting an unfortunate precedent and admitted, "At the end of the day, I do have some doubts about whether you intended to comply (with the court order)." But she said there was too much doubt that Lay intentionally violated the injunction.

The charges were linked to a similar case filed by the ACLU last year on behalf of two students who claimed school administrators violated their religious freedoms. The judge in that case ordered school district officials to stop "promoting, advancing, aiding, facilitating, endorsing or causing religious prayer or devotionals during school-sponsored events." A subsequent case against a clerical assistant in the same school district was thrown out last month. The ACLU charged Michelle Winkler with civil contempt of the court injunction for asking her husband to pray at an event honoring school district employees. In that case, the event was privately funded, and Winkler’s husband is not an employee of the school district.

The new case brought against Lay involved students, school employees and a school-sponsored event. Principal Lay allegedly asked Mr. Freeman to say a prayer before a meal attended by school employees and students as well as the school’s athletic program patrons. The ACLU held that "By directing, promoting, sponsoring or otherwise endorsing prayer or religious activity, public schools infringe on the constitutional right of students, parents, teachers and other staff to determine for themselves their religious beliefs and practices." Lay says that he made the request out of habit. "It’s just something we’ve always done," he explained.

Sixty-one members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, including Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) whose district includes Pace, Florida, sent a letter of support to Lay and Freeman, stating they are "standing with [them] in prayer and support as [they] face [their] trial … because of offering a prayer." Congressman Randy Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the bipartisan caucus, issued a press released expressing concern that "this case signifies an effort to criminalize prayer in America."
 

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Bonnie said:

Ever notice? A Christian teacher prays. The ACLU sues. A Muslim teacher prays. Where is the ACLU? A school allows the Ten Commandments to be taught. The ACLU sues. A school teaches the five pillars of Islam. Where is the ACLU? A school sets aside a room for Christian students to pray. The ACLU sues. A school sets aside a room for Muslim students to pray. Where is the ACLU? Do I detect a pattern here?

September 17, 2009

Thomas Paine said:

We need to use the ACLU for a religous freedom case on our side They are charged to defend the 10 amendments to the Constitution. By their decree, this is very beneficial to freedom loving americans. We need to "infiltrate" the ACLU by asking them to take on a case for religous freedom. Then we can show that they have a good purpose. Why should the atheist get all the free legal advise.

September 18, 2009

Flu-Bird said:

Smash the ACLU The ACLU was founded by a closet communists its a radical bunch who seeks to ban any kind of prayer in public areas it like ACORN needs to be totaly defunded and abolished

September 18, 2009

Bonnie said:

ACLU Athiest, Communist, and Liberal Unity.

September 18, 2009

glynisbethel said:

Principal Frank Lay is a Liar GOD is good. The Bible states that all liars will burn in the lake of fire. I am appalled that Frank Lay started out on a "Danial-in-the-Lion's-Den" valiant stand against a corrupt judge, Rogers's unconstitutional "order." Unfortunately, Frank Lay buckled under pressure and decided that 6 months in jail, a guilty verdict, losing his pension was MORE important that GOD. It grieves me to know that he would lie in order not to go to jail. Paul and Silas rejoiced that they were partakers with CHRIST'S sufferings. In Luke 21:12 it states that the sinners would lay hands on us and commit us to jail, but Frank Lay doesn't want to go to jail and suffer with CHRIST.

September 20, 2009 | url

glynisbethel said:

ACLU=Anti-CHRIST-Liar's-Union GOD is great. The ACLU is doing exactly what they started out to do...eliminate GOD from the public areana and to make CHRISTIANS deny JESUS CHRIST and to also eliminate GOD from the public arena. It is working. The so called CHRISTIANS are fearful and unblieving in which the Bible states they will also burn in the Lake of Fire along with the sinners. Frank Lay is not a hero, but a LIAR in which the Bible states he shall have his part in the Lake of Fire.

September 20, 2009 | url

driveby said:

ACLU = Anti-Christ Lucifer Union

September 21, 2009 | url

bcdrmr said:

... glynisbethel - You're the reason people can't stand "Christians"... the same bible is centered around love and forgiveness in case you've forgotten. get over yourself

September 22, 2009