The Senate on Wednesday passed a measure that will allow school districts to let students offer inspirational messages, including prayer, at school events as long as adults stay out of the way.
Passage of the bill (SB 98) on a 31-8 vote sends it to the House, where it is thought to be likely to pass. The bill was sponsored by a Democrat, Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando, though all those who opposed the bill were Democrats.
Its approval came over the objections of senators who said the measure will lead to prayers at school events that students can’t get out of, including possibly in classes, and that some young students will have to listen to prayers or risk being ostracized because they come from a different religious tradition than most of their classmates.
"I implore you to protect minority students … and not promote alienation," said Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood. "We want our public school students to get along."
But backers of the bill said the measure is needed to protect the religious freedom of students, some of whom now feel they aren't allowed to offer prayers that the student body, or a large part of it can listen to -- that they're only allowed to pray to themselves or in small groups.
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