Last week, school employees were reminded they couldn’t lead students in prayer. This applies to teachers and staff at Putnam County’s Upperman High School and Cookeville High School, as well as coaches of athletic teams. This announcement followed a complaint by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a non-profit group. The group pointed to several incidents they say involved proselytizing during school events, claiming that such practices could alienate students of different beliefs.
It’s important to remember that courts have consistently ruled against such practices in public institutions because they can make non-believers and religious minorities feel uncomfortable. The non-profit group emphasized that prayers at public events can offend those who do not share the same beliefs.
A tweet from Americans United read: “A great WIN for C-S Separation! This came in response to a letter from @americansunited who wrote to PCS that there were several instances of prayer and proselytizing at events at Cookeville and Upperman high schools.”
In response, PCS Superintendent Arnold Reed acknowledged the importance of prayer for many students. He noted that while prayer is protected under freedom-of-speech and religion clauses, and under Tennessee law, it must be handled in a non-disruptive manner. Reed discussed recent incidents where Upperman High School seniors were seen praying with leaders from other schools during events like football games. He clarified that the district supports prayer participation as long as it remains peaceful and inclusive.
One parent, Dustin Whitefield, showed support for the team and the tradition of post-game prayer. He explained that the prayer is voluntary and not forced upon anyone. He remarked, “We do realize this is a public school, but prayer has never really come into question before.” Last Friday, Upperman won their game against Stone Memorial High School with a score of 27-9. The victory led to a heartwarming scene where players and parents joined hands in a post-game prayer at midfield.
Parents’ participation in the prayer circle at the game drew positive attention. A photo taken by resident Bob Vick and shared on Facebook captured the moment and the community’s support. Vick commented that the victory felt like a sign to keep fighting against negative forces in society, and the student-led prayer was a powerful expression of faith and unity. The act of solidarity assured players they are supported by their community, encouraging them to express their faith without fear.
In summary, while school rules prohibit staff from leading prayers, this hasn’t stopped students and community members from coming together to practice their beliefs in a respectful manner. The recent events serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining a secular environment in public schools and allowing the free expression of personal beliefs.
