Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed into law policies that will allow students at public schools a limited public forum to express their religious views.
Prayer is no longer taboo in Mississippi‘s public schools beginning July 1, just in time for the 2013-14 academic year.
On March 14, Gov. Phil Bryant signed the law, which allows public school students to pray at assemblies, sporting events or over the school intercom.
All public school districts in the state will be required to provide a limited public forum for students to speak in prayer.
A disclaimer claiming that the speech “does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position or expression of the district” will accompany the speeches.
Connor Somgynari, freshman international studies major and president of The University of Mississippi Secular Student Alliance, said he thinks the law could have a negative effect on those who are not taking part in the prayer.
“By providing this forum, (the law) will alienate people with no affiliation,” Somgynari said.
“I would be given dirty looks because I didn’t have my head bowed at a football game.”
Somgynari said he believes that while the majority of the state will welcome the bill, it will not be enforced without conflict.
“There may be issues between religious minorities and nonreligious students being alienated by the majority,” Somgynari said.
“It’s a wait-and-see right now, and I just hope that it doesn’t result in any marginalization of the religious and nonreligious minorities.”
Todd Johnson, campus director for the Ole Miss Fellowship of Christian Athletes, said that such problems could be avoided by the understanding of and the respect for all beliefs.
“We need to understand where people come from, and even if you don’t agree, there should be some respect there,” Johnson said.
“Will everyone handle (the law) properly? No, but that shouldn’t be a case for not having religious conversation.”
Students are already allowed to congregate around schools’ flagpoles to pray and organize campus religious groups. The new law states that students will be allowed to convey their religious beliefs on their clothing as well.
“It allows students more of a platform to share what they actually believe without fear of what may happen to them,” Johnson said.
“Whether it’s Christian or anything else, it’s okay to talk about that stuff, and I don’t think that’s always been the case.”
Ibrahim Huda, a junior electrical engineering major and vice president of the Muslim Student Association at Ole Miss, also welcomed the new freedom.
“It’s a complete personal choice, and no one should impose on the students,” Huda said.
“If they want to do (prayers) on their own, they should be able to.”
Huda added that he does not feel that the law will negatively affect students belonging to a minority group.
“I might not be praying along with the same beliefs, but I’ll be praying for my own,” Huda said.
