Louisiana Prayer Law Faces Court Test.

Americans United and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana filed suit last month in federal court, charging that the state's school prayer law is unconstitutional. The suit also challenges specific school-sponsored religious practices at West Monroe High School in Ouachita Parish.

"Public schools are not Sunday schools," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "Government officials have no business interfering in the private religious lives of students."

Joe Cook, director of the ACLU of Louisiana, agreed. "No child should be made to feel like an outsider or a second-class citizen in a public school because of his or her religious or philosophical beliefs," Cook said. "Religious instruction belongs in homes and churches, not in a classroom where young people of many faiths gather."

At issue is an amended school prayer law that was passed overwhelmingly by both chambers of the Louisiana legislature last June and signed by Gov. Mike Foster on July 2. The measure altered an existing statute authorizing teachers and students to call for a moment of "silent prayer or meditation" in public schools every morning by striking the word "silent."

Americans United and the ACLU contend that the legislators' intention was to permit coercive, vocal prayer and religious worship in public schools. They note that the measure's legislative sponsor, Rep. Cynthia Willard, told the House Education Committee last May that she wanted to allow for "verbal prayer" in public schools.

In addition, the lawsuit challenges activities at West Monroe High School, where plaintiffs assert Christian prayers are regularly broadcast over the loudspeaker. Two students who have refused to participate have been harassed and called "Satanists" and "devil worshippers" by fellow classmates. Plaintiffs in the Doe v. Ouachita Parish School Board case have elected to remain anonymous, fearing further community reprisals.

The complaint asserts that Principal Ernest Reed of West Monroe High School has permitted a student to read a Christian prayer over the school's public address system every morning. Last November Americans United attorneys sent school officials a letter urging them to terminate the practices but received no reply.