Focusing on Graduations

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Focusing on graduations

By Ron Brown, The New & Advance (Lynchburg, Virginia), May 5, 2006

The Rev. Jerry Falwell and Liberty Counsel say they are ready to challenge public school officials who disallow prayer and religious references during spring graduation services.

Falwell and Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal advocacy group, announced the campaign Thursday in separate news releases.

Both Falwell and Liberty Counsel President Mat Staver said they chose Thursday to announce the campaign because it was the National Day of Prayer.

The campaign is similar to the "Christmas Friend or Foe Campaign" that Falwell and Liberty Counsel sponsored in December. The new campaign is dubbed the "Friend or Foe Graduation Prayer Campaign."

If contacted, Liberty Counsel will give free legal counsel to anyone who is prohibited from the lawful expression of his or her religious beliefs.

"We want to educate," Staver said. "When necessary, we will litigate."

Falwell said some school systems have resorted to disallowing religious expression during graduation ceremonies.

"Each year, after graduations have passed, we hear horror stories about valedictorians and salutatorians not being allowed to pray during their speeches or include in their speeches their Christian testimony," he said. "In spite of the fact that it is legally acceptable for student to practice free speech in school events, many people in education try to muzzle young people of faith."

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