Illinois teen takes on “moment of silence” law in court.
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
Dawn Sherman is only 14-years-old but she’s working to overturn her state’s new Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act in court.
“My rights were being affected because, first of all, the teacher is being made to stop teaching, and I’m being [made] an audience to something that is heavily suggestive in the direction of prayer because of the title of the act. It’s called the student prayer and silent reflection act,” she says.
On Nov. 14, U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman issued a preliminary injunction barring Arlington Heights-based Township High School District 214 from observing the moment of silence, calling the law too vague and “likely unconstitutional.”
Likely unconstitutional? There’s no likely about it. Anything called the Student prayer and silent reflection act is unconstitutional on its face. Religion does not belong in public schools.
“This was never about trying to require prayer in the schools,” Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood) has said in published comments. “This is a way for teachers and students to [start] their day off in the right way.”
I have a few questions at this point:
1. If this was never about trying to require prayer then why is the word “prayer” included in the act?
2. What is the “right” way for students and teachers to start off their day?
3. If so-called “moments of silence” aren’t meant to be used for prayer then why is it that advocates for prayer in school are the ones who stomp and scream loudest when anybody tries to have them put to an end?
Regardless of the ultimate outcome of this case, I offer a round of applause for Dawn Sherman. 
