Church Leaders Gather to Oppose School Prayer Amendment

WASHINGTON — Leaders of a dozen denominations stood shoulder to shoulder outside the Supreme Court on Monday to oppose a constitutional amendment allowing organized prayer in public schools.

“I am a born-again, Bible-bred, Texas-born Baptist preacher,” said James M. Dunn, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. “That’s precisely why I oppose any government meddling in religion.”

The House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution will hold a public hearing today on a school-prayer amendment proposed by House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas). Armey’s resolution proposes to change the 1st Amendment “to further protect religious freedom, including the right of students in public schools to pray without government sponsorship or compulsion.”

It also would prohibit governments from denying anyone “equal access to a benefit, or otherwise discriminate against any person, on account of religious belief, expression or exercise.” That has been interpreted as mandating taxpayer support for religious programs.