RULING WON'T STOP PRAYER, SOME SAY

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bans student-led prayer before high school football games doesn't mean the prayers will stop.

Area school officials and clergymen interviewed said anyone who wants to pray for athletes, cheerleaders or anyone else at games can do so whenever they want. The ruling means no one will speak a prayer over a public address system.

"What Christians are going to have to learn is they're going to have to take it to another level in prayer," said the Rev. William Bird, a Cape Girardeau Board of Education member and pastor of Greater Dimension Church of God In Christ.

Bird likened the ruling to the Bible story that details what happened to Daniel after he disobeyed a decree banning prayer. Daniel was thrown into a lion's den where his prayers saved him, and the same thing can happen today, he said.

"We won't offer prayer at games, but there's no reason to say we can't pray before the games until God gives us a breakthrough," said Bird. "We're going to have to put prayer on the supreme justices: People are going to have to pray that God turns their hearts."

Cape Girardeau and Scott City school districts discontinued public prayer at athletic events a number of years ago. Superintendents of both districts said their policies have been to adhere to court rulings on school prayer even though personal and community sentiment might be otherwise.

"I don't feel that a public prayer exercises undo influence on anyone to believe a particular doctrine," said Cape Girardeau superintendent Dan Steska said. "If prayer has been offered in good taste without an effort to unduly influence anyone, I think most of the people in our area are not only accepting it, I think they're appreciative."

Jackson School District has traditionally invited local clergy to deliver a prayer before varsity football games. Athletic director Kevin Bohnert said the tradition likely began as a prayer for protection when football was an event in which athletes were more likely to be injured.

Bohnert said he will research the Supreme Court decision and contact other athletic directors to determine how the tradition may be altered and continued, if possible. "In some districts they may not have the religious background and traditions, but in a community like ours you hope to see that continue," he said.

Bohnert said: "I'm really disappointed for the state, for communities and for our nation in that respect, because I think, looking at the traditional point of view, that was how a team prepared itself mentally. It was the one time the home team and visitors could get together through prayer."

Cape Girardeau schools athletic director Terry Kitchen said Cape Girardeau football players can pray, meditate or do nothing during a period of silence prior to games. Kitchen, a former coach, said he dislikes the ban on public prayer because he believes in its power.

"My opinion is I like to lead in prayer because I like to think God has his hand on me as a coach and administrator and on our students and athletes," Kitchen said. "If we don't pray for Jesus and ask for him to be at that game, then who's there?"

Kitchen said his experience demonstrates parents like to know "that a coach or instructor is God fearing."

"We were not praying for victory, we were just praying for God to protect us from injuries," he said. "I know there are cases where you have to be careful what you say, but I think there are times when a parent wants to know that that adult working with their child is saved."

Tony Hammack, youth pastor at Christian Faith Fellowship and chaplain at Eagle Ridge Christian School, said the court decision corresponds to a growing desire for tolerance in American society. However, tolerance can be overrated and get out of hand, Hammack said.

"Tolerance is heralded as the No. 1 thing in our country, and that's ridiculous," he said. "There are just some things that are still wrong, but nobody wants to say that because they don't want to make enemies."