Missouri House approves school prayer constitutional amendment

By Chris Blank, Associated Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch , April 5, 2007

Jefferson Cit, Mo. (AP) -- The House today endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to pray privately in public schools.

House Speaker Pro Tem Carl Bearden said his measure is needed because the boundaries between what is allowed and what is not have been blurred by confusion and some outright attempts to prevent religious displays.

"School attorneys will go to the tightest possible interpretation, and once they set that standard for the atmosphere, that's what bleeds out," said Bearden, R-St. Charles.

House members gave initial approval to the bill by voice vote; another vote is needed to send it to the Senate. Exactly one year ago, the House approved a nearly identical proposal. But that measure never came to a vote in the Senate.

The state constitution since 1875 has said that Missourians "have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences."

Bearden's proposal would also add a prohibition against establishing a state religion.

If cleared through the Legislature, the proposed amendment would go to the voters in November 2008, unless the governor calls an earlier special election.

Rep. John Burnett, D-Kansas City, said he believes the measure is an attempt to help GOP candidates by churning up voter turnout among people more likely to vote for Republicans.

Bearden denied that was his intent but said he would be pleased if that happened.

One lawmaker, who is a former teacher and school principal, suggested that more and better teacher training through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would probably do more to alleviate confusion.

Rep. Sara Lampe, D-Springfield, said telling school officials annually what should be allowed and what should not likely would be as effective as changing the state constitution.

If passed, the amendment also would require schools to display a copy of the Bill of Rights.

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